Name Tag — Minecraft block

Name Tag

Name Tag is the only item that renames mobs in Minecraft — rename it on an anvil, then use it on a mob to display the name and stop it from despawning.

Block ID minecraft:name_tag
Mod Vanilla
Game versions
1.21

Description

Name Tag is a special utility item in Minecraft used to give a permanent name to almost any mob. Name Tag cannot be crafted in survival — players obtain Name Tag by fishing it up as treasure, by finding it in dungeon, mineshaft, woodland mansion, and ancient city loot chests, or by trading about 20 emeralds with a master-level Librarian villager. Blank Name Tags stack up to 64, and Name Tag was added to Java Edition in version 1.6.1.

To use a Name Tag, rename it on an anvil first — this costs at least one experience level — then use the renamed Name Tag on the target mob to apply the name. A named mob displays its name above its head and never despawns, which makes Name Tag essential for keeping pets, trapped mobs, and unique farm animals loaded. Name Tag also unlocks several Easter eggs: naming a sheep "jeb_" cycles its wool through rainbow colors, naming any mob "Dinnerbone" or "Grumm" flips it upside down, and naming a Vindicator "Johnny" turns it hostile to all other mobs. Name Tag works on every mob except the Ender Dragon and other players.

Java & Bedrock Guide

How to use a Name Tag in Minecraft

  1. 1

    Get a Name Tag

    Obtain a Name Tag by fishing, by looting dungeon, mineshaft, or woodland mansion chests, or by trading about 20 emeralds with a master-level Librarian villager.

  2. 2

    Rename it on an anvil

    Place the Name Tag in an anvil and type the name you want. This costs at least one experience level and must be done before the tag will work on a mob.

  3. 3

    Use it on a mob

    Hold the renamed Name Tag and use it on the mob you want to name. The name appears above the mob and the Name Tag is consumed.

  4. 4

    Keep the mob loaded

    A named mob no longer despawns, so use the Name Tag on pets, villagers, or trapped mobs you want to keep permanently.

Important

A blank Name Tag does nothing when used on a mob — it must be renamed on an anvil first. The Ender Dragon and other players cannot be named.

How to craft this block

Ingredients:
Iron Nugget Iron Nugget x1
Paper Paper x1
Crafting
Iron Nugget
Paper
Name Tag
1
Name Tag

Related blocks

Frequently asked questions

Can you craft a Name Tag in Minecraft?

No. Name Tag has no crafting recipe in survival. You obtain it by fishing, from loot chests, or by trading roughly 20 emeralds with a master-level Librarian villager.

How do you use a Name Tag?

Rename the Name Tag on an anvil first, then use it on the mob you want to name. The name shows above the mob and the mob stops despawning.

What does naming a mob 'Dinnerbone' do?

Naming any mob 'Dinnerbone' or 'Grumm' with a Name Tag flips it upside down. It is a cosmetic Easter egg and does not change the mob's behavior.

Does a Name Tag stop mobs from despawning?

Yes. A mob named with a Name Tag will not despawn naturally, which is why Name Tags are used to protect pets and unique mobs.

Can you name the Ender Dragon with a Name Tag?

No. The Ender Dragon and other players cannot be renamed. A Name Tag works on nearly every other mob in the game.

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