How to find and use name tags in Minecraft (2024)

Nametags are probably one of the most useful and fun features in Minecraft. These can help protect mobs from despawning, and give your pet a custom name to create a personal connection. Don’t forget, there are many popular Easter eggs based solely on name tags. Nevertheless, they are not as common or as easy to find as you might imagine. So we’re here to help you find and use name tags in Minecraft, as well as unlock some fun tricks. So, let’s get started!

We’ll first explain the basics of name tags, then explain their generation and usage. Use the table below to learn about the aspects that interest you the most.

What is a name tag in Minecraft?

Nametags are functional items in Minecraft that allow you to name most mobs in the game . Doing so will prevent named mobs from spontaneously despawning and will also affect the recording of in-game actions. For example, if a warden named Bob kills you, the game’s death message will say “Player was killed by Bob.”

Additionally, all mobs named by the player will have a nameplate above their head, and everyone will see their custom name. This is very useful when creating mob collections and differentiating tame mobs.

How to get name tags in Minecraft

Unfortunately, there is no way to create name tags in Minecraft , nor are there any mobs that drop name tags upon death. This makes it one of the most difficult items to collect. But if you plan correctly, you can have all the name tags you need in no time. Let’s see how.

chest booty

Nametags generate naturally in chests in the following structures:

• dungeon
• mine shaft
• ancient capital
• Woodland Mansion

In Bedrock Edition, name tags can also be found in buried treasure chests. Additionally, in both variations of the game, mine shafts are most likely to generate nametags on their chests.

fishing

If looting structures doesn’t go to plan, you can literally fish for name tags in any body of water in Minecraft. All you have to do is craft a fishing rod and wait to catch the in-game treasure: the name tag. This process can easily take several hours, as there are multiple treasure items and there is only a 5% chance of winning the treasure.

Fortunately, you can use the Luck of the Sea enchantment to increase your chances. Alternatively, you can create an AFK farm and let your character fish alone for a few hours.

transaction

Finally, the surest way to get name tags in Minecraft is by trading with villagers. However, this transaction is not easy either. First you need to reach the “Master” level by trading with the villagers in the library. Just do that and you’ll get a name tag worth 20 emeralds . If you create a villager exchange, you may be able to easily obtain emeralds using other villagers.

How to use name tags in Minecraft

Once you have your name tag, it’s time to test this item. So, to use name tags in Minecraft, follow the steps below.

1. First, create an anvil in Minecraft and place it on a solid surface. Then right-click or use the second action key.

2. Next, place the name tag in the leftmost slot on the anvil. Leave the other slots completely empty.

3. Finally, enter the name you want on your name tag into the slot at the top of the anvil . Then just select your new name tag from the far right slot. Please note that adding custom names to name tags requires at least one level of experience.

4. Next, hold the name tag in your hand and use it on any mob in the game to give it a custom name. Name tags will be consumed in the process.

Is your name tag not working? How to fix it!

If name tags aren’t working in Minecraft Java or Bedrock Edition, here are some possible reasons:

• Name tags do not work on the Ender Dragon or other players.
• If you use a name tag on an armor stand, the name tag will be consumed without the name plate being displayed.
• Wandering merchants can be named, but cannot be prevented from despawning. Similarly, changing the world difficulty to peaceful will despawn all hostile mobs, including named mobs.
• Silverfish lose their name when they enter a block.
• Once a mob is named, it cannot be renamed or removed.

Minecraft Name Tag Easter Egg

Nametags are a popular item in the Minecraft community, thanks in large part to the various Easter eggs attached to them. That said, let’s take a look at them all here.

dinner bone or gram

In honor of Mojang Studios’ Technical Director Nathan ‘Dinnerbone’ Adams, the name ‘Dinnerbone’ or ‘Gram’ will turn any mobster upside down . This does not affect the behavior or movement of the mob, but it definitely creates a hilarious scene.

jeb

Naming a sheep “jeb_” in Minecraft creates a rainbow effect , changing the colors of the different dyes. However, when sheep are raised or killed, they only shed wool of their original color. This is a tribute to Minecraft’s lead designer, Jens Bergensten, affectionately known as “Jeb” within the community.

toast

When a rabbit is given a “toast” name tag, it has black and white skin , which makes it look beautiful, but it has a sad history behind it. This skin makes the rabbit resemble user xyzen420’s girlfriend’s missing rabbit. If you’re wondering how this skin came to Minecraft, check out the Reddit post where it all started here .

Johnny

Last, but certainly not least, the most dangerous Easter egg in Minecraft is unlocked by naming your Vindicator “Johnny.” Doing so will make them hostile to all in-game mobs except ghasts and other erasures. The Java edition includes all Ravagers in Johnny the Vindicator’s hit list.

In case you haven’t guessed already, this easter egg pays homage to Stephen King’s novel The Shining, a cult classic psychological horror novel that was later made into a film of the same name. In the novel, a villainous protagonist named Johnny uses an ax to hunt down his victims.

Name tags are useful whether you want to keep mobs around permanently or put them in sticky situations with easter eggs. However, it’s useless unless you give your Minecraft mob a name. So, start by exploring all the Minecraft biomes and collect some of your favorite mobs. However, if you don’t want to travel, you can also use name tags on in-game tame pets, such as wolves. That being said, which mob are you going to nametag first? Let us know in the comments below.