# Forcing Real Names in @mentions
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/forcing-real-names-in-mentions/250880
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [January 5, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/forcing-real-names-in-mentions/250880 "2023-01-05T21:28:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@ChrisTucker](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ChrisTucker)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/forcing-real-names-in-mentions/250880/1 "2023-01-05T21:28:55Z")
I read [this article](https://meta.discourse.org/t/showing-real-name-instead-of-username/174243/1) already on how to force real names instead of usernames in post headers. However, I’d like to at least have the option if not the forced requirement that users’ real names be used for mentions in posts. Is that possible?
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### Author:  [@not-ethan](https://meta.discourse.org/u/not-ethan)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/forcing-real-names-in-mentions/250880/2 "2023-01-05T21:38:33Z")
I dont think this is possible but you can make a custom user field and make that one required.
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### Author:  [@ChrisTucker](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ChrisTucker)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/forcing-real-names-in-mentions/250880/3 "2023-01-05T21:42:21Z")
I’ll just leave it alone then. My users are having a hard enough time adopting. Generational challenges 😉
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### Author:  [@JammyDodger](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JammyDodger)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/forcing-real-names-in-mentions/250880/4 "2023-01-05T21:46:16Z")
I’m not sure how a custom field would work here?
But there is this theme component which may do what you need:
> [@Discourse Show Fullname in Mentions](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-show-fullname-in-mentions/216319):
>
> eyeglassesPreview [https://theme-creator.discourse.org/theme/megothss/discourse-show-name-mentions](https://theme-creator.discourse.org/theme/megothss/discourse-show-name-mentions)hammer_and_wrenchRepository [GitHub - megothss/discourse-show-name-mentions: A discourse theme component to display the full name instead of usernames in @mentions](https://github.com/megothss/discourse-show-name-mentions)questionInstall Guide [How to install a theme or theme component](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-install-a-theme-or-theme-component/63682)open_bookNew to Discourse Themes? [Beginner’s guide to using Discourse Themes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-using-discourse-themes/91966) Install this theme component A theme component to display the f…
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### Author:  [@not-ethan](https://meta.discourse.org/u/not-ethan)
#### Post date: [January 5, 2023, 9:48pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/forcing-real-names-in-mentions/250880/5 "2023-01-05T21:48:30Z")
DIdent know that exists. And I forgot how you cant ping people based on a custom field lol