How to Change What Siri Calls You GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Mobile Phones > iPhone & iOS

How to Change What Siri Calls You

Get Siri to use a nickname, or fix the pronunciation of your name

By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 18, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email iPhone & iOS Switching from Android

What to Know

Siri calls you by the first name that’s listed on your contact card unless the card includes a nickname.Change the first name on your contact card, or add a nickname field to change what Siri calls you.If Siri pronounces your name wrong, say, “Siri, that isn’t how you pronounce my name,” and follow the on-screen prompts to fix it. This article explains how to change what Siri calls you, including instructions for fixing it if Siri pronounces your name wrong, and how to get Siri to call you by a nickname. When you change your name or nickname on your iPhone, it will propagate to your other Apple devices, and the new name or nickname may appear in your signature card, contact card, and elsewhere.

How Do You Change What Siri Calls You

Siri relies on your contact information to know what to call you. If you want Siri to call you something else, you can either change your name in your contact information or enter a nickname. By default, Siri will use the first name listed in your contact information. If there is a nickname listed, Siri will use that instead. Doing this changes your name in your contacts. If you share your contact card with anyone, they will see the name you have entered. Here’s how to change what Siri calls you: Tap the Contacts app. Tap your name/my card. Tap Edit. Tap your name. Change your name to the name you want Siri to use. Tap Done.

How to Get Siri to Call You By a Nickname

If you have a nickname set on your contact card, Siri will use that instead of your actual name. The nickname field isn’t always present by default, but it's easy to add. If you share your contact card with someone who has “prefer nicknames” selected, they will see your nickname. Keep that in mind when setting a custom nickname.
Here’s how to get Siri to call you by a nickname: Tap Contacts. Tap your name/my card. Tap Edit. Scroll down, and tap Add Field. Is there already a blank nickname field on your card? Skip straight to step six instead of adding a new field. Tap Nickname. Tap the Nickname field. Enter your nickname, and tap Done. Siri will now call you by your nickname.

How to Fix It If Siri Pronounces Your Name Wrong

Siri is pretty good at figuring out how to pronounce names, but it isn’t perfect. If it’s close enough, you may be willing to let it slide. If it isn’t, then you can train the virtual assistant to pronounce it correctly by providing it with a sample of your pronunciation. Siri seems to have trouble with some phonemes. If you can’t get it to pronounce your name right, try slightly altering your pronunciation and speaking as clearly as you can.
Here’s how to fix Siri’s pronunciation of your name: Say, "Hey Siri, how do you pronounce my name," to hear how Siri says your name. If Siri isn't pronouncing your name correctly, say, “Hey Siri, that isn’t how you pronounce my name.” Say your first name as clearly as you can. Listen to each pronunciation option, and select the best one. Say your last name as clearly as you can. Listen to each pronunciation option, and select the best one. Siri will now use the new pronunciations.

Why Would You Change What Siri Calls You

There are many reasons to change what Siri calls you. Maybe you don’t like using your given name in most circumstances, and you prefer a different name. Some people prefer to go by their middle name instead of their first name, and Siri defaults to the first name. Some people have long or complicated first names and prefer a shortened version or prefer to go by a nickname. Of course, it can also be fun to have Siri call you something off the wall or humorous. Just keep in mind that the name Siri uses for you may appear in your email signatures, instant messaging, contact card, and elsewhere. Regardless of the reason, you make the change by tweaking your contact card. FAQ Can I change the "Hey Siri" wake word to something else? No, it's not possible to change the "Hey Siri" command. You can, however, access Siri by holding down the Home button (older devices) or by holding the right-side button if your device doesn't have a Home button. Another option is to use Type to Siri. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri and toggle on Type to Siri. Then, access Siri via the Home or side button and type your query. Another option, if Siri is having trouble understanding you, is to re-train Siri to understand your voice. Go to Settings > Siri & Search and toggle off Listen for "Hey Siri." Then, toggle the switch back on to prompt Siri to set itself up again, asking you to repeat a series of questions to help Siri recognize your voice and pronunciations. Can I change Siri's voice to that of actor Morgan Freeman? No, it's not currently possible to have Morgan Freeman's voice on hand to answer your queries. You can, however, change Siri's voice and accent. Go to Settings > Siri & Search and tap Siri Voice. Under Variety, you'll see several diverse nationality options. Tap one, then, under Voice, tap one of the various voice options to select Siri's new voice. How do I type questions to Siri instead of talking? Go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri and toggle on Type to Siri. Then, type in your question or command, and Siri will carry it out. How do I change what Siri calls me on a Mac? If you signed in to your Mac with the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone, then changing your name via your iPhone, as outlined above, will also change your name on your Mac. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Change Your AirDrop Name How to Use Siri on iPhone 12 How to Change Your Name on Google Meet How to Enable or Change AutoFill Information on an iPhone How to Change Phones Without Losing WhatsApp Can You Change Siri's Name? No, But Here's What You Can Do How to Change Your Google Name 20 Ways Siri Can Help You Be More Productive How to Use Apple Watch With Siri How to Make Phone Calls With Your HomePod How to Change Your iPhone's Name How to Make Siri Mad How to Hide Contacts on iPhone How to Use AirPods and AirPods Pro Teach Siri to Pronounce Names and Use Nicknames How to Find Someone on Facebook Using an Email Address Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies