Minecraft Name Tags: How To Find, Create, and Use Them

Written by: Wei

04/05/2023

Welcome to the enchanting world of Minecraft, where creativity and exploration go hand-in-hand. If you've been playing for a while, you might have developed a fondness for the NPCs you've encountered in various villages. Perhaps you've even wished you could give them names to make them feel more unique and memorable. Well, you're in luck! Name tags in Minecraft can help you do just that, adding a personal touch to your gameplay experience.

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In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about name tags in Minecraft, from what they are and how to find them to how to use them effectively. By the time you finish reading, you'll be a name tag expert, ready to personalize your favorite NPCs and make your Minecraft world even more immersive. So, let's dive right in and start discovering the magic of name tags!

How to Acquire Name Tags in Minecraft

Finding a name tag in Minecraft can be an exciting adventure, as these special items aren't something you can craft like most other in-game objects. To help you on your quest, we've compiled a list of methods to acquire name tags, so you can personalize your favorite NPCs in no time.

Treasure Hunting

One way to find name tags is by embarking on a treasure-hunting expedition. In both Java and Bedrock editions, you can come across name tags hidden in chests within various structures, such as:

Dungeons
Mineshafts
Woodland mansions
Ancient cities

The probability of finding a name tag in these chests varies between 30 to 40 percent, depending on the location. In the Bedrock edition, buried treasure chests can also contain name tags, which can be located using treasure maps found in underwater shipwrecks.

Fishing Adventures

If you're more of a laid-back player and treasure hunting isn't your cup of tea, you can try your luck at fishing. Cast your fishing rod into any standing body of water and wait for your catch. Be warned, though - the odds of catching a name tag this way are quite slim, with only a 0.8 percent chance among the 5 percent chance of obtaining treasure.

To improve your chances, consider enchanting your fishing rod with the "Luck of the Sea" enchantment using an Enchanted Book and an anvil. This enchantment increases the likelihood of catching valuable treasure, including name tags.

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Trading with Villagers

If you've amassed a collection of emeralds, why not put them to good use? Visit a village and seek out a Librarian villager to trade with. As you trade with the Librarian and help them level up, they'll eventually reach Master status. At this point, you can exchange 19 or 20 emeralds for a name tag, making it a surefire way to acquire this sought-after item.

Using Name Tags in Minecraft

Now that you've secured a name tag, it's time to put it to use and personalize the NPCs in your Minecraft world. This simple process will make your game feel even more immersive, allowing you to forge deeper connections with the characters you've encountered. Let's explore the steps to use name tags effectively:

Customize Your Name Tag

Before you can give an NPC a unique name, you'll need to inscribe the name tag with the desired moniker. An anvil will come in handy for this task. If you don't have one, you can either find one in a village or craft one using three iron blocks and four iron ingots.

Once you have an anvil, follow these steps:

Place the anvil and interact with it to open the interface.
Drag your name tag into the left slot at the top of the interface, and type the desired name in the text box.
Retrieve the newly renamed name tag from the right slot and add it to your inventory.

Keep in mind that renaming a name tag will cost one experience level. If you're short on experience, go on a mob-hunting spree to level up.

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Apply the Name Tag to an NPC

With the customized name tag in hand, you're ready to give an NPC their new identity. Here's how to do it:

Locate the NPC you wish to rename (note that the Ender Dragon cannot be renamed).
Place the name tag in one of your inventory's hotbar slots and hold it.
Interact with the NPC using the name tag. This action typically involves double-clicking with a mouse or pressing the left trigger on a controller.

Upon completing these steps, the name tag will vanish from your inventory, and the chosen name will appear above the NPC's head. Keep in mind that while a renamed NPC won't despawn, they can still be killed, causing the name to disappear.

Conclusion

Now you can breathe life into your game world by giving unique names to the NPCs you encounter, creating a more immersive and engaging experience. From understanding what name tags are and how to acquire them through treasure hunting, fishing, or trading, to using them effectively with an anvil, you're well-equipped to make your Minecraft adventures even more enjoyable and personalized.

So go ahead, embark on your journey to find name tags and create memorable bonds with your favorite NPCs. As you continue to explore the vast world of Minecraft, always remember that adding your personal touch can make all the difference. Happy naming!