How To Create a Name Tag In Minecraft

Introduction.

If you’ve been playing Minecraft for a while, you’ve probably run into the problem of losing track of your favourite pets, mobs, or even certain villagers.

The world of Minecraft is vast, and your furry, blocky friends can easily wander off or blend in with the rest.

That’s where name tags come in handy. They allow you to give unique names to creatures, making it much easier to keep track of them and, of course, personalize your gameplay.

But here’s the catch—unlike many items in Minecraft, you can’t craft a name tag. So how do you get one? How do you use it? Let me break it down.

What are Name Tags in Minecraft?

Name tags in Minecraft are special items used to assign custom names to mobs and prevent them from despawning.

For example, if you find a rare horse, you can use a name tag to give it a custom name.

This not only adds a personal touch but also ensures the mob stays in your world even if you wander far from home.

It’s a useful tool, especially for naming your pets, special animals, or even mobs you want to keep around for various purposes (like the iconic “Dinnerbone” trick that flips mobs upside down).

How Do I Get a Name Tag in Minecraft?

You won’t find a recipe for crafting a name tag in Minecraft. Instead, they have to be found through exploration, trading, or fishing.

1. Loot from Chests

The easiest way to find name tags early in the game is by looting chests. Here’s where to look:

Dungeons: Name tags are a relatively common item in dungeon chests. Dungeons are found underground and usually contain a mob spawner along with a few loot chests.
Mineshafts: Another good place to find name tags. These abandoned mines often contain chests in minecarts.
Woodland Mansions: This is more of a late-game approach since woodland mansions can be hard to locate, but their chests often hold valuable items like name tags.
Bastion Remnants (in the Nether): Another end-game option with loot-filled chests.

2. Fishing

Surprisingly, name tags can also be obtained through fishing. By using a fishing rod with the “Luck of the Sea” enchantment, you’ll increase your chances of pulling up treasure, including name tags. This is the most chill way to get one, but it can take a while unless you’ve maxed out your fishing setup.

3. Villager Trading

You can trade for name tags with librarian villagers. Once a librarian reaches Journeyman level, they offer name tags for about 20 emeralds. This is often the most reliable method, especially if you have an emerald farm or are trading frequently.

How Do I Use a Name Tag in Minecraft?

Once you’ve got a name tag, using it is straightforward, but there are a few steps to follow:

1. Anvil Required

You’ll need an anvil to rename the name tag. Place the anvil down, open its interface, and drag the name tag into the first slot. In the box where it says “Name Tag,” type the name you want. Keep in mind that each renaming will cost 1 experience level.

2. Applying the Name Tag

Once you’ve renamed the name tag, hold it in your hand and right-click (or left-trigger on consoles) on the mob you want to name. You’ll see the name you chose appear above the mob, and voila! Your mob is now officially named and will never despawn.

Special Name Tag Easter Eggs

Minecraft has a few hidden tricks you can pull off using name tags:

“Dinnerbone” or “Grumm”: Naming any mob “Dinnerbone” or “Grumm” will turn it upside down, which is a fun way to mess around with your mobs.
“jeb_”: If you name a sheep “jeb_,” it will cycle through all the colors of wool, creating a rainbow effect. However, this doesn’t change the color of wool it drops—just its appearance.
“Toast”: Naming a rabbit “Toast” gives it a unique black and white appearance. This is a tribute to a user’s lost rabbit, immortalized in the game.

Pros and Cons of Using Name Tags in Minecraft

Like everything in Minecraft, name tags come with their upsides and downsides. Let’s take a quick look.

Pros:

Prevents Despawning: Named mobs stay in your world forever, which is handy for rare creatures or pets.
Customization: Adds a personal touch to your pets and mobs, making them feel more unique.
Easter Eggs: Using special names adds fun quirks like upside-down mobs or rainbow sheep.

Cons:

Not Craftable: The fact that you can’t craft name tags makes them a bit harder to come by, especially in survival mode.
Cost in Levels: Renaming items on an anvil costs experience points, which can add up if you’re doing it often.
Limited Uses: Aside from naming mobs and a few Easter eggs, name tags don’t have many in-game functions.

Conclusion.

Name tags are one of those little Minecraft features that can add a lot of personality to your game. Whether you’re keeping track of a beloved pet or just enjoying a bit of humor with a “Dinnerbone” upside-down mob, they offer plenty of creative options.

But the question remains—how do you plan on using name tags in your world? Have you discovered any other fun ways to make the most out of them?