How to Change the Name of a Minecraft Server

The name of a Minecraft server is one of the first things players see in the server list. A good server name can attract new players, while a generic or unclear one might make your server easy to overlook. In this article, we’ll show you how to change your server name, where to configure it, and how to make it look more appealing.

Where the Server Name Is Set

The server name is usually configured in the server.properties file or in the configuration of the server software (such as Spigot, Paper, or Bukkit). Look for the following line:

motd=Your Server Name

MOTD stands for Message Of The Day. This text appears in the multiplayer server list in Minecraft.

Steps to Change the Server Name

• Stop your Minecraft server.
• Open the server.properties file.
• Find the line that starts with motd=.
• Replace the text after the = with your new server name.
• Save the file.
• Restart the server.

After restarting, the new name will appear in the Minecraft server list.

Using Colors in the Server Name

Minecraft supports color codes that allow you to make the server name more visually appealing. These codes usually use the § or & symbol (depending on your server setup and plugins).

Example:

motd=&6Epic &aSurvival &fServer

This will display a colored server name where each section has a different color.

Use a Generator to Create a Better MOTD

If you're not sure how to style your server name or want to quickly generate colorful MOTD text, you can use online generators. These tools allow you to preview colors and formatting before adding them to your server.

Some popular generators include:

• MOTD Creator
• Minecraft MOTD Generator
• RGB Text Generator

With these tools, you can design a custom MOTD with colors, gradients, and formatting, then simply copy the generated text into your server.properties file.

Tips for a Good Server Name

• Keep it short – a few words are usually enough.
• Describe the server type – for example Survival, SkyBlock, or Minigames.
• Use colors wisely – too many colors can look messy.
• Add a short slogan – something like “Friendly Community” or “New Server”.

Example MOTD

&6GoldenCraft &8| &aSurvival &7| &fFriendly Community

Result would be something like: GoldenCraft | Survival | Friendly Community

Common Mistakes

• Using a name that is too long
• Adding random characters or too many colors
• Not mentioning the server type

Changing the name of your Minecraft server is a simple step that can make a big difference in attracting players. By editing the motd line in the server.properties file and optionally adding colors or a short description, you can create a server name that stands out in the list and makes a great first impression.

If you run your own Minecraft server, it’s definitely worth spending a few minutes optimizing the name—it could be the difference between an empty server and a growing community.