The User Name Indicator
In macOS, the menu bar acts as a persistent hub for system information. In older versions of macOS (and currently if Fast User Switching is enabled), you may see your full User Name (e.g., “John Doe”) displayed prominently on the far right side of the menu bar, next to the clock and Control Center icons. This feature is designed to make it immediately obvious who is currently logged into the machine, which is helpful in environments like computer labs or shared family iMacs where multiple people frequently swap profiles.
However, if you are using a personal MacBook that only you ever log into, having your name permanently plastered across the top of your screen is a massive waste of menu bar space. As the “notch” on modern MacBooks continues to reduce the available horizontal area for menu bar icons, reclaiming this space becomes essential. If you don’t need a constant reminder of your own name, you should hide this user indicator.
How to Hide the User Name
You can remove your name from the menu bar via the System Settings.
- Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings… (or System Preferences).
- In the left-hand sidebar, click on Control Center.
- Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the right-hand pane, looking for the Menu Bar Only section.
- Locate the entry for Fast User Switching.
- Next to it, you will see a dropdown menu. If your name is currently visible, this is likely set to “Show User Name” or “Show Full Name”.
- Click the dropdown menu and change it to Don’t Show (or alternatively, change it to “Show Icon” if you still want the functionality but in a much smaller footprint).
Your name will instantly disappear from the menu bar, freeing up significant space for other application icons.