# llGetDisplayName

*LSL function*

```lsl
string string llGetDisplayName(key id);
```

- `key id`: UUID of the avatar in the same region or otherwise known to the region.

- Returns: `string`
- Energy: 10

**id** must specify a valid avatar key, present in or otherwise known to the sim in which the script is running, otherwise an empty string is returned. This function will still return a valid display name if the avatar is a child agent of the sim (i.e., in an adjacent sim, but presently able to see into the one the script is in), or for a short period after the avatar leaves the sim (specifically, when the client completely disconnects from the sim, either as a main or child agent).

Returns a [string](https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/string) that is the non-unique [display name](https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Display_names) of the avatar specified by **id**.

```lsl title="How to use" frame="terminal"
string result = llGetDisplayName(NULL_KEY);
```

## Caveats

- To get around the "avatar must be present" limitation, you can use the [llRequestDisplayName](/functions/llRequestDisplayName/) function and the [dataserver](/events/dataserver/) event to obtain the avatar's display name from a key (this is slower).
- There is no opposite function ([llDisplayName2Key](https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/llDisplayName2Key)) available since display names are non-unique.
- Either of `???` or <abbr title="empty string">`""`</abbr> is returned if the region is unable to return display names. This can happen even if display names are enabled on the region, especially the first time a given key is checked. At least one retry may be advisable. Do not rely on this function to verify avatar presence.
- It is possible for `Loading...` to be returned if called before the region has had a chance to resolve the agent's display name.
- Do *not* retry failed attempts indefinitely in a loop. In a few cases, a display name or username will not be returned for as long as the avatar is in the region.
- If you merely wish to show the agent display name in the viewer window, it may be more straightforward to use [Viewer URI Name Space](/features/viewer-uris/), e.g.:

  ```lsl
  llSay(0, "secondlife:///app/agent/" + (string)id + "/displayname");
  ```

## Examples

<details open>
<summary>Example 1</summary>

```lsl
// Best viewed in Chat History (ctrl-h)
default
{
    collision_start(integer a)//Announce who collided
    {
        llSay(0, "llGetDisplayName: " + llGetDisplayName(llDetectedKey(0)) +
                 "\nllDetectedName: " + llDetectedName(0));
    }
    touch_start(integer a)
    {
        llSay(0, "llGetDisplayName: " + llGetDisplayName(llDetectedKey(0)) +
                 "\nllDetectedName: " + llDetectedName(0));
    }
}
```

</details>

## Known issues

From the issue templates included by the wiki article:

- SVC-6290 (bug): llGetDisplayName periodically returns an empty string (`""`)

## See also

### Functions

- [llRequestDisplayName](/functions/llRequestDisplayName/) — Uses the [dataserver](/events/dataserver/) to request avatar information
- [llGetUsername](/functions/llGetUsername/)
- [llRequestUsername](/functions/llRequestUsername/) — Uses the [dataserver](/events/dataserver/) to request avatar information

---

*Source: [LlGetDisplayName](https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/LlGetDisplayName) on the Second Life Wiki. Content from the Second Life Wiki articles LlGetDisplayName (revision 1210705, 2022-04-27), Template:LSL Function/warning (revision 1168838, 2012-06-11), Template:Issues/SVC-6290 (revision 1133895, 2011-02-09) and Template:LSL Function/avatar (revision 1179236, 2013-06-15), CC BY-SA 3.0.*

---

From lsl.dev: https://lsl.dev/functions/llGetDisplayName/