Obtain a name tag from loot chests, fishing, trading with librarians, or dungeon structures
Find an anvil
Place the name tag in the anvil
Type the desired name into the anvil’s text field
Take the renamed name tag from the output slot
Hold the renamed name tag in your hand
Right-click or use the interaction button on the mob you want to name
Use the name tag on the mob to apply the name
Rename mobs such as villagers, animals, and hostile mobs
Use a name tag on a mob to prevent it from despawning
Use a name tag on a mob to give it a custom name label
Use a name tag on a fish bucket mob after releasing it into the world
Use a name tag on a mob only if it is a valid target
Use a name tag on a mob again only if you want to rename a different mob with a new tag