diff --git a/src/components/KnownFollowers.tsx b/src/components/KnownFollowers.tsx
index 3b0280805..ab86bfd50 100644
--- a/src/components/KnownFollowers.tsx
+++ b/src/components/KnownFollowers.tsx
@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@ import {
   shouldShowFollowedByText,
 } from '#/lib/metrics-display'
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {useEnableSquareAvatars} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-avatars'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {UserAvatar} from '#/view/com/util/UserAvatar'
 import {atoms as a, useTheme} from '#/alf'
 import {PlusSmall_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as Plus} from '#/components/icons/Plus'
@@ -120,6 +121,7 @@ function KnownFollowersInner({
   const t = useTheme()
   const {t: l} = useLingui()
   const enableSquareAvatars = useEnableSquareAvatars()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   const textStyle = [a.text_sm, a.leading_snug, t.atoms.text_contrast_medium]
   const showText = shouldShowFollowedByText(followedByDisplay)
@@ -130,10 +132,10 @@ function KnownFollowersInner({
     return {
       profile: {
         ...f,
-        displayName: sanitizeDisplayName(
-          f.displayName || f.handle,
-          moderation.ui('displayName'),
-        ),
+        displayName: getAuthorPrimaryName(f, {
+          hideDisplayNames,
+          moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+        }),
       },
       moderation,
     }
diff --git a/src/components/ProfileCard.tsx b/src/components/ProfileCard.tsx
index 9ea553aea..0ee45701b 100644
--- a/src/components/ProfileCard.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ProfileCard.tsx
@@ -17,10 +17,11 @@ import {getModerationCauseKey} from '#/lib/moderation'
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
 import {forceLTR} from '#/lib/strings/bidi'
 import {NON_BREAKING_SPACE} from '#/lib/strings/constants'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {useProfileShadow} from '#/state/cache/profile-shadow'
 import {useConfirmFollowUnfollow} from '#/state/preferences/confirm-follow-unfollow'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useShowFollowsYouBadge} from '#/state/preferences/show-follows-you-badge'
 import {useProfileFollowMutationQueue} from '#/state/queries/profile'
 import {type SessionAccount, useSession} from '#/state/session'
@@ -149,6 +150,7 @@ export function Link({
   profile: bsky.profile.AnyProfileView
 } & Omit<LinkProps, 'to' | 'label'>) {
   const {t: l} = useLingui()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   const profileURL = makeProfileLink({
     did: profile.did,
@@ -158,9 +160,9 @@ export function Link({
   return (
     <InternalLink
       testID={`profileCard-${profile.handle}-link`}
-      label={l`View ${
-        profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle)
-      }’s profile`}
+      label={l`View ${getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {
+        hideDisplayNames,
+      })}’s profile`}
       to={profileURL}
       style={[a.flex_col, style]}
       {...rest}>
@@ -254,11 +256,12 @@ function InlineNameAndHandle({
   moderationOpts: ModerationOpts
 }) {
   const t = useTheme()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
   const moderation = moderateProfile(profile, moderationOpts)
-  const name = sanitizeDisplayName(
-    profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-    moderation.ui('displayName'),
-  )
+  const name = getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+    moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+  })
   const handle = sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, '@')
   return (
     <View style={[a.flex_row, a.align_end, a.flex_shrink]}>
@@ -268,7 +271,7 @@ function InlineNameAndHandle({
           a.font_semi_bold,
           a.leading_tight,
           a.flex_shrink_0,
-          {maxWidth: '70%'},
+          {maxWidth: hideDisplayNames ? '100%' : '70%'},
         ]}
         numberOfLines={1}>
         {forceLTR(name)}
@@ -281,16 +284,18 @@ function InlineNameAndHandle({
         ]}>
         <ProfileBadges profile={profile} size="sm" />
       </View>
-      <Text
-        emoji
-        style={[
-          a.leading_tight,
-          t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
-          {flexShrink: 10},
-        ]}
-        numberOfLines={1}>
-        {NON_BREAKING_SPACE + handle}
-      </Text>
+      {!hideDisplayNames && (
+        <Text
+          emoji
+          style={[
+            a.leading_tight,
+            t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
+            {flexShrink: 10},
+          ]}
+          numberOfLines={1}>
+          {NON_BREAKING_SPACE + handle}
+        </Text>
+      )}
     </View>
   )
 }
@@ -306,11 +311,12 @@ export function Name({
   style?: StyleProp<ViewStyle>
   textStyle?: StyleProp<TextStyle>
 }) {
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
   const moderation = moderateProfile(profile, moderationOpts)
-  const name = sanitizeDisplayName(
-    profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-    moderation.ui('displayName'),
-  )
+  const name = getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+    moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+  })
   return (
     <View style={[a.flex_row, a.align_center, a.max_w_full, style]}>
       <Text
@@ -339,6 +345,10 @@ export function Handle({
   textStyle?: StyleProp<TextStyle>
 }) {
   const t = useTheme()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  if (hideDisplayNames) {
+    return null
+  }
   const handle = sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, '@')
 
   return (
@@ -510,6 +520,11 @@ export function FollowButtonInner({
     account => account.did !== currentAccount?.did,
   )
   const confirmFollowUnfollow = useConfirmFollowUnfollow()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const authorName = getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+    moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+  })
   const promptControl = Prompt.usePromptControl()
   const [confirmationAction, setConfirmationAction] = useState<'follow' | 'unfollow'>('follow')
   const [pendingEphemeralAccount, setPendingEphemeralAccount] =
@@ -519,10 +534,7 @@ export function FollowButtonInner({
     try {
       await queueFollow()
       Toast.show(
-        l`Following ${sanitizeDisplayName(
-          profile.displayName || profile.handle,
-          moderation.ui('displayName'),
-        )}`,
+        l`Following ${authorName}`,
       )
       onPressProp?.(e)
       onFollow?.()
@@ -540,10 +552,7 @@ export function FollowButtonInner({
     try {
       await queueUnfollow()
       Toast.show(
-        l`No longer following ${sanitizeDisplayName(
-          profile.displayName || profile.handle,
-          moderation.ui('displayName'),
-        )}`,
+        l`No longer following ${authorName}`,
       )
       onPressProp?.(e)
     } catch (e) {
@@ -678,10 +687,7 @@ export function FollowButtonInner({
       {confirmFollowUnfollow && (
         <FollowConfirmationDialog
           control={promptControl}
-          displayName={sanitizeDisplayName(
-            profile.displayName || profile.handle,
-            moderation.ui('displayName'),
-          )}
+          displayName={authorName}
           handle={profile.handle}
           actionType={confirmationAction}
           onConfirm={onConfirm}
diff --git a/src/components/ProfileHoverCard/index.web.tsx b/src/components/ProfileHoverCard/index.web.tsx
index 378f6e877..3fd27180e 100644
--- a/src/components/ProfileHoverCard/index.web.tsx
+++ b/src/components/ProfileHoverCard/index.web.tsx
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ import {
 import {getModerationCauseKey} from '#/lib/moderation'
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
 import {type NavigationProp} from '#/lib/routes/types'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
-import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {useProfileShadow} from '#/state/cache/profile-shadow'
 import {useConfirmFollowUnfollow} from '#/state/preferences/confirm-follow-unfollow'
 import {useEnableSquareButtons} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-buttons'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {
   useFollowedByMetricsDisplay,
   useFollowersMetricsDisplay,
@@ -509,6 +509,11 @@ function Inner({
     logContext: 'ProfileHoverCard',
   })
   const confirmFollowUnfollow = useConfirmFollowUnfollow()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const authorPrimaryName = getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+    moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+  })
   const isBlockedUser =
     profile.viewer?.blocking ||
     profile.viewer?.blockedBy ||
@@ -544,10 +549,7 @@ function Inner({
       onRequestFollowConfirmation({
         actionType: 'follow',
         onConfirm: follow,
-        displayName: sanitizeDisplayName(
-          profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-          moderation.ui('displayName'),
-        ),
+        displayName: authorPrimaryName,
         handle: profile.handle,
       })
     } else {
@@ -557,9 +559,8 @@ function Inner({
     confirmFollowUnfollow,
     follow,
     onRequestFollowConfirmation,
-    profile.displayName,
+    authorPrimaryName,
     profile.handle,
-    moderation,
   ])
 
   const handleUnfollow = useCallback(() => {
@@ -567,10 +568,7 @@ function Inner({
       onRequestFollowConfirmation({
         actionType: 'unfollow',
         onConfirm: unfollow,
-        displayName: sanitizeDisplayName(
-          profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-          moderation.ui('displayName'),
-        ),
+        displayName: authorPrimaryName,
         handle: profile.handle,
       })
     } else {
@@ -580,9 +578,8 @@ function Inner({
     confirmFollowUnfollow,
     unfollow,
     onRequestFollowConfirmation,
-    profile.displayName,
+    authorPrimaryName,
     profile.handle,
-    moderation,
   ])
 
   return (
@@ -663,10 +660,7 @@ function Inner({
                 a.font_semi_bold,
                 a.self_start,
               ]}>
-              {sanitizeDisplayName(
-                profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-                moderation.ui('displayName'),
-              )}
+              {authorPrimaryName}
             </Text>
             <ProfileBadges
               profile={profile}
diff --git a/src/lib/getUserDisplayName.ts b/src/lib/getUserDisplayName.ts
index 790bb31e5..88cbb2677 100644
--- a/src/lib/getUserDisplayName.ts
+++ b/src/lib/getUserDisplayName.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,10 @@ import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 
 export function getUserDisplayName<
   T extends {displayName?: string; handle: string; [key: string]: any},
->(props: T): string {
+>(props: T, hideDisplayNames = false): string {
+  if (hideDisplayNames) {
+    return sanitizeHandle(props.handle)
+  }
   return sanitizeDisplayName(
     props.displayName || sanitizeHandle(props.handle, '@'),
   )
diff --git a/src/lib/moderation/create-sanitized-display-name.ts b/src/lib/moderation/create-sanitized-display-name.ts
index d15564d38..b09d62e6d 100644
--- a/src/lib/moderation/create-sanitized-display-name.ts
+++ b/src/lib/moderation/create-sanitized-display-name.ts
@@ -8,10 +8,15 @@ export function createSanitizedDisplayName(
   profile: bsky.profile.AnyProfileView,
   noAt = false,
   moderation?: ModerationUI,
+  hideDisplayNames = false,
 ) {
-  if (profile.displayName != null && profile.displayName !== '') {
+  if (
+    !hideDisplayNames &&
+    profile.displayName != null &&
+    profile.displayName !== ''
+  ) {
     return sanitizeDisplayName(profile.displayName, moderation)
   } else {
-    return sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, noAt ? '' : '@')
+    return sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, noAt || hideDisplayNames ? '' : '@')
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/lib/strings/display-names.ts b/src/lib/strings/display-names.ts
index 612a317ea..3b196dc49 100644
--- a/src/lib/strings/display-names.ts
+++ b/src/lib/strings/display-names.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 import {type ModerationUI} from '@atproto/api'
 
+import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
+
 // \u2705 = ✅
 // \u2713 = ✓
 // \u2714 = ✔
@@ -26,16 +28,41 @@ export function sanitizeDisplayName(
   return ''
 }
 
+/**
+ * Primary identity label for an author. When hideDisplayNames is on, returns
+ * the bare handle (e.g. alice.bsky.social) instead of a custom display name.
+ */
+export function getAuthorPrimaryName(
+  author: {displayName?: string; handle: string},
+  opts?: {
+    hideDisplayNames?: boolean
+    moderation?: ModerationUI
+  },
+): string {
+  if (opts?.hideDisplayNames) {
+    return sanitizeHandle(author.handle)
+  }
+  return sanitizeDisplayName(
+    author.displayName || sanitizeHandle(author.handle),
+    opts?.moderation,
+  )
+}
+
 export function combinedDisplayName({
   handle,
   displayName,
+  hideDisplayNames,
 }: {
   handle?: string
   displayName?: string
+  hideDisplayNames?: boolean
 }): string {
   if (!handle) {
     return ''
   }
+  if (hideDisplayNames) {
+    return sanitizeHandle(handle)
+  }
   return displayName
     ? `${sanitizeDisplayName(displayName)} (@${handle})`
     : `@${handle}`
diff --git a/src/screens/PostThread/components/ThreadItemAnchor.tsx b/src/screens/PostThread/components/ThreadItemAnchor.tsx
index fdbed21e2..556a758bf 100644
--- a/src/screens/PostThread/components/ThreadItemAnchor.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/PostThread/components/ThreadItemAnchor.tsx
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import {
   shouldShowThreadExpandedMetric,
 } from '#/lib/metrics-display'
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {niceDate} from '#/lib/strings/time'
 import {
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import {FeedFeedbackProvider, useFeedFeedback} from '#/state/feed-feedback'
 import {useCompactPosts} from '#/state/preferences/compact-posts'
 import {useEnableSquareAvatars} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-avatars'
 import {useEnableSquareButtons} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-buttons'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useHideScaryFollowButtons} from '#/state/preferences/hide-scary-follow-buttons'
 import {
   useLikesMetricsDisplay,
@@ -271,10 +272,11 @@ const ThreadItemAnchorInner = memo(function ThreadItemAnchorInner({
 
   const threadRootUri = record.reply?.root?.uri || post.uri
   const authorHref = makeProfileLink(post.author)
-  const displayName = sanitizeDisplayName(
-    post.author.displayName || sanitizeHandle(post.author.handle),
-    moderation.ui('displayName'),
-  )
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const displayName = getAuthorPrimaryName(post.author, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+    moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+  })
   const isAllLowercaseDisplayName =
     displayName === displayName.toLowerCase() && /[a-z]/.test(displayName)
   const isThreadAuthor = getThreadAuthor(post, record) === currentAccount?.did
@@ -411,7 +413,7 @@ const ThreadItemAnchorInner = memo(function ThreadItemAnchorInner({
           <View
             style={[
               a.flex_row,
-              a.align_start,
+              hideDisplayNames ? a.align_center : a.align_start,
               isCompactPosts ? a.gap_sm : a.gap_md,
               isCompactPosts ? a.pb_sm : a.pb_md,
             ]}>
@@ -429,13 +431,19 @@ const ThreadItemAnchorInner = memo(function ThreadItemAnchorInner({
               to={authorHref}
               style={[
                 a.flex_1,
-                isCompactPosts && {
-                  marginTop: isAllLowercaseDisplayName ? -4 : -3,
-                },
+                isCompactPosts &&
+                  !hideDisplayNames && {
+                    marginTop: isAllLowercaseDisplayName ? -4 : -3,
+                  },
               ]}
               label={displayName}
               onPress={onOpenAuthor}>
-              <View style={[a.flex_1, a.align_start]}>
+              <View
+                style={[
+                  a.flex_1,
+                  a.align_start,
+                  hideDisplayNames && a.justify_center,
+                ]}>
                 <ProfileHoverCard did={post.author.did} style={[a.w_full]}>
                   <View style={[a.flex_row, a.align_center]}>
                     <Text
@@ -465,15 +473,17 @@ const ThreadItemAnchorInner = memo(function ThreadItemAnchorInner({
                       />
                     </View>
                   </View>
-                  <Text
-                    style={[
-                      isCompactPosts ? a.text_sm : a.text_md,
-                      a.leading_snug,
-                      t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
-                    ]}
-                    numberOfLines={1}>
-                    {sanitizeHandle(post.author.handle, '@')}
-                  </Text>
+                  {!hideDisplayNames && (
+                    <Text
+                      style={[
+                        isCompactPosts ? a.text_sm : a.text_md,
+                        a.leading_snug,
+                        t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
+                      ]}
+                      numberOfLines={1}>
+                      {sanitizeHandle(post.author.handle, '@')}
+                    </Text>
+                  )}
                 </ProfileHoverCard>
               </View>
             </Link>
diff --git a/src/screens/Profile/Header/DisplayName.tsx b/src/screens/Profile/Header/DisplayName.tsx
index 684a9fe53..dc5b0191d 100644
--- a/src/screens/Profile/Header/DisplayName.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Profile/Header/DisplayName.tsx
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import {View} from 'react-native'
 import {type AppBskyActorDefs, type ModerationDecision} from '@atproto/api'
 
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
-import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {type Shadow} from '#/state/cache/types'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {atoms as a, platform, useBreakpoints, useTheme} from '#/alf'
 import {ProfileBadges} from '#/components/ProfileBadges'
 import {Text} from '#/components/Typography'
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ export function ProfileHeaderDisplayName({
 }) {
   const t = useTheme()
   const {gtMobile} = useBreakpoints()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   return (
     <View>
@@ -30,10 +31,10 @@ export function ProfileHeaderDisplayName({
           a.font_bold,
           a.leading_tight,
         ]}>
-        {sanitizeDisplayName(
-          profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-          moderation.ui('displayName'),
-        )}
+        {getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {
+          hideDisplayNames,
+          moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+        })}
         <View style={[a.pl_xs, {marginTop: platform({ios: 2})}]}>
           <ProfileBadges profile={profile} size="lg" interactive />
         </View>
diff --git a/src/screens/Profile/Header/Handle.tsx b/src/screens/Profile/Header/Handle.tsx
index a772b89a2..97600c458 100644
--- a/src/screens/Profile/Header/Handle.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Profile/Header/Handle.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {Trans} from '@lingui/react/macro'
 import {isInvalidHandle, sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {sanitizePronouns} from '#/lib/strings/pronouns'
 import {type Shadow} from '#/state/cache/types'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useShowFollowsYouBadge} from '#/state/preferences/show-follows-you-badge'
 import {useShowLinkInHandle} from '#/state/preferences/show-link-in-handle.tsx'
 import {useShowLinkInHandleOnlyOnWorkingLinks} from '#/state/preferences/show-link-in-handle-only-on-working-links'
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ export function ProfileHeaderHandle({
 }) {
   const t = useTheme()
   const {_} = useLingui()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
   const invalidHandle = isInvalidHandle(profile.handle)
   const pronouns = profile.pronouns
   const blockHide = profile.viewer?.blocking || profile.viewer?.blockedBy
@@ -88,25 +90,26 @@ export function ProfileHeaderHandle({
         </View>
       ) : undefined}
       <View style={[a.flex_row, a.flex_wrap, {gap: 6}]}>
-        {invalidHandle ? (
-          <Text emoji numberOfLines={1} style={handleTextStyle}>
-            {_(msg`⚠Invalid Handle`)}
-          </Text>
-        ) : shouldShowProfileLink ? (
-          <InlineLinkText
-            to={`https://${profile.handle}`}
-            label={profile.handle}
-            numberOfLines={1}
-            disableMismatchWarning
-            style={[a.text_md, a.leading_tight, web({direction: 'ltr'})]}
-            onPress={onLinkPress}>
-            {sanitized}
-          </InlineLinkText>
-        ) : (
-          <Text emoji numberOfLines={1} style={handleTextStyle}>
-            {sanitized}
-          </Text>
-        )}
+        {!hideDisplayNames &&
+          (invalidHandle ? (
+            <Text emoji numberOfLines={1} style={handleTextStyle}>
+              {_(msg`⚠Invalid Handle`)}
+            </Text>
+          ) : shouldShowProfileLink ? (
+            <InlineLinkText
+              to={`https://${profile.handle}`}
+              label={profile.handle}
+              numberOfLines={1}
+              disableMismatchWarning
+              style={[a.text_md, a.leading_tight, web({direction: 'ltr'})]}
+              onPress={onLinkPress}>
+              {sanitized}
+            </InlineLinkText>
+          ) : (
+            <Text emoji numberOfLines={1} style={handleTextStyle}>
+              {sanitized}
+            </Text>
+          ))}
         {pronouns && (
           <Text style={[t.atoms.text_contrast_low, a.text_md, a.leading_tight]}>
             {sanitizePronouns(pronouns, IS_NATIVE)}
diff --git a/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollowers.tsx b/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollowers.tsx
index f4ab64f7b..3b9e3f4df 100644
--- a/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollowers.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollowers.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ import {
   type CommonNavigatorParams,
   type NativeStackScreenProps,
 } from '#/lib/routes/types'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useProfileQuery} from '#/state/queries/profile'
 import {useResolveDidQuery} from '#/state/queries/resolve-uri'
 import {ProfileFollowers as ProfileFollowersComponent} from '#/view/com/profile/ProfileFollowers'
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ type Props = NativeStackScreenProps<CommonNavigatorParams, 'ProfileFollowers'>
 export const ProfileFollowersScreen = ({route}: Props) => {
   const {name} = route.params
   const {_} = useLingui()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   const {data: resolvedDid} = useResolveDidQuery(name)
   const {data: profile} = useProfileQuery({
@@ -33,7 +35,7 @@ export const ProfileFollowersScreen = ({route}: Props) => {
           {profile && (
             <>
               <Layout.Header.TitleText>
-                {sanitizeDisplayName(profile.displayName || profile.handle)}
+                {getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {hideDisplayNames})}
               </Layout.Header.TitleText>
               <Layout.Header.SubtitleText>
                 <Plural
diff --git a/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollows.tsx b/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollows.tsx
index ad0525226..3887d6d20 100644
--- a/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollows.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Profile/ProfileFollows.tsx
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ import {
   type CommonNavigatorParams,
   type NativeStackScreenProps,
 } from '#/lib/routes/types'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useProfileQuery} from '#/state/queries/profile'
 import {useResolveDidQuery} from '#/state/queries/resolve-uri'
 import {ProfileFollows as ProfileFollowsComponent} from '#/view/com/profile/ProfileFollows'
@@ -17,6 +18,7 @@ type Props = NativeStackScreenProps<CommonNavigatorParams, 'ProfileFollows'>
 export const ProfileFollowsScreen = ({route}: Props) => {
   const {name} = route.params
   const {_} = useLingui()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   const {data: resolvedDid} = useResolveDidQuery(name)
   const {data: profile} = useProfileQuery({
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ export const ProfileFollowsScreen = ({route}: Props) => {
           {profile && (
             <>
               <Layout.Header.TitleText>
-                {sanitizeDisplayName(profile.displayName || profile.handle)}
+                {getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {hideDisplayNames})}
               </Layout.Header.TitleText>
               <Layout.Header.SubtitleText>
                 <Plural
diff --git a/src/screens/Settings/RunesSettings/DisplaySettings.tsx b/src/screens/Settings/RunesSettings/DisplaySettings.tsx
index e3fe87b7d..a17446167 100644
--- a/src/screens/Settings/RunesSettings/DisplaySettings.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Settings/RunesSettings/DisplaySettings.tsx
@@ -30,6 +30,10 @@ import {
   usePostReplacement,
   useSetPostReplacement,
 } from '#/state/preferences/post-name-replacement'
+import {
+  useHideDisplayNames,
+  useSetHideDisplayNames,
+} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {
   useSetShowThreadPostIndicators,
   useShowThreadPostIndicators,
@@ -51,6 +55,7 @@ import {atoms as a} from '#/alf'
 import {Button, ButtonText} from '#/components/Button'
 import * as Dialog from '#/components/Dialog'
 import * as Toggle from '#/components/forms/Toggle'
+import {At_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as AtIcon} from '#/components/icons/At'
 import {Celebrate_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as CelebrateIcon} from '#/components/icons/Celebrate'
 import {Hashtag_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as HashtagIcon} from '#/components/icons/Hashtag'
 import {Heart2_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as HeartIcon} from '#/components/icons/Heart2'
@@ -73,6 +78,9 @@ export function RunesDisplaySettingsScreen() {
   const showViaClient = useShowViaClient()
   const setShowViaClient = useSetShowViaClient()
 
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const setHideDisplayNames = useSetHideDisplayNames()
+
   const showThreadPostIndicators = useShowThreadPostIndicators()
   const setShowThreadPostIndicators = useSetShowThreadPostIndicators()
 
@@ -118,14 +126,14 @@ export function RunesDisplaySettingsScreen() {
         />
       </SettingsList.LinkItem>
       <Toggle.Item
-        name="six_seven_celebration"
-        label={l`67 celebration`}
-        value={sixSevenCelebration ?? true}
-        onChange={value => setSixSevenCelebration(value)}>
+        name="show_thread_post_indicators"
+        label={l`Show thread position indicators`}
+        value={showThreadPostIndicators}
+        onChange={value => setShowThreadPostIndicators(value)}>
         <SettingsList.Item>
-          <SettingsList.ItemIcon icon={CelebrateIcon} />
+          <SettingsList.ItemIcon icon={HashtagIcon} />
           <SettingsList.ItemText>
-            <Trans>67 celebration</Trans>
+            <Trans>Show thread position indicators</Trans>
           </SettingsList.ItemText>
           <Toggle.Platform />
         </SettingsList.Item>
@@ -144,14 +152,27 @@ export function RunesDisplaySettingsScreen() {
         </SettingsList.Item>
       </Toggle.Item>
       <Toggle.Item
-        name="show_thread_post_indicators"
-        label={l`Show thread position indicators`}
-        value={showThreadPostIndicators}
-        onChange={value => setShowThreadPostIndicators(value)}>
+        name="hide_display_names"
+        label={l`Hide display names`}
+        value={hideDisplayNames}
+        onChange={value => setHideDisplayNames(value)}>
         <SettingsList.Item>
-          <SettingsList.ItemIcon icon={HashtagIcon} />
+          <SettingsList.ItemIcon icon={AtIcon} />
           <SettingsList.ItemText>
-            <Trans>Show thread position indicators</Trans>
+            <Trans>Hide display names</Trans>
+          </SettingsList.ItemText>
+          <Toggle.Platform />
+        </SettingsList.Item>
+      </Toggle.Item>
+      <Toggle.Item
+        name="six_seven_celebration"
+        label={l`67 celebration`}
+        value={sixSevenCelebration ?? true}
+        onChange={value => setSixSevenCelebration(value)}>
+        <SettingsList.Item>
+          <SettingsList.ItemIcon icon={CelebrateIcon} />
+          <SettingsList.ItemText>
+            <Trans>67 celebration</Trans>
           </SettingsList.ItemText>
           <Toggle.Platform />
         </SettingsList.Item>
diff --git a/src/screens/Settings/Settings.tsx b/src/screens/Settings/Settings.tsx
index 8821003c0..176bfb646 100644
--- a/src/screens/Settings/Settings.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/Settings/Settings.tsx
@@ -18,12 +18,13 @@ import {
   type CommonNavigatorParams,
   type NavigationProp,
 } from '#/lib/routes/types'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {useProfileShadow} from '#/state/cache/profile-shadow'
 import * as persisted from '#/state/persisted'
 import {clearStorage} from '#/state/persisted'
 import {useEnableSquareButtons} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-buttons'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useModerationOpts} from '#/state/preferences/moderation-opts'
 import {useDeleteActorDeclaration} from '#/state/queries/messages/actor-declaration'
 import {useProfileQuery, useProfilesQuery} from '#/state/queries/profile'
@@ -540,15 +541,16 @@ function ProfilePreview({
   const {gtMobile} = useBreakpoints()
   const shadow = useProfileShadow(profile)
   const moderationOpts = useModerationOpts()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
   const {isActive: live} = useActorStatus(profile)
 
   if (!moderationOpts) return null
 
   const moderation = moderateProfile(profile, moderationOpts)
-  const displayName = sanitizeDisplayName(
-    profile.displayName || sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-    moderation.ui('displayName'),
-  )
+  const displayName = getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+    moderation: moderation.ui('displayName'),
+  })
 
   return (
     <>
@@ -591,9 +593,11 @@ function ProfilePreview({
           ]}
         />
       </View>
-      <Text style={[a.text_md, a.leading_snug, t.atoms.text_contrast_medium]}>
-        {sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, '@')}
-      </Text>
+      {!hideDisplayNames && (
+        <Text style={[a.text_md, a.leading_snug, t.atoms.text_contrast_medium]}>
+          {sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, '@')}
+        </Text>
+      )}
     </>
   )
 }
diff --git a/src/screens/VideoFeed/index.tsx b/src/screens/VideoFeed/index.tsx
index 549a481e2..63e4493fa 100644
--- a/src/screens/VideoFeed/index.tsx
+++ b/src/screens/VideoFeed/index.tsx
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ import {
   type CommonNavigatorParams,
   type NavigationProp,
 } from '#/lib/routes/types'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {cleanError} from '#/lib/strings/errors'
 import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {logger} from '#/logger'
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ import {
 } from '#/state/feed-feedback'
 import {useConfirmFollowUnfollow} from '#/state/preferences/confirm-follow-unfollow'
 import {useEnableSquareButtons} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-buttons'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useFeedInfo} from '#/state/queries/feed'
 import {usePostLikeMutationQueue} from '#/state/queries/post'
 import {
@@ -750,6 +751,10 @@ function Overlay({
     [accounts, currentAccount?.did],
   )
   const confirmFollowUnfollow = useConfirmFollowUnfollow()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const authorPrimaryName = getAuthorPrimaryName(post.author, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+  })
   const promptControl = Prompt.usePromptControl()
   const [confirmationAction, setConfirmationAction] =
     useState<'follow' | 'unfollow'>('follow')
@@ -868,9 +873,7 @@ function Overlay({
             <Animated.View style={[a.px_md, animatedStyle]}>
               <View style={[a.w_full, a.flex_row, a.align_center, a.gap_md]}>
                 <Link
-                  label={l`View ${sanitizeDisplayName(
-                    post.author.displayName || post.author.handle,
-                  )}'s profile`}
+                  label={l`View ${authorPrimaryName}'s profile`}
                   to={{
                     screen: 'Profile',
                     params: {name: post.author.did},
@@ -886,15 +889,15 @@ function Overlay({
                       style={[a.text_md, a.font_bold]}
                       emoji
                       numberOfLines={1}>
-                      {sanitizeDisplayName(
-                        post.author.displayName || post.author.handle,
-                      )}
-                    </Text>
-                    <Text
-                      style={[a.text_sm, t.atoms.text_contrast_high]}
-                      numberOfLines={1}>
-                      {handle}
+                      {authorPrimaryName}
                     </Text>
+                    {!hideDisplayNames && (
+                      <Text
+                        style={[a.text_sm, t.atoms.text_contrast_high]}
+                        numberOfLines={1}>
+                        {handle}
+                      </Text>
+                    )}
                   </View>
                 </Link>
                 {/* show button based on non-reactive version, so it doesn't hide on press */}
@@ -1043,9 +1046,7 @@ function Overlay({
     {confirmFollowUnfollow && (
       <FollowConfirmationDialog
         control={promptControl}
-        displayName={sanitizeDisplayName(
-          post.author.displayName || post.author.handle,
-        )}
+        displayName={authorPrimaryName}
         handle={post.author.handle}
         actionType={confirmationAction}
         onConfirm={onConfirm}
diff --git a/src/state/persisted/schema.ts b/src/state/persisted/schema.ts
index 481e6e2bc..74c46c0fc 100644
--- a/src/state/persisted/schema.ts
+++ b/src/state/persisted/schema.ts
@@ -231,6 +231,7 @@ const schema = z.object({
   autoCompactAccountSwitcher: z.boolean().optional(),
   disableVerifyEmailReminder: z.boolean().optional(),
   showViaClient: z.boolean().optional(),
+  hideDisplayNames: z.boolean().optional(),
   sixSevenCelebration: z.boolean().optional(),
   deerVerification: z
     .object({
@@ -391,6 +392,7 @@ export const defaults: Schema = {
   autoCompactAccountSwitcher: true,
   disableVerifyEmailReminder: false,
   showViaClient: true,
+  hideDisplayNames: false,
   sixSevenCelebration: true,
   deerVerification: {
     enabled: false,
diff --git a/src/state/preferences/hide-display-names.tsx b/src/state/preferences/hide-display-names.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ba58c223c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/state/preferences/hide-display-names.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import {
+  createContext,
+  type PropsWithChildren,
+  useCallback,
+  useContext,
+  useEffect,
+  useState,
+} from 'react'
+
+import * as persisted from '#/state/persisted'
+
+type StateContext = persisted.Schema['hideDisplayNames']
+type SetContext = (v: persisted.Schema['hideDisplayNames']) => void
+
+const stateContext = createContext<StateContext>(
+  persisted.defaults.hideDisplayNames,
+)
+const setContext = createContext<SetContext>(
+  (_: persisted.Schema['hideDisplayNames']) => {},
+)
+
+export function Provider({children}: PropsWithChildren<{}>) {
+  const [state, setState] = useState(persisted.get('hideDisplayNames'))
+
+  const setStateWrapped = useCallback(
+    (value: persisted.Schema['hideDisplayNames']) => {
+      setState(value)
+      persisted.write('hideDisplayNames', value)
+    },
+    [setState],
+  )
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    return persisted.onUpdate('hideDisplayNames', next => {
+      setState(next)
+    })
+  }, [setStateWrapped])
+
+  return (
+    <stateContext.Provider value={state}>
+      <setContext.Provider value={setStateWrapped}>
+        {children}
+      </setContext.Provider>
+    </stateContext.Provider>
+  )
+}
+
+export function useHideDisplayNames() {
+  return useContext(stateContext)
+}
+
+export function useSetHideDisplayNames() {
+  return useContext(setContext)
+}
diff --git a/src/state/preferences/index.tsx b/src/state/preferences/index.tsx
index b33e25063..dba273ce8 100644
--- a/src/state/preferences/index.tsx
+++ b/src/state/preferences/index.tsx
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import {Provider as GoLinksProvider} from './go-links-enabled'
 import {Provider as HiddenPostsProvider} from './hidden-posts'
 import {Provider as HideFeedsPromoTabProvider} from './hide-feeds-promo-tab'
 import {Provider as HideScaryFollowButtonsProvider} from './hide-scary-follow-buttons.tsx'
+import {Provider as HideDisplayNamesProvider} from './hide-display-names'
 import {Provider as HideSimilarAccountsRecommProvider} from './hide-similar-accounts-recommendations'
 import {Provider as HideUnreplyablePostsProvider} from './hide-unreplyable-posts'
 import {Provider as IgnoredAppLabelersProvider} from './ignored-app-labelers'
@@ -112,6 +113,10 @@ export {
   useHideScaryFollowButtons,
   useSetHideScaryFollowButtons,
 } from './hide-scary-follow-buttons'
+export {
+  useHideDisplayNames,
+  useSetHideDisplayNames,
+} from './hide-display-names'
 export {useImageCdnHost, useSetImageCdnHost} from './image-cdn-host'
 export {useLabelDefinitions} from './label-defs'
 export {useLanguagePrefs, useLanguagePrefsApi} from './languages'
@@ -212,29 +217,31 @@ export function Provider({children}: PropsWithChildren<{}>) {
                                                                                                             <AutoCompactAccountSwitcherProvider>
                                                                                                               <CompactAccountSwitcherProvider>
                                                                                                                 <ShowViaClientProvider>
-                                                                                                                  <SixSevenCelebrationProvider>
-                                                                                                                    <PostNameReplacementProvider>
-                                                                                                                      <DisableVerifyEmailReminderProvider>
-                                                                                                                        <TranslationServicePreferenceProvider>
-                                                                                                                          <OpenRouterProvider>
-                                                                                                                            <DisableComposerPromptProvider>
-                                                                                                                              <DisableTopOfFeedButtonProvider>
-                                                                                                                                <DiscoverContextEnabledProvider>
-                                                                                                                                  <OmitViaFieldProvider>
-                                                                                                                                    <TidSuffixProvider>
-                                                                                                                                      {
-                                                                                                                                        children
-                                                                                                                                      }
-                                                                                                                                    </TidSuffixProvider>
-                                                                                                                                  </OmitViaFieldProvider>
-                                                                                                                                </DiscoverContextEnabledProvider>
-                                                                                                                              </DisableTopOfFeedButtonProvider>
-                                                                                                                            </DisableComposerPromptProvider>
-                                                                                                                          </OpenRouterProvider>
-                                                                                                                        </TranslationServicePreferenceProvider>
-                                                                                                                      </DisableVerifyEmailReminderProvider>
-                                                                                                                    </PostNameReplacementProvider>
-                                                                                                                  </SixSevenCelebrationProvider>
+                                                                                                                  <HideDisplayNamesProvider>
+                                                                                                                    <SixSevenCelebrationProvider>
+                                                                                                                      <PostNameReplacementProvider>
+                                                                                                                        <DisableVerifyEmailReminderProvider>
+                                                                                                                          <TranslationServicePreferenceProvider>
+                                                                                                                            <OpenRouterProvider>
+                                                                                                                              <DisableComposerPromptProvider>
+                                                                                                                                <DisableTopOfFeedButtonProvider>
+                                                                                                                                  <DiscoverContextEnabledProvider>
+                                                                                                                                    <OmitViaFieldProvider>
+                                                                                                                                      <TidSuffixProvider>
+                                                                                                                                        {
+                                                                                                                                          children
+                                                                                                                                        }
+                                                                                                                                      </TidSuffixProvider>
+                                                                                                                                    </OmitViaFieldProvider>
+                                                                                                                                  </DiscoverContextEnabledProvider>
+                                                                                                                                </DisableTopOfFeedButtonProvider>
+                                                                                                                              </DisableComposerPromptProvider>
+                                                                                                                            </OpenRouterProvider>
+                                                                                                                          </TranslationServicePreferenceProvider>
+                                                                                                                        </DisableVerifyEmailReminderProvider>
+                                                                                                                      </PostNameReplacementProvider>
+                                                                                                                    </SixSevenCelebrationProvider>
+                                                                                                                  </HideDisplayNamesProvider>
                                                                                                                 </ShowViaClientProvider>
                                                                                                               </CompactAccountSwitcherProvider>
                                                                                                             </AutoCompactAccountSwitcherProvider>
diff --git a/src/state/preferences/settings-sync.tsx b/src/state/preferences/settings-sync.tsx
index 1e744e34d..c29426f9a 100644
--- a/src/state/preferences/settings-sync.tsx
+++ b/src/state/preferences/settings-sync.tsx
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ export const SYNCED_PREFS_KEYS = [
   'autoCompactAccountSwitcher',
   'disableVerifyEmailReminder',
   'showViaClient',
+  'hideDisplayNames',
   'sixSevenCelebration',
   'deerVerification',
   'thumbnailFormat',
diff --git a/src/view/com/composer/ComposerReplyTo.tsx b/src/view/com/composer/ComposerReplyTo.tsx
index ea2bd3131..d6f022e4f 100644
--- a/src/view/com/composer/ComposerReplyTo.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/composer/ComposerReplyTo.tsx
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ import {msg} from '@lingui/core/macro'
 import {useLingui} from '@lingui/react'
 import {Trans} from '@lingui/react/macro'
 
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
-import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {sanitizePronouns} from '#/lib/strings/pronouns'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {type ComposerOptsPostRef} from '#/state/shell/composer'
 import {PreviewableUserAvatar} from '#/view/com/util/UserAvatar'
 import {atoms as a, useTheme, utils, web} from '#/alf'
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import {parseEmbed} from '#/types/bsky/post'
 export function ComposerReplyTo({replyTo}: {replyTo: ComposerOptsPostRef}) {
   const t = useTheme()
   const {_} = useLingui()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
   const {embed} = replyTo
 
   const [showFull, setShowFull] = useState(false)
@@ -117,10 +118,7 @@ export function ComposerReplyTo({replyTo}: {replyTo: ComposerOptsPostRef}) {
             style={[a.font_semi_bold, a.text_md, a.leading_snug, a.flex_shrink]}
             numberOfLines={1}
             emoji>
-            {sanitizeDisplayName(
-              replyTo.author.displayName ||
-                sanitizeHandle(replyTo.author.handle),
-            )}
+            {getAuthorPrimaryName(replyTo.author, {hideDisplayNames})}
           </Text>
           <ProfileBadges profile={replyTo.author} size="sm" style={[a.pl_xs]} />
           {replyTo.author?.pronouns && (
diff --git a/src/view/com/notifications/NotificationFeedItem.tsx b/src/view/com/notifications/NotificationFeedItem.tsx
index 2e8db740a..303e80b39 100644
--- a/src/view/com/notifications/NotificationFeedItem.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/notifications/NotificationFeedItem.tsx
@@ -39,12 +39,13 @@ import {useAnimatedValue} from '#/lib/hooks/useAnimatedValue'
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
 import {type NavigationProp} from '#/lib/routes/types'
 import {forceLTR} from '#/lib/strings/bidi'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {niceDate} from '#/lib/strings/time'
 import {s} from '#/lib/styles'
 import {logger} from '#/logger'
 import {useProfileShadow} from '#/state/cache/profile-shadow'
 import {useConfirmFollowUnfollow} from '#/state/preferences/confirm-follow-unfollow'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {type FeedNotification} from '#/state/queries/notifications/feed'
 import {useProfileFollowMutationQueue} from '#/state/queries/profile'
 import {unstableCacheProfileView} from '#/state/queries/unstable-profile-cache'
@@ -200,9 +201,10 @@ let NotificationFeedItem = ({
 
   const niceTimestamp = niceDate(i18n, item.notification.indexedAt)
   const firstAuthor = authors[0]
-  const firstAuthorName = sanitizeDisplayName(
-    firstAuthor.profile.displayName || firstAuthor.profile.handle,
-  )
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const firstAuthorName = getAuthorPrimaryName(firstAuthor.profile, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+  })
 
   // Calculate if this is a follow-back notification
   const isFollowBack = useMemo(() => {
@@ -642,9 +644,7 @@ let NotificationFeedItem = ({
               {
                 name: 'viewProfile',
                 label: _(
-                  msg`View ${
-                    authors[0].profile.displayName || authors[0].profile.handle
-                  }'s profile`,
+                  msg`View ${firstAuthorName}'s profile`,
                 ),
               },
             ]
@@ -902,6 +902,8 @@ function FollowBackButton({profile}: {profile: AppBskyActorDefs.ProfileView}) {
   const {_} = useLingui()
   const {currentAccount, hasSession} = useSession()
   const profileShadow = useProfileShadow(profile)
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const authorName = getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {hideDisplayNames})
   const [queueFollow, queueUnfollow] = useProfileFollowMutationQueue(
     profileShadow,
     'ProfileCard',
@@ -922,9 +924,7 @@ function FollowBackButton({profile}: {profile: AppBskyActorDefs.ProfileView}) {
       await queueFollow()
       Toast.show(
         _(
-          msg`Following ${sanitizeDisplayName(
-            profile.displayName || profile.handle,
-          )}`,
+          msg`Following ${authorName}`,
         ),
       )
     } catch (err: any) {
@@ -941,9 +941,7 @@ function FollowBackButton({profile}: {profile: AppBskyActorDefs.ProfileView}) {
       await queueUnfollow()
       Toast.show(
         _(
-          msg`No longer following ${sanitizeDisplayName(
-            profile.displayName || profile.handle,
-          )}`,
+          msg`No longer following ${authorName}`,
         ),
       )
     } catch (err: any) {
@@ -1038,9 +1036,7 @@ function FollowBackButton({profile}: {profile: AppBskyActorDefs.ProfileView}) {
       {confirmFollowUnfollow && (
         <FollowConfirmationDialog
           control={promptControl}
-          displayName={sanitizeDisplayName(
-            profile.displayName || profile.handle,
-          )}
+          displayName={authorName}
           handle={profile.handle}
           actionType={confirmationAction}
           onConfirm={onConfirm}
diff --git a/src/view/com/posts/PostFeedReason.tsx b/src/view/com/posts/PostFeedReason.tsx
index 18f0cce5c..a02fb20bd 100644
--- a/src/view/com/posts/PostFeedReason.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/posts/PostFeedReason.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {Trans} from '@lingui/react/macro'
 import {isReasonFeedSource, type ReasonFeedSource} from '#/lib/api/feed/types'
 import {createSanitizedDisplayName} from '#/lib/moderation/create-sanitized-display-name'
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useSession} from '#/state/session'
 import {atoms as a, useTheme} from '#/alf'
 import {Pin_Stroke2_Corner0_Rounded as PinIcon} from '#/components/icons/Pin'
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ export function PostFeedReason({
 }) {
   const t = useTheme()
   const {_} = useLingui()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   const {currentAccount} = useSession()
 
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ export function PostFeedReason({
       reason.by,
       false,
       moderation?.ui('displayName'),
+      hideDisplayNames,
     )
     return (
       <Link
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/PostMeta.tsx b/src/view/com/util/PostMeta.tsx
index f8e2bf492..b0853c910 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/PostMeta.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/PostMeta.tsx
@@ -8,11 +8,12 @@ import {useQueryClient} from '@tanstack/react-query'
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
 import {forceLTR} from '#/lib/strings/bidi'
 import {NON_BREAKING_SPACE} from '#/lib/strings/constants'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {sanitizePronouns} from '#/lib/strings/pronouns'
 import {niceDate} from '#/lib/strings/time'
 import {useProfileShadow} from '#/state/cache/profile-shadow'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {unstableCacheProfileView} from '#/state/queries/profile'
 import {atoms as a, platform, useTheme, web} from '#/alf'
 import {WebOnlyInlineLinkText} from '#/components/Link'
@@ -44,7 +45,11 @@ let PostMeta = (opts: PostMetaOpts): React.ReactNode => {
   const {i18n, _} = useLingui()
 
   const author = useProfileShadow(opts.author)
-  const displayName = author.displayName || author.handle
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
+  const displayName = getAuthorPrimaryName(author, {
+    hideDisplayNames,
+    moderation: opts.moderation?.ui('displayName'),
+  })
   const handle = author.handle
   // remove dumb typing when you update the atproto api package!!
   const pronouns = (author as {pronouns?: string})?.pronouns
@@ -117,12 +122,7 @@ let PostMeta = (opts: PostMetaOpts): React.ReactNode => {
                 a.leading_tight,
                 a.flex_shrink,
               ]}>
-              {forceLTR(
-                sanitizeDisplayName(
-                  displayName,
-                  opts.moderation?.ui('displayName'),
-                ),
-              )}
+              {forceLTR(displayName)}
             </MaybeLinkText>
             <ProfileBadges
               profile={author}
@@ -136,25 +136,27 @@ let PostMeta = (opts: PostMetaOpts): React.ReactNode => {
                 },
               ]}
             />
-            <MaybeLinkText
-              emoji
-              numberOfLines={1}
-              to={profileLink}
-              label={_(msg`View profile`)}
-              disableMismatchWarning
-              disableUnderline
-              onPress={opts.linkDisabled ? undefined : onBeforePressAuthor}
-              style={[
-                a.text_md,
-                t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
-                {lineHeight: 1.17},
-                opts.narrowLayout
-                  ? a.flex_shrink
-                  : [{flexBasis: '30%'}, a.flex_grow, a.flex_shrink_0],
-                web({maxWidth: 'max-content'}),
-              ]}>
-              {NON_BREAKING_SPACE + sanitizeHandle(handle, '@')}
-            </MaybeLinkText>
+            {!hideDisplayNames && (
+              <MaybeLinkText
+                emoji
+                numberOfLines={1}
+                to={profileLink}
+                label={_(msg`View profile`)}
+                disableMismatchWarning
+                disableUnderline
+                onPress={opts.linkDisabled ? undefined : onBeforePressAuthor}
+                style={[
+                  a.text_md,
+                  t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
+                  {lineHeight: 1.17},
+                  opts.narrowLayout
+                    ? a.flex_shrink
+                    : [{flexBasis: '30%'}, a.flex_grow, a.flex_shrink_0],
+                  web({maxWidth: 'max-content'}),
+                ]}>
+                {NON_BREAKING_SPACE + sanitizeHandle(handle, '@')}
+              </MaybeLinkText>
+            )}
             {opts.showPronouns && pronouns && (
               <WebOnlyInlineLinkText
                 emoji
diff --git a/src/view/com/util/UserInfoText.tsx b/src/view/com/util/UserInfoText.tsx
index 028b85d38..13534b5d6 100644
--- a/src/view/com/util/UserInfoText.tsx
+++ b/src/view/com/util/UserInfoText.tsx
@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@ import {type StyleProp, type TextStyle} from 'react-native'
 import {type AppBskyActorGetProfile} from '@atproto/api'
 
 import {makeProfileLink} from '#/lib/routes/links'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName, sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {STALE} from '#/state/queries'
 import {useProfileQuery} from '#/state/queries/profile'
 import {atoms as a} from '#/alf'
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ export function UserInfoText({
 }) {
   attr = attr || 'handle'
   failed = failed || 'user'
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   const {data: profile, isError} = useProfileQuery({
     did,
@@ -40,11 +42,15 @@ export function UserInfoText({
       </Text>
     )
   } else if (profile) {
-    const text = `${prefix || ''}${sanitizeDisplayName(
-      typeof profile[attr] === 'string' && profile[attr]
-        ? (profile[attr] as string)
-        : sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
-    )}`
+    const value =
+      hideDisplayNames || attr === 'handle'
+        ? getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {hideDisplayNames: true})
+        : sanitizeDisplayName(
+            typeof profile[attr] === 'string' && profile[attr]
+              ? (profile[attr] as string)
+              : sanitizeHandle(profile.handle),
+          )
+    const text = `${prefix || ''}${value}`
     return (
       <InlineLinkText
         label={text}
diff --git a/src/view/screens/Profile.tsx b/src/view/screens/Profile.tsx
index 83db1d787..745aba1e4 100644
--- a/src/view/screens/Profile.tsx
+++ b/src/view/screens/Profile.tsx
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ import {isInvalidHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {colors} from '#/lib/styles'
 import {useProfileShadow} from '#/state/cache/profile-shadow'
 import {listenSoftReset} from '#/state/events'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useModerationOpts} from '#/state/preferences/moderation-opts'
 import {useShowStandardLabelerProfile} from '#/state/preferences/show-standard-labeler-profile'
 import {useLabelerInfoQuery} from '#/state/queries/labeler'
@@ -190,6 +191,7 @@ function ProfileScreenLoaded({
   const [currentPage, setCurrentPage] = useState(0)
   const {_} = useLingui()
   const showStandardLabelerProfile = useShowStandardLabelerProfile()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   const [scrollViewTag, setScrollViewTag] = useState<number | null>(null)
 
@@ -203,7 +205,7 @@ function ProfileScreenLoaded({
   const starterPacksSectionRef = useRef<SectionRef>(null)
   const labelsSectionRef = useRef<SectionRef>(null)
 
-  useSetTitle(combinedDisplayName(profile))
+  useSetTitle(combinedDisplayName({...profile, hideDisplayNames}))
 
   const description = profile.description ?? ''
   const hasDescription = description !== ''
diff --git a/src/view/shell/desktop/LeftNav.tsx b/src/view/shell/desktop/LeftNav.tsx
index 039ebbccb..3210ff2db 100644
--- a/src/view/shell/desktop/LeftNav.tsx
+++ b/src/view/shell/desktop/LeftNav.tsx
@@ -13,11 +13,12 @@ import {
   type CommonNavigatorParams,
   type NavigationProp,
 } from '#/lib/routes/types'
-import {sanitizeDisplayName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
+import {getAuthorPrimaryName} from '#/lib/strings/display-names'
 import {isInvalidHandle, sanitizeHandle} from '#/lib/strings/handles'
 import {emitSoftReset} from '#/state/events'
 import {useEnableSquareAvatars} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-avatars'
 import {useEnableSquareButtons} from '#/state/preferences/enable-square-buttons'
+import {useHideDisplayNames} from '#/state/preferences/hide-display-names'
 import {useFetchHandle} from '#/state/queries/handle'
 import {useUnreadMessageCount} from '#/state/queries/messages/list-conversations'
 import {useUnreadNotifications} from '#/state/queries/notifications/unread'
@@ -124,6 +125,7 @@ function ProfileCard({minimal}: {minimal: boolean}) {
 
   const enableSquareButtons = useEnableSquareButtons()
   const enableSquareAvatars = useEnableSquareAvatars()
+  const hideDisplayNames = useHideDisplayNames()
 
   return (
     <View style={[a.pb_md, !minimal && [a.w_full, a.align_start]]}>
@@ -186,19 +188,19 @@ function ProfileCard({minimal}: {minimal: boolean}) {
                           emoji
                           style={[a.font_bold, a.text_sm, a.leading_snug]}
                           numberOfLines={1}>
-                          {sanitizeDisplayName(
-                            profile.displayName || profile.handle,
-                          )}
-                        </Text>
-                        <Text
-                          style={[
-                            a.text_xs,
-                            a.leading_snug,
-                            t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
-                          ]}
-                          numberOfLines={1}>
-                          {sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, '@')}
+                          {getAuthorPrimaryName(profile, {hideDisplayNames})}
                         </Text>
+                        {!hideDisplayNames && (
+                          <Text
+                            style={[
+                              a.text_xs,
+                              a.leading_snug,
+                              t.atoms.text_contrast_medium,
+                            ]}
+                            numberOfLines={1}>
+                            {sanitizeHandle(profile.handle, '@')}
+                          </Text>
+                        )}
                       </View>
                       <EllipsisIcon
                         aria-hidden={true}