Have you ever seen a sender's name in Gmail followed by their email address enclosed in parentheses? This can be confusing, especially when you're trying to quickly identify who's sending you an email. This article explains why Gmail uses this practice and how you can manage it for a more streamlined inbox.
The Purpose of Parentheses in Gmail Names
The parentheses around an email address in Gmail indicate that the sender's email address is different from the name they're using to send the email. This can happen in a few scenarios:
1. New Sender:
When you receive an email from someone who isn't in your Google Contacts, Gmail displays their email address in parentheses to help you identify them. This is especially useful for avoiding spam or phishing attempts.
2. Different Display Name:
Senders can choose what name appears when they send emails. They might use a nickname, a business name, or their full name, even if their email address only uses initials. The parentheses connect the displayed name with the actual email address.
3. Multiple Email Addresses:
If you have a contact with multiple email addresses (e.g., personal and work), Gmail will show the email address they're using in parentheses if it's different from the one you have saved.
How to Manage Parentheses in Gmail
Want to get rid of those parentheses and make your inbox cleaner? Here's what you can do:
1. Add New Contacts:
The simplest solution is to add senders you frequently communicate with to your Google Contacts. Make sure to include their correct name and email address. Gmail will then use their name instead of the email address in parentheses.
2. Update Existing Contacts:
If you have a contact who keeps appearing with their email address in parentheses, it's likely that the email address you have saved doesn't match the one they're using. Update their contact information in Google Contacts to ensure accuracy.
FAQ:
Q: Can I remove parentheses without adding contacts?
A: Unfortunately, no. Gmail uses parentheses as a security measure to help you verify senders.
Q: Why do I see my own email address in parentheses when I send an email?
A: This means the "Send mail as" setting in your Gmail account doesn't match your desired display name. Go to your Gmail settings and adjust the "Send mail as" name to correct it.
Q: Why are there multiple email addresses listed for some contacts?
A: Gmail automatically groups emails from the same sender, even if they use different addresses. You can see all associated addresses by clicking the down arrow next to the sender's name in an email.
Conclusion:
Understanding why Gmail uses parentheses around email addresses can help you manage your inbox more efficiently. By actively managing your Google Contacts, you can create a clearer communication experience with less clutter and better identification of senders.