diff --git a/example/index.js b/example/index.js
index cfec3546..d89e7344 100644
--- a/example/index.js
+++ b/example/index.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ subscribe(APP_READY, () => {
         authenticatedUser: {
           userId: '123abc',
           username: 'testuser',
+          name: 'test user',
           roles: [],
           administrator: false,
         },
@@ -37,6 +38,7 @@ subscribe(APP_READY, () => {
       <AppContext.Provider value={{
         authenticatedUser: {
           userId: '123abc',
+          name: 'test name',
           username: 'testuser',
           roles: [],
           administrator: false,
diff --git a/src/DesktopHeader.jsx b/src/DesktopHeader.jsx
index 15d4b1b4..a2f0c8e0 100644
--- a/src/DesktopHeader.jsx
+++ b/src/DesktopHeader.jsx
@@ -59,8 +59,11 @@ class DesktopHeader extends React.Component {
       userMenu,
       avatar,
       username,
+      name,
       intl,
     } = this.props;
+    const hideUsername = getConfig().HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER;
+    const usernameOrName = hideUsername ? name : username;
 
     return (
       <Dropdown>
@@ -69,10 +72,10 @@ class DesktopHeader extends React.Component {
           as={AvatarButton}
           src={avatar}
           alt=""
-          aria-label={intl.formatMessage(messages['header.label.account.menu.for'], { username })}
+          aria-label={intl.formatMessage(messages['header.label.account.menu.for'], { username: usernameOrName })}
           data-hj-suppress
         >
-          {username}
+          {!hideUsername && username}
         </Dropdown.Toggle>
 
         <Dropdown.Menu alignRight>
@@ -156,6 +159,7 @@ DesktopHeader.propTypes = {
   logoDestination: PropTypes.string,
   avatar: PropTypes.string,
   username: PropTypes.string,
+  name: PropTypes.string,
   loggedIn: PropTypes.bool,
 
   // i18n
@@ -171,6 +175,7 @@ DesktopHeader.defaultProps = {
   logoDestination: null,
   avatar: null,
   username: null,
+  name: '',
   loggedIn: false,
 };
 
diff --git a/src/Header.jsx b/src/Header.jsx
index d8a05d43..760e6940 100644
--- a/src/Header.jsx
+++ b/src/Header.jsx
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ subscribe(APP_CONFIG_INITIALIZED, () => {
     MINIMAL_HEADER: !!process.env.MINIMAL_HEADER,
     ENTERPRISE_LEARNER_PORTAL_HOSTNAME: process.env.ENTERPRISE_LEARNER_PORTAL_HOSTNAME,
     AUTHN_MINIMAL_HEADER: !!process.env.AUTHN_MINIMAL_HEADER,
+    // this flag is introduced to unblock for new release.
+    // the flag would be removed in follow up PR
+    HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER: !!process.env.HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER,
   }, 'Header additional config');
 });
 
@@ -155,6 +158,7 @@ const Header = ({ intl }) => {
     logoDestination: getConfig().MINIMAL_HEADER ? null : `${config.LMS_BASE_URL}/dashboard`,
     loggedIn: authenticatedUser !== null,
     username: authenticatedUser !== null ? authenticatedUser.username : null,
+    name: authenticatedUser !== null ? authenticatedUser.name : null,
     avatar: authenticatedUser !== null ? authenticatedUser.avatar : null,
     mainMenu: getConfig().MINIMAL_HEADER || getConfig().AUTHN_MINIMAL_HEADER ? [] : mainMenu,
     userMenu: getConfig().AUTHN_MINIMAL_HEADER ? [] : userMenu,
diff --git a/src/Header.test.jsx b/src/Header.test.jsx
index ba6ea1b5..9a8dce5c 100644
--- a/src/Header.test.jsx
+++ b/src/Header.test.jsx
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@ describe('<Header />', () => {
       authenticatedUser: {
         userId: 'abc123',
         username: 'edX',
+        name: 'edX',
         roles: [],
         administrator: false,
       },
diff --git a/src/learning-header/AuthenticatedUserDropdown.jsx b/src/learning-header/AuthenticatedUserDropdown.jsx
index 73499e8c..4062c8cf 100644
--- a/src/learning-header/AuthenticatedUserDropdown.jsx
+++ b/src/learning-header/AuthenticatedUserDropdown.jsx
@@ -7,14 +7,20 @@ import { faUserCircle } from '@fortawesome/free-solid-svg-icons';
 
 import { getConfig } from '@edx/frontend-platform';
 import { injectIntl, intlShape } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
-import { Dropdown, Badge } from '@openedx/paragon';
+import { Avatar, Dropdown, Badge } from '@openedx/paragon';
 
 import messages from './messages';
 import Notifications from '../Notifications';
 import { selectShowNotificationTray } from '../Notifications/data/selectors';
 import { fetchAppsNotificationCount } from '../Notifications/data/thunks';
 
-const AuthenticatedUserDropdown = ({ enterpriseLearnerPortalLink, intl, username }) => {
+const AuthenticatedUserDropdown = (props) => {
+  const {
+    intl,
+    enterpriseLearnerPortalLink,
+    username,
+    name,
+  } = props;
   const dispatch = useDispatch();
   const showNotificationsTray = useSelector(selectShowNotificationTray);
 
@@ -47,17 +53,25 @@ const AuthenticatedUserDropdown = ({ enterpriseLearnerPortalLink, intl, username
     careersMenuItem = '';
   }
 
+  const dropdownToggle = (
+    <Dropdown.Toggle variant="outline-primary" id="user-dropdown">
+      <FontAwesomeIcon icon={faUserCircle} className="d-md-none" size="lg" />
+      {getConfig().HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER ? (
+        <Avatar size="sm" alt={name} className="mr-2" />
+      ) : (
+        <span data-hj-suppress className="d-none d-md-inline" data-testid="username">
+          {username}
+        </span>
+      )}
+    </Dropdown.Toggle>
+  );
+
   return (
     <>
       <a className="text-gray-700" href={`${getConfig().SUPPORT_URL}`}>{intl.formatMessage(messages.help)}</a>
       {showNotificationsTray && <Notifications />}
       <Dropdown className="user-dropdown ml-3">
-        <Dropdown.Toggle variant="outline-primary" id="user-dropdown">
-          <FontAwesomeIcon icon={faUserCircle} className="d-md-none" size="lg" />
-          <span data-hj-suppress className="d-none d-md-inline">
-            {username}
-          </span>
-        </Dropdown.Toggle>
+        {dropdownToggle}
         <Dropdown.Menu className="dropdown-menu-right zIndex-2">
           {dashboardMenuItem}
           {careersMenuItem}
@@ -89,10 +103,12 @@ AuthenticatedUserDropdown.propTypes = {
   enterpriseLearnerPortalLink: PropTypes.string,
   intl: intlShape.isRequired,
   username: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
+  name: PropTypes.string,
 };
 
 AuthenticatedUserDropdown.defaultProps = {
   enterpriseLearnerPortalLink: '',
+  name: '',
 };
 
 export default injectIntl(AuthenticatedUserDropdown);
diff --git a/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.jsx b/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.jsx
index 2eeb6c04..9b8fa96a 100644
--- a/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.jsx
+++ b/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.jsx
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ subscribe(APP_CONFIG_INITIALIZED, () => {
   mergeConfig({
     ACCOUNT_SETTINGS_URL: process.env.ACCOUNT_SETTINGS_URL || '',
     NOTIFICATION_FEEDBACK_URL: process.env.NOTIFICATION_FEEDBACK_URL || '',
+    HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER: !!process.env.HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER,
   }, 'Learning Header additional config');
 });
 
@@ -92,6 +93,7 @@ const LearningHeader = ({
           <AuthenticatedUserDropdown
             enterpriseLearnerPortalLink={enterpriseLearnerPortalLink}
             username={authenticatedUser.username}
+            name={authenticatedUser.name}
           />
           )}
           {showUserDropdown && !authenticatedUser && (
diff --git a/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.test.jsx b/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.test.jsx
index 3d80888e..c48082a3 100644
--- a/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.test.jsx
+++ b/src/learning-header/LearningHeader.test.jsx
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import React from 'react';
+import { getConfig, mergeConfig } from '@edx/frontend-platform';
 import {
   authenticatedUser, initializeMockApp, render, screen,
 } from '../setupTest';
@@ -15,6 +16,17 @@ describe('Header', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText(authenticatedUser.username)).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
+  it('displays user button without username', () => {
+    const config = getConfig();
+    mergeConfig({
+      ...config,
+      HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER: true,
+    });
+    const { queryByTestId } = render(<Header />);
+    const username = queryByTestId('username');
+    expect(username).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it('displays course data', () => {
     const courseData = {
       courseOrg: 'course-org',
diff --git a/src/studio-header/HeaderBody.jsx b/src/studio-header/HeaderBody.jsx
index af369061..130d0170 100644
--- a/src/studio-header/HeaderBody.jsx
+++ b/src/studio-header/HeaderBody.jsx
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ const HeaderBody = ({
   org,
   title,
   username,
+  name,
   isAdmin,
   studioBaseUrl,
   logoutUrl,
@@ -100,6 +101,7 @@ const HeaderBody = ({
           <UserMenu
             {...{
               username,
+              name,
               studioBaseUrl,
               logoutUrl,
               authenticatedUserAvatar,
@@ -125,6 +127,7 @@ HeaderBody.propTypes = {
   logoAltText: PropTypes.string,
   authenticatedUserAvatar: PropTypes.string,
   username: PropTypes.string,
+  name: PropTypes.string,
   isAdmin: PropTypes.bool,
   isMobile: PropTypes.bool,
   isHiddenMainMenu: PropTypes.bool,
@@ -150,6 +153,7 @@ HeaderBody.defaultProps = {
   title: '',
   authenticatedUserAvatar: null,
   username: null,
+  name: '',
   isAdmin: false,
   isMobile: false,
   isHiddenMainMenu: false,
diff --git a/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.jsx b/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.jsx
index 3f267e03..6f036855 100644
--- a/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.jsx
+++ b/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.jsx
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ const StudioHeader = ({
     org,
     title,
     username: authenticatedUser?.username,
+    name: authenticatedUser?.name,
     isAdmin: authenticatedUser?.administrator,
     authenticatedUserAvatar: authenticatedUser?.avatar,
     studioBaseUrl: config.STUDIO_BASE_URL,
diff --git a/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.test.jsx b/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.test.jsx
index 8ebda05c..3a9fc8df 100644
--- a/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.test.jsx
+++ b/src/studio-header/StudioHeader.test.jsx
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 /* eslint-disable react/prop-types */
 import React, { useMemo } from 'react';
+import { getConfig, mergeConfig } from '@edx/frontend-platform';
 import {
   render,
   fireEvent,
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ import messages from './messages';
 const authenticatedUser = {
   userId: 3,
   username: 'abc123',
+  name: 'test',
   administrator: true,
   roles: [],
   avatar: '/imges/test.png',
@@ -128,6 +130,17 @@ describe('Header', () => {
       expect(avatarIcon).toBeVisible();
     });
 
+    it('user menu should not contain username', async () => {
+      const config = getConfig();
+      mergeConfig({
+        ...config,
+        HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER: true,
+      });
+      const { container } = render(<RootWrapper {...props} />);
+      const userMenu = container.querySelector('#user-dropdown-menu');
+      expect(userMenu.textContent).toContain('');
+    });
+
     it('should hide nav items if prop isHiddenMainMenu true', async () => {
       const initialProps = { ...props, isHiddenMainMenu: true };
       const { queryByTestId } = render(<RootWrapper {...initialProps} />);
diff --git a/src/studio-header/UserMenu.jsx b/src/studio-header/UserMenu.jsx
index 03695c16..28351172 100644
--- a/src/studio-header/UserMenu.jsx
+++ b/src/studio-header/UserMenu.jsx
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
 import { injectIntl, intlShape } from '@edx/frontend-platform/i18n';
+import { getConfig } from '@edx/frontend-platform';
 import {
   Avatar,
 } from '@openedx/paragon';
@@ -8,6 +9,7 @@ import NavDropdownMenu from './NavDropdownMenu';
 import getUserMenuItems from './utils';
 
 const UserMenu = ({
+  name,
   username,
   studioBaseUrl,
   logoutUrl,
@@ -17,22 +19,25 @@ const UserMenu = ({
   // injected
   intl,
 }) => {
+  const hideUsername = getConfig().HIDE_USERNAME_FROM_HEADER;
+  const avatarAlt = hideUsername ? name : username;
   const avatar = authenticatedUserAvatar ? (
     <img
       className="d-block w-100 h-100"
       src={authenticatedUserAvatar}
-      alt={username}
+      alt={avatarAlt}
       data-testid="avatar-image"
     />
   ) : (
     <Avatar
       size="sm"
       className="mr-2"
-      alt={username}
+      alt={avatarAlt}
       data-testid="avatar-icon"
     />
   );
-  const title = isMobile ? avatar : <>{avatar}{username}</>;
+
+  const title = (isMobile || hideUsername) ? avatar : <>{avatar}{username}</>;
 
   return (
     <NavDropdownMenu
@@ -50,6 +55,7 @@ const UserMenu = ({
 
 UserMenu.propTypes = {
   username: PropTypes.string,
+  name: PropTypes.string,
   studioBaseUrl: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
   logoutUrl: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
   authenticatedUserAvatar: PropTypes.string,
@@ -64,6 +70,7 @@ UserMenu.defaultProps = {
   isAdmin: false,
   authenticatedUserAvatar: null,
   username: null,
+  name: '',
 };
 
 export default injectIntl(UserMenu);