diff --git a/tests/model/test_model.py b/tests/model/test_model.py
index 15170709694..4990bd414a2 100644
--- a/tests/model/test_model.py
+++ b/tests/model/test_model.py
@@ -2026,7 +2026,7 @@ def test_notify_users_enabled(
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         "hide_content, expected_content",
-        [(True, "New private message from Foo Foo"), (False, "private content here.")],
+        [(True, "New direct message from Foo Foo"), (False, "private content here.")],
     )
     def test_notify_users_hides_PM_content_based_on_user_setting(
         self, mocker, model, private_message_fixture, hide_content, expected_content
diff --git a/zulipterminal/model.py b/zulipterminal/model.py
index b727a6d54f0..ae2a5a759cc 100644
--- a/zulipterminal/model.py
+++ b/zulipterminal/model.py
@@ -1436,7 +1436,7 @@ def notify_user(self, message: Message) -> str:
                 ]
                 recipient = ", ".join(extra_targets)
             if not self.user_settings()["pm_content_in_desktop_notifications"]:
-                content = f"New private message from {message['sender_full_name']}"
+                content = f"New direct message from {message['sender_full_name']}"
                 hidden_content = True
         elif message["type"] == "stream":
             stream_id = message["stream_id"]