A question I often get asked in my Mailchimp classes is how it’s possible in Mailchimp to ensure that all first names have a capital first letter. Unfortunately there isn’t a way to automatically capitalize first names in Mailchimp. We can however use Zapier to automate the task of ensuring that all first names star with a capital letter.

If you are personalising your email campaigns by inserting the first name of each contact then it is well worth completing these simple steps.

Instructions to Capitalize Mailchimp First Name Field

Time needed: 15 minutes.

These instructions describe how to use Zapier to ensure that every first name in a Mailchimp Audience starts with a capital letter.

Login to Zapier and click “Make a Zap” (to the top right of the screen).
In the “Choose App & Event” field type “Mailchimp” and click the Mailchimp icon when you see it.
In the “Choose Trigger Event” field select “New Subscriber”.
Click “Continue”.
In the “Mailchimp Account” field click your Mailchimp account name or click “Add a New Account” and follow the prompts.
Click “Continue”.
In the “Audience” field click the Mailchimp Audience name where you want the first name capitalized.
Click “Continue”.
Click “Test and Review”, click next to a subscriber to select that subscriber then the down arrow next to the subscriber. Ensure that the subscriber is in your Audience in Mailchimp.
Click “Done Editing” then the “+” icon between steps 1 and 2.
Click “Formatter”.
In the “Choose Action Event” field select “Text”.
Click “Continue”.
In the “Transform’ field click “Capitalize”.
In the “Input” field (under “Values” click “Merges Fname”.
Click “Continue”.
Click “Test and Review”. The “Output” will show a capitalized name.
Click “Done Editing” then “3. Do This …”.
In the “Choose App & Event” field type “Mailchimp” and click the Mailchimp icon when you see it.
In the “Choose Action Event” field select “Add/Update Subscriber”.
Click “Continue”.
Click your Mailchimp account name in the “Mailchimp account:” field.
Click “Continue”.
In the “Audience” field click the Mailchimp Audience name that you previously selected.
In the “Subscriber Email” field click “New Subscriber” then the email address field.
Click “Refresh Fields”.
In the “First Name” field click “Text” then “Merges Fname”.
Click “Continue”.
Click “Test and Continue”.
Click “Done Editing”.
Click to the right of “Zap is ready – now turn it on!”.
Once you’ve enabled the Zap you’ll notice that, in future, when first names are added to a Mailchimp Audience that aren’t capitalized, they’ll be edited to have a capital first letter after a few minutes.