diff --git a/echo/docs/portal_prefilling.md b/echo/docs/portal_prefilling.md
index f1ba78913..03290704c 100644
--- a/echo/docs/portal_prefilling.md
+++ b/echo/docs/portal_prefilling.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ you can append the following query parameters to any portal start URL (like `htt
 | parameter | description | example |
 |---|---|---|
 | `skipOnboarding` | when set to `1`, skips the introductory tutorial slides and goes directly to the conversation start screen. | `skipOnboarding=1` |
-| `participant_name` or `name` | prefills the participant's name on the initiation page. if onboarding is skipped and the name is prefilled (or name is not required), the conversation will initiate *automatically*. | `participant_name=Alice` |
+| `participant_name`, `name` or `title` | prefills the participant's name (or session title, like a table number) on the initiation page. if onboarding is skipped and the name is prefilled (or name is not required), the conversation will initiate *automatically*. | `participant_name=Alice` |
 | `participant_email` or `email` | prefills the participant's e-mail address. this is automatically passed to the language model and database to associate the conversation with their e-mail. | `participant_email=alice@work.com` |
 | `tags` or `tag_id_list` | a comma-separated list of tag IDs or tag names to apply to the conversation. names are matched *case-insensitively* against the project's tags. | `tags=Bug,Feature` |
 | `general_feedback` or `feedback` | prefills the text input box for the conversation. if this parameter is present, the portal starts the participant *directly in text input mode* and presets this feedback. | `general_feedback=the+platform+is+very+easy+to+use` |
diff --git a/echo/frontend/src/components/participant/ParticipantInitiateForm.tsx b/echo/frontend/src/components/participant/ParticipantInitiateForm.tsx
index ba754e964..21ad59fa8 100644
--- a/echo/frontend/src/components/participant/ParticipantInitiateForm.tsx
+++ b/echo/frontend/src/components/participant/ParticipantInitiateForm.tsx
@@ -36,11 +36,18 @@ export const ParticipantInitiateForm = ({ project }: { project: Project }) => {
 	const [readyValues, setReadyValues] = useState<FormValues | null>(null);
 
 	const defaultName =
-		searchParams.get("participant_name") || searchParams.get("name") || "";
+		searchParams.get("participant_name") ||
+		searchParams.get("title") ||
+		searchParams.get("name") ||
+		"";
 	const defaultEmail =
-		searchParams.get("participant_email") || searchParams.get("email") || "";
+		searchParams.get("participant_email") ||
+		searchParams.get("email") ||
+		"";
 	const defaultTagsParam =
-		searchParams.get("tags") || searchParams.get("tag_id_list") || "";
+		searchParams.get("tags") ||
+		searchParams.get("tag_id_list") ||
+		"";
 
 	const defaultTagIdList = useMemo(() => {
 		if (!defaultTagsParam) return [];