diff --git a/help/direct-messages.md b/help/direct-messages.md
index c169a79718..28092eb4cc 100644
--- a/help/direct-messages.md
+++ b/help/direct-messages.md
@@ -1,25 +1,25 @@
-# Private messages
+# Direct messages
 
-**Private messages (PMs)** are one-on-one conversations between you and
-another user. **Group private messages (group PMs)** are small
+**Direct messages (DMs)** are one-on-one conversations between you and
+another user. **Group direct messages (group DMs)** are small
 discussions with a group of users.
 
-PMs and group PMs work well for one-off conversations. If you find yourself
+DMs and group DMs work well for one-off conversations. If you find yourself
 frequently conversing with the same person or the same group of people, we
 highly recommend [creating a private stream](/help/create-a-stream) for your
 conversations instead.
 
-Note that group PMs are not the same as [user groups](/help/user-groups) or
-private streams. PMs and group PMs do not have [topics](/help/streams-and-topics)
+Note that group DMs are not the same as [user groups](/help/user-groups) or
+private streams. DMs and group DMs do not have [topics](/help/streams-and-topics)
 and do not appear in your list of streams.
 
-## Send a PM
+## Send a DM
 
 {start_tabs}
 
 {tab|desktop-web}
 
-1. Click the **New private message** button at the bottom of the app, or
+1. Click the **New direct message** button at the bottom of the app, or
    use the <kbd>X</kbd> keyboard shortcut.
 
 1. Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and
@@ -30,13 +30,13 @@ and do not appear in your list of streams.
 !!! tip ""
 
       You can also click on any user in the right sidebar to start composing
-      a private message to them. Or open their **user card** by clicking on
-      their profile picture or name, and select **Send private message**.
+      a direct message to them. Or open their **user card** by clicking on
+      their profile picture or name, and select **Send direct message**.
 
 {tab|mobile}
 
 1. Tap the **Private messages**
-   ( <img src="/static/images/help/mobile-pm-tab-icon.svg" alt="private messages" class="mobile-icon"/> )
+   ( <img src="/static/images/help/mobile-dm-tab-icon.svg" alt="private messages" class="mobile-icon"/> )
    tab at the bottom of the app.
 
 1. Tap the **New PM** button at the top of the app.
@@ -55,21 +55,21 @@ and do not appear in your list of streams.
 
 {end_tabs}
 
-## Send a group PM
+## Send a group DM
 
-{!send-group-pm.md!}
+{!send-group-dm.md!}
 
-## Access a PM or group PM
+## Access a DM or group DM
 
-If using Zulip in a browser or desktop, there are several ways to access an existing PM or group PM.
+If using Zulip in a browser or desktop, there are several ways to access an existing DM or group DM.
 
-* Click on **Private messages** near the top of the left sidebar to access
+* Click on **Direct messages** near the top of the left sidebar to access
   recent conversations.
 
 * Click on any user in the right sidebar.
 
 * Start typing a user's name in the [search](/help/search-for-messages) bar.
-  You'll be able to select PMs or group PMs with that user.
+  You'll be able to select DMs or group DMs with that user.
 
 * Open the compose box, and enter a list of users on the **To:**
   line. Type <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>.</kbd> to open that conversation.
diff --git a/help/include/automated-pm-stream-subscription.md b/help/include/automated-dm-stream-subscription.md
similarity index 64%
rename from help/include/automated-pm-stream-subscription.md
rename to help/include/automated-dm-stream-subscription.md
index 5acfcbf2b5..61d2be0fe2 100644
--- a/help/include/automated-pm-stream-subscription.md
+++ b/help/include/automated-dm-stream-subscription.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 !!! warn ""
 
       **Note**: Subscribing someone else to a stream sends them an
-      automated private message from [notification bot][notification-bot].
+      automated direct message from [notification bot][notification-bot].
 
 [notification-bot]: /help/configure-notification-bot
diff --git a/help/include/send-group-pm.md b/help/include/send-group-dm.md
similarity index 88%
rename from help/include/send-group-pm.md
rename to help/include/send-group-dm.md
index ae49227364..2f7a55dfe8 100644
--- a/help/include/send-group-pm.md
+++ b/help/include/send-group-dm.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 {tab|desktop-web}
 
-1. Click the **New private message** button at the bottom of the app, or
+1. Click the **New direct message** button at the bottom of the app, or
    use the <kbd>X</kbd> keyboard shortcut.
 
 1. Start typing the name of the person you want to message, and
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 {tab|mobile}
 
 1. Tap the **Private messages**
-   ( <img src="/static/images/help/mobile-pm-tab-icon.svg" alt="private messages" class="mobile-icon"/> )
+   ( <img src="/static/images/help/mobile-dm-tab-icon.svg" alt="private messages" class="mobile-icon"/> )
    tab at the bottom of the app.
 
 2. Tap the **New group PM** button at the top of the app.
diff --git a/help/include/starting-a-new-private-thread.md b/help/include/starting-a-new-private-thread.md
index 48f645bee7..3d18c1025f 100644
--- a/help/include/starting-a-new-private-thread.md
+++ b/help/include/starting-a-new-private-thread.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-{!send-group-pm.md!}
+{!send-group-dm.md!}
 
 !!! tip ""
 
diff --git a/static/images/help/mobile-pm-tab-icon.svg b/static/images/help/mobile-dm-tab-icon.svg
similarity index 100%
rename from static/images/help/mobile-pm-tab-icon.svg
rename to static/images/help/mobile-dm-tab-icon.svg