diff --git a/hud.lua b/hud.lua
index cd70781..b29152d 100644
--- a/hud.lua
+++ b/hud.lua
@@ -1,8 +1,17 @@
 -- This is inspired by the landrush mod by Bremaweb
 
 areas.hud = {}
+areas.hud.refresh = 0
 
 minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
+
+	areas.hud.refresh = areas.hud.refresh + dtime
+	if areas.hud.refresh > areas.config["tick"] then
+		areas.hud.refresh = 0
+	else
+		return
+	end
+
 	for _, player in pairs(minetest.get_connected_players()) do
 		local name = player:get_player_name()
 		local pos = vector.round(player:getpos())
diff --git a/settings.lua b/settings.lua
index 22cba53..feaa687 100644
--- a/settings.lua
+++ b/settings.lua
@@ -40,3 +40,6 @@ setting("number",   "self_protection_max_areas_high", 32)
 
 -- legacy_table (owner_defs) compatibility.  Untested and has known issues.
 setting("boolean", "legacy_table", false)
+
+-- configure the refresh delay for the name displays in the HUD
+setting("number", "tick", 0.5)