diff --git a/assets/l10n/app_en.arb b/assets/l10n/app_en.arb
index 2b3622387b..f0908df4e3 100644
--- a/assets/l10n/app_en.arb
+++ b/assets/l10n/app_en.arb
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@
   "@composeBoxSendTooltip":  {
     "description": "Tooltip for send button in compose box."
   },
-  "unknownChannelName": "(unknown channel)",
+  "unknownChannelName": "Unknown channel",
   "@unknownChannelName": {
     "description": "Replacement name for channel when it cannot be found in the store."
   },
@@ -661,7 +661,7 @@
       "messageId": {"type": "int", "example": "1234"}
     }
   },
-  "unknownUserName": "(unknown user)",
+  "unknownUserName": "unknown user",
   "@unknownUserName": {
     "description": "Name placeholder to use for a user when we don't know their name."
   },
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart
index 3cf5ddc85d..ab645e9f94 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart
@@ -1008,7 +1008,7 @@ abstract class ZulipLocalizations {
   /// Replacement name for channel when it cannot be found in the store.
   ///
   /// In en, this message translates to:
-  /// **'(unknown channel)'**
+  /// **'Unknown channel'**
   String get unknownChannelName;
 
   /// Hint text for topic input widget in compose box.
@@ -1038,7 +1038,7 @@ abstract class ZulipLocalizations {
   /// Name placeholder to use for a user when we don't know their name.
   ///
   /// In en, this message translates to:
-  /// **'(unknown user)'**
+  /// **'unknown user'**
   String get unknownUserName;
 
   /// Message list page title for a DM group that only includes yourself.
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart
index 27189bbb11..b982869245 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsAr extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsAr extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart
index 670a442e87..f7aa801142 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEl extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEl extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart
index b2fbfcb72f..34e91c75b9 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEn extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEn extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart
index f3ee9284e9..4f27a71efc 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEs extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEs extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart
index 32cb94bf82..62d393ad56 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsFr extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsFr extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart
index 37dc15e7e4..acd52cd77b 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsHe extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsHe extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart
index 44404f1955..1f514d607b 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsHu extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsHu extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart
index cfcc46ebb6..d06f0fcfb9 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsNb extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsNb extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart
index b28622eb3e..1ee5f591c5 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsSk extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsSk extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart
index e05f76bee3..c1c50a9b2e 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart
@@ -529,7 +529,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsZh extends ZulipLocalizations {
   String get composeBoxSendTooltip => 'Send';
 
   @override
-  String get unknownChannelName => '(unknown channel)';
+  String get unknownChannelName => 'Unknown channel';
 
   @override
   String get composeBoxTopicHintText => 'Topic';
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsZh extends ZulipLocalizations {
   }
 
   @override
-  String get unknownUserName => '(unknown user)';
+  String get unknownUserName => 'unknown user';
 
   @override
   String get dmsWithYourselfPageTitle => 'DMs with yourself';
diff --git a/test/model/user_test.dart b/test/model/user_test.dart
index d306d12f0a..b86546d5c5 100644
--- a/test/model/user_test.dart
+++ b/test/model/user_test.dart
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ void main() {
 
     test('on an unknown user', () {
       final store = eg.store();
-      check(store.userDisplayName(eg.user().userId)).equals('(unknown user)');
+      check(store.userDisplayName(eg.user().userId)).equals('unknown user');
     });
   });
 
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ void main() {
       check(store.senderDisplayName(message)).equals('Some User');
       // ... even though `store.userDisplayName` (with no message available
       // for fallback) only has a generic fallback name.
-      check(store.userDisplayName(message.senderId)).equals('(unknown user)');
+      check(store.userDisplayName(message.senderId)).equals('unknown user');
     });
   });
 
diff --git a/test/notifications/display_test.dart b/test/notifications/display_test.dart
index c4763b27ef..4fe17c3861 100644
--- a/test/notifications/display_test.dart
+++ b/test/notifications/display_test.dart
@@ -630,7 +630,7 @@ void main() {
       final message = eg.streamMessage(stream: stream);
       await checkNotifications(async, messageFcmMessage(message, streamName: null),
         expectedIsGroupConversation: true,
-        expectedTitle: '#(unknown channel) > ${message.topic}',
+        expectedTitle: '#Unknown channel > ${message.topic}',
         expectedTagComponent: 'stream:${message.streamId}:${message.topic}');
     })));
 
diff --git a/test/widgets/action_sheet_test.dart b/test/widgets/action_sheet_test.dart
index c43c6daab7..27d4c53f2c 100644
--- a/test/widgets/action_sheet_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/action_sheet_test.dart
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ void main() {
         child: TopicListPage(streamId: streamId)));
       await tester.pump();
 
-      final titleText = store.streams[streamId]?.name ?? '(unknown channel)';
+      final titleText = store.streams[streamId]?.name ?? 'Unknown channel';
       await tester.longPress(find.descendant(
         of: find.byType(ZulipAppBar),
         matching: find.text(titleText)));
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ void main() {
           check(store.streams[someChannel.streamId]).isNull();
           await showFromTopicListAppBar(tester);
           check(findInHeader(find.byType(Icon))).findsNothing();
-          check(findInHeader(find.textContaining('(unknown channel)'))).findsOne();
+          check(findInHeader(find.textContaining('Unknown channel'))).findsOne();
         });
       });
 
diff --git a/test/widgets/emoji_reaction_test.dart b/test/widgets/emoji_reaction_test.dart
index 72ccac41a0..3cfa776289 100644
--- a/test/widgets/emoji_reaction_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/emoji_reaction_test.dart
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ void main() {
             runSmokeTest('same reaction, different users, with one unknown user', [
               Reaction.fromJson({ ...u1, 'user_id': user1.userId}),
               Reaction.fromJson({ ...u1, 'user_id': user2.userId}),
-              // unknown user; shouldn't crash (name should show as "(unknown user)")
+              // unknown user; shouldn't crash (name should show as "unknown user")
               Reaction.fromJson({ ...u1, 'user_id': eg.user().userId}),
             ], users: users, realmEmoji: realmEmoji);
 
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ void main() {
   // - Tapping a chip does the right thing
   // - When an image emoji fails to load, falls back to :text_emoji:
   // - Label text correctly chooses names or number
-  // - When a user isn't found, says "(unknown user)"
+  // - When a user isn't found, says "unknown user"
   // - More about layout? (not just that it's error-free)
   // - Non-animated image emoji is selected when intended
 
diff --git a/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart b/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
index 91a5e33ba1..393cbc8174 100644
--- a/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ void main() {
         narrow: DmNarrow.withUser(eg.user().userId, selfUserId: selfUserId), messages: [], users: [eg.selfUser]);
       check(findPlaceholder).findsOne();
       check(findTextInPlaceholder('this user')).findsOne();
-      check(findTextInPlaceholder('(unknown user)')).findsNothing();
+      check(findTextInPlaceholder('unknown user')).findsNothing();
 
       // No need to encourage starting a conversation...right?
       check(findTextInPlaceholder('yet.')).findsNothing();
@@ -1143,7 +1143,7 @@ void main() {
         narrow: narrow, users: [], messages: [streamMessage]);
       await checkTyping(tester,
         eg.typingEvent(narrow, TypingOp.start, 1000),
-        expected: '(unknown user) is typing…',
+        expected: 'unknown user is typing…',
       );
       // Wait for the pending timers to end.
       await tester.pump(const Duration(seconds: 15));
@@ -1795,7 +1795,7 @@ void main() {
         tester.widget(find.text(zulipLocalizations.messageListGroupYouAndOthers(
           zulipLocalizations.unknownUserName)));
         tester.widget(find.text(zulipLocalizations.messageListGroupYouAndOthers(
-          "${zulipLocalizations.unknownUserName}, ${eg.thirdUser.fullName}")));
+          "${eg.thirdUser.fullName}, ${zulipLocalizations.unknownUserName}")));
       });
 
       testWidgets('show "Muted user" label for muted users', (tester) async {
diff --git a/test/widgets/poll_test.dart b/test/widgets/poll_test.dart
index 8e3d66c3bb..6670eaab5e 100644
--- a/test/widgets/poll_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/poll_test.dart
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ void main() {
   testWidgets('show unknown voter', (tester) async {
     await preparePollWidget(tester, pollWidgetData,
       users: [eg.selfUser], voterIdxPairs: [(eg.thirdUser, 1)]);
-    check(findInPoll(find.text('((unknown user))'))).findsOne();
+    check(findInPoll(find.text('(unknown user)'))).findsOne();
   });
 
   testWidgets('poll title missing', (tester) async {
diff --git a/test/widgets/profile_test.dart b/test/widgets/profile_test.dart
index c213619095..c0bd1ee6e7 100644
--- a/test/widgets/profile_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/profile_test.dart
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ void main() {
         customProfileFields: [eg.customProfileField(0, CustomProfileFieldType.user)],
       );
 
-      final textFinder = find.text('(unknown user)');
+      final textFinder = find.text('unknown user');
       check(textFinder.evaluate()).length.equals(1);
     });
 
diff --git a/test/widgets/recent_dm_conversations_test.dart b/test/widgets/recent_dm_conversations_test.dart
index b5fdd10217..2b3911553b 100644
--- a/test/widgets/recent_dm_conversations_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/recent_dm_conversations_test.dart
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ void main() {
           );
 
           checkAvatar(tester, DmNarrow.ofMessage(message, selfUserId: eg.selfUser.userId));
-          checkTitle(tester, '(unknown user)');
+          checkTitle(tester, 'unknown user');
         });
 
         testWidgets('short name takes one line', (tester) async {
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ void main() {
           );
 
           checkAvatar(tester, DmNarrow.ofMessage(message, selfUserId: eg.selfUser.userId));
-          checkTitle(tester, '${user0.fullName}, (unknown user)');
+          checkTitle(tester, '${user0.fullName}, unknown user');
         });
 
         testWidgets('few names takes one line', (tester) async {
diff --git a/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart b/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
index 1cd9c4bb26..4b749d3c48 100644
--- a/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ void main() {
         child: TopicListPage(streamId: channel.streamId)));
       await tester.pump();
       await tester.pump(Duration.zero);
-      check(find.widgetWithText(ZulipAppBar, '(unknown channel)')).findsOne();
+      check(find.widgetWithText(ZulipAppBar, 'Unknown channel')).findsOne();
     });
 
     testWidgets('navigate to channel feed', (tester) async {