What you're actually changing
Gmail has two separate names: your account name (the part before @gmail.com that you use to sign in) and your display name (what appears when you send an email). You can change your display name whenever you want. Your account name — the login itself — is permanent and cannot be changed, though you can add a recovery email or phone number to make your account easier to access if you forget your password.
Most people want to change their display name. This is the name recipients see in their inbox when you email them, and it's what shows up in your Gmail signature. Changing it takes about two minutes and doesn't affect your ability to sign in or access your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your Gmail display name (what people see when you email them) can be changed anytime from your account settings, but your login name cannot be changed.
- Go to myaccount.google.com, select "Personal info" on the left, and click on your current name to edit it.
- Changes to your display name take effect when ready in new emails you send, but old emails keep the name that was showing when you sent them.
- If you want a completely different email address, you'll need to create a new Gmail account rather than rename your existing one.
How to change your display name in Gmail
Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with your Gmail address and password if you're not already signed in. On the left side of the page, click Personal info.
Look for the section that shows your name at the top. Click directly on your name to open the edit box. Type your new name in the field that appears. You can use any combination of letters, numbers, and spaces — there's no restriction on what you put here. When you're done typing, click Save. The change happens when ready.
The next time you send an email, recipients will see your new name in their inbox. Emails you sent before the change will still show your old name, because that's what was set when you sent them. This is normal and expected.
Why you might want to change your display name
People change their Gmail display name for many reasons: after getting married or divorced, to use a nickname instead of a legal name, to switch from a childhood email to something more professional, or straightforward because they prefer how a different name looks.
If you're using Gmail for work, changing your display name to match your company's naming style (like "James Rodriguez" instead of "jrodriguez" or "J-Rod") makes your emails look more professional and consistent with your colleagues. If you're using it personally, you might want to use a nickname that friends recognize, or a formal name if you're contacting people you don't know well.
What happens to your account name and login
Your account name — the part before @gmail.com — cannot be changed. If your Gmail address is james.rodriguez@gmail.com, that address is permanent. You cannot rename it to something else, and Google will not do this for you even if you request it.
This is different from your display name. Your account name is what you type when you sign in, and it's what people use to email you. Your display name is just what appears next to your email when you send messages. The two are separate, and only the display name is editable.
If you want a completely different email address
If you need a different Gmail address entirely — not just a different display name — you'll need to create a new Gmail account. You can do this by going to accounts.google.com and clicking Create account. You'll choose a new Gmail address and set up the account from scratch.
Once you have the new account, you can set up email forwarding from your old address to your new one so you don't miss messages. Go back to myaccount.google.com on your old account, click Data & privacy, then Data from apps and services you use, and look for forwarding options. You can also read your contacts and emails from the old account and import them into the new one if you want to keep that information.
Troubleshooting if the change won't save
If you click Save and the name doesn't change, first check that you're signed into the right Google account. If you have multiple Gmail addresses, you might be editing the wrong one. Sign out completely, then sign back in with the account you want to change.
If you're still having trouble, try using a different web browser or clearing your browser's cache. Sometimes cached data prevents changes from saving. You can also try accessing myaccount.google.com on your phone instead of your computer, or vice versa. If none of these work, wait a few hours and try again — occasionally Google's servers need time to process the change.
How your display name appears in different places
Your display name shows up in the "From" line when you send an email, in your Gmail signature, and in your Google Meet profile if you use video calls. It also appears in shared Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides if you're collaborating with others. When you change your display name, all of these places update automatically.
In Gmail's contact list, people you email will see your display name next to your email address. If you change your name, their contact entry for you will update the next time they receive an email from you. Old emails in their inbox will still show the name you had when you sent them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Gmail address itself, not just the display name?
No, your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) is permanent and cannot be changed. If you need a different email address, you must create a new Gmail account. You can set up forwarding from your old address to catch messages sent to the old one.
Will changing my display name affect my password or how I sign in?
No. Your display name is completely separate from your login credentials. You sign in with your email address and password, and changing your display name does not affect either of those. You'll still use the same email and password to access your account.
How long does it take for the name change to show up?
The change is when ready in your account settings. The next email you send will show your new name. However, it may take a few minutes for the change to appear in all Google services like Meet or Docs, though this is usually when ready.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?
You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Emojis may not work in all email clients, so it's best to stick with standard characters if you want your name to display correctly for everyone who receives your emails.
What if I share my Gmail account with someone else?
If someone else has access to your account, changing the display name will change what appears when either of you sends an email. Both of you will be sending emails under the same name. If you need separate identities, each person should have their own Gmail account.