Change your Yelp name in account settings
To change the name that appears on your Yelp profile, go to your account settings and edit the name field directly. Open Yelp, click your profile icon in the top right corner, select "Account Settings," then click "Edit Profile." The name field is at the top — change it to whatever you want and click "Save Changes." The new name appears on your profile and reviews within minutes.
You can change your name as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you update it, and Yelp does not require you to use your legal name. Your previous reviews stay attached to your new name automatically — you do not have to do anything to keep them.
If you cannot find the name field in account settings, make sure you are logged in to the account you want to change. Some older accounts or accounts created through third-party sign-in (like Google or Facebook) may have slightly different layouts, but the edit profile option is always in the account menu.
Key Takeaways
- Your Yelp display name is edited in Account Settings under Edit Profile, and changes appear within minutes.
- You can use any name you want — Yelp does not require your legal name or verify it.
- All your past reviews stay connected to your account when you change your name.
- You can change your name again at any time without losing your review history or account standing.
Why you might want to change your Yelp name
People change their Yelp name for different reasons. Some want more privacy and prefer a nickname or initials instead of their full legal name. Others created an account years ago with a name they no longer use and want it to match how they identify now. Some want to separate their Yelp activity from their real identity for professional reasons — for example, if you work in hospitality and do not want your employer to connect your reviews to you.
Changing your name does not affect how Yelp's recommendation algorithm works or how your reviews are ranked. Your review history, helpful votes, and account age all stay the same. The only thing that changes is what other people see when they click on your profile.
What happens to your reviews when you change your name
Your reviews do not disappear or get hidden when you change your name. Every review you wrote stays on the business page where you posted it, and it now shows your new name instead of your old one. If someone had bookmarked your profile or was following you, they will see your new name the next time they visit.
Yelp does not create a record showing your old name — the change is permanent and complete. If you wrote a review under the name "Sarah M." and change your account to "S.M. Reviews," that review now shows "S.M. Reviews" as the author. There is no way for someone to look up what your old name was.
Changing your name on mobile versus desktop
The process is the same on mobile and desktop, but the menu layout is slightly different. On a phone or tablet, tap your profile icon, then tap "Account Settings," then "Edit Profile." On a computer, click your profile icon and select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu. Either way, the name field is the first thing you see in the edit profile section.
If you are using the Yelp app on your phone, the steps are identical — tap your profile, go to account settings, and edit your name. Some older versions of the app may have the settings in a different place, so if you cannot find it, try updating the app first.
If you cannot edit your name
If the name field is grayed out or you cannot click on it, you may be logged into a business account instead of a personal account. Business accounts have different settings. Log out and make sure you are signed into the personal account you use to write reviews.
If you signed up through Facebook or Google login, your name might be locked to what that service has on file. In that case, you need to change your name in your Facebook or Google account first, then update it on Yelp. Go to your Facebook or Google settings, change your name there, and Yelp will sync the change within a few hours.
If none of that works, contact Yelp support through the Help Center. Go to yelp.com/support, click "Contact Us," and describe the problem. Support usually responds within one business day.
Keeping your account find while making changes
Changing your name is a safe operation that does not put your account at risk. You do not need to enter your password again or verify your email — just edit the field and save. However, if you are making other changes to your account at the same time (like updating your email address or password), do those one at a time and wait for each change to complete before moving to the next.
If you notice someone else has changed your name without your permission, change your password when ready. Go to Account Settings, click "Change Password," and create a new one that is different from any password you have used before. Then check your email address and phone number to make sure they are still correct. If you think your account has been compromised in other ways, contact Yelp support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. Go back to Account Settings, Edit Profile, and change the name field to whatever you want. Yelp does not keep a history of your old names, so you can use any name you used before or a completely new one.
Will changing my name affect my Yelp Elite status or badges?
No. Your Elite status, review badges, and any other account achievements stay with your account. Only the display name changes — everything else remains the same.
Can I use special characters or emoji in my Yelp name?
Yelp allows most characters, but some special symbols and emoji may not display correctly depending on your device. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation like hyphens or apostrophes for the most reliable result.
Does Yelp notify businesses when I change my name?
No. Businesses do not receive notifications about changes to your account. They only see your current name when they look at your reviews.
If I change my name, can people still find my old reviews?
Yes. Your reviews are searchable by the business name and location, not by your reviewer name. People can find your reviews through the business page whether your name is old or new.