Change your display name in Gmail settings

Your Gmail display name is what appears in the "From" field when you send an email. To change it, open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select See all settings. Go to the Accounts and Import tab, and under "Send mail as" you will see your current name. Click edit info next to it.

A box will open with your name field. Delete the current name and type the new one you want to use. You can use your real name, a nickname, a business name, or any combination of letters and numbers. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the box.

The change takes effect when ready. The next email you send will show your new name in the From field. People who already have your contact information will still reach you at the same email address — only the display name changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what recipients see in the From field and can be changed anytime without affecting your email address.
  • Go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as to find the edit option for your name.
  • You can change your display name as many times as you want, and each change takes effect on your next sent email.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your Gmail login, password, or any emails already sent.
  • If you use multiple email addresses in Gmail, you can set a different display name for each one.

What happens to emails you already sent

Changing your display name does not alter any emails you have already sent. Recipients will still see the original name you used when you sent those messages. The new name only appears on emails you send after you make the change.

If you want to use a different name for a specific project or purpose, you can set up multiple "Send mail as" addresses in Gmail, each with its own display name. This lets you keep separate identities for work, personal, or business use without creating new email accounts.

Using multiple display names from one account

Gmail lets you add multiple email addresses to one account and assign a different display name to each. This is useful if you manage email for a business, a family member, or a project under a different name.

To add another email address, go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as and click Add another email address. Enter the name you want to use and the email address. Gmail will send a confirmation link to that address — click it to verify ownership. Once verified, you can choose which name and address to send from each time you compose a message.

When you reply to an email, Gmail automatically sends from the address the original message was sent to, so your recipient sees the name that matches their inbox.

Changing your Google Account name instead

Your Google Account name is different from your Gmail display name. The Account name is what you see in the top right corner of Gmail and other Google services, and it controls how your name appears across Google products like Drive, Photos, and Calendar.

To change your Google Account name, go to myaccount.google.com and click Personal info on the left. Click on your name at the top, then edit your first and last name. Click Save. This change affects all Google services you use, not just Gmail.

If you only want to change how your name looks to people receiving your emails, change your Gmail display name instead. If you want your name to change everywhere you use Google services, change your Account name.

Fixing a typo or unwanted character in your name

If your display name has a typo, extra space, or character you did not intend, follow the same steps: Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as > edit info. Delete the incorrect text and type the correct version. You can make this change as many times as you need.

Gmail does not limit how often you change your display name, so there is no penalty for fixing mistakes. The change takes effect on your next sent email.

What you cannot change about your email address itself

Your actual email address — the part before the @ symbol — cannot be changed. If you created an account as james.rodriguez@gmail.com, that address is permanent. You cannot rename it to james.r@gmail.com or any other variation.

If you need a different email address entirely, you would need to create a new Gmail account. However, you can add that new address to your current account and use both from the same inbox, each with its own display name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will people lose my contact information if I change my display name?

No. Your email address stays the same, so anyone who has it will still be able to reach you. They will straightforward see your new name the next time you send them an email. Old emails from you will still show your previous name.

Can I change my display name on my phone?

Yes. Open the Gmail app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down and tap Settings, select your account, then tap Manage your Google Account. Go to the Personal info tab and edit your name. Changes made on your phone sync to the web version automatically.

What if I want different names for work and personal emails?

Add both addresses to your Gmail account using the "Send mail as" feature. Assign a different display name to each address. When you compose a new email, you can choose which address and name to send from using the dropdown in the compose window.

Does changing my display name affect my Gmail password?

No. Your password remains the same. You log in with your email address and password, not your display name. Changing how your name appears to others does not change how you access your account.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?

Gmail accepts most letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks. Emojis and some special characters may not display correctly for all recipients, so it is best to stick with standard text. Test your name by sending a test email to another account to see how it appears.