The two names you can change, and which one matters
Gmail stores two separate names: your account name (the part before @gmail.com) and your display name (what people see when you send them an email). You can change your display name whenever you want in Gmail settings. Your account name is harder to change and Google only allows it once, so most people leave it alone.
If someone sees your email address and it says "From: John Smith," that's your display name. If they see "john.smith.4829@gmail.com," that's your account name. The display name is what you should change if you got married, go by a different name now, or want your emails to look more professional. The account name almost never needs to change.
This guide covers both, but focuses on the display name because that's what you can actually control without calling Google support.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what people see when you email them) can be changed anytime in Gmail settings without any restrictions.
- Your account name (the part before @gmail.com) can only be changed once per account and requires you to create a new Google Account first.
- Changing your display name takes two minutes and does not affect your email address or any of your data.
- If you change your display name, old emails you already sent will still show the old name, but new emails will show the new one.
How to change your display name in Gmail
Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select "See all settings." Click the "Accounts and Import" tab at the top. Under "Send mail as," you will see your current display name next to your email address. Click "Edit" next to it.
A box will pop up with a field that says "Name." Delete what is there and type your new name. You can use your full name, a nickname, initials, or anything else. Click "Save changes" at the bottom. Gmail will ask you to confirm by sending a verification email to your Gmail address — open that email and click the link inside. Your display name is now changed.
The next time you send an email, the recipient will see your new name. Emails you sent before this change will still show your old name in their inbox, but that does not matter — you cannot change the past.
When you might need to change your account name instead
Your account name is the permanent part of your email address. You would only change this if your current address is tied to something you no longer use — a business that closed, a school you left, or a name you no longer go by and want completely gone from your email.
Google allows you to change your account name exactly once. To do it, you have to create a new Google Account with the name you want, then transfer your email, contacts, calendar, and other data to that new account. This is complicated and takes time. Most people just change their display name and keep their account name the same.
If you decide you need to change your account name, contact Google support directly — they will walk you through creating the new account and moving everything over. This is not something you can do yourself in settings.
What happens to your data when you change your display name
Changing your display name does not touch any of your emails, contacts, calendar events, or files in Google Drive. Your inbox stays exactly the same. Your password does not change. Your account name does not change. Only the name that appears in the "From:" line of your outgoing emails changes.
If you use Gmail for work and your company has a Google Workspace account (the paid version for businesses), you may not be able to change your display name yourself — your administrator might control it. Check with your IT department or manager before you try.
How to change your display name on a phone or tablet
Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap "Manage your Google Account." Swipe to the "Personal info" tab. Tap "Name" and then "First name" or "Last name" (or both). Type your new name and tap "Save."
This change syncs across all your devices within a few minutes. If you use Gmail on a computer and a phone, you only have to change it once and it updates everywhere.
Troubleshooting: your name did not change
If you changed your display name but your emails still show the old name, you may be looking at a cached version. Close Gmail completely and open it again in a fresh browser tab. If you are using the Gmail app on your phone, close it and reopen it.
If the name still has not changed after a few hours, go back to Settings > Accounts and Import and check the "Send mail as" section. Make sure you clicked "Save changes" and completed the verification email. If the verification email never arrived, click "Edit" again and Gmail will send a new one.
If you are using Gmail through Outlook, Apple Mail, or another email client on your computer, changing your display name in Gmail settings will not change how it appears in that program. You have to change it in the email client itself. Open the client's settings, find the account information, and update the name there.
If you want to use a completely different email address
If you want a different email address entirely (not just a different display name), you would need to create a new Gmail account. You can set up a new account at gmail.com and then forward all mail from your old address to the new one, or use both addresses at the same time by adding the new one as an alias in your current account.
Adding an alias means you can send and receive email from both addresses without creating a second account. Go to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as and click "Add another email address." Follow the steps to add your new address. Gmail will verify it, and then you can send from either address whenever you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my display name affect my password or sign-in?
No. Your password and the way you sign in never change. You still use the same email address and password to log in. Only the name that appears on outgoing emails changes.
Can I change my display name back to what it was before?
Yes, anytime. Go back to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as, click "Edit," and type your old name. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.
If I change my display name, will my contacts see the change in their address books?
No. The name in their address book stays the same unless they manually edit it. They will only see your new name on emails you send them after the change.
What if my Gmail account is through my school or workplace?
Your administrator may have locked down display name changes. Try going to Settings > Accounts and Import and see if the "Edit" button is greyed out. If it is, contact your school's IT department or your company's IT support.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?
Gmail accepts most letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation marks. Emojis usually work too, though some email clients may not display them correctly. Test it by sending yourself an email and seeing how it looks on the receiving end.