You can change your Gmail display name in two minutes from your account settings

The name that appears when you send an email is separate from your Gmail address itself. You can change it anytime without affecting your inbox, contacts, or password. The change takes effect on new emails you send, but does not retroactively change the name on emails you have already sent.

Google stores this name in your account settings under "Personal info". The process is the same whether you use Gmail through the web, your phone, or a mail client like Outlook or Apple Mail — you change it once in your Google Account, and it updates everywhere.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is separate from your email address and can be changed without affecting your account security or data.
  • You change your name through your Google Account settings, not through Gmail itself.
  • The new name appears on emails you send going forward, but does not change the name on emails already sent.
  • If you use Gmail through Outlook, Apple Mail, or another mail client, you still change the name in Google Account settings, not in the mail app.

How to change your name on the web

Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with your Gmail address and password. On the left side, click Personal info. Near the top, you will see your name listed. Click on it to edit.

Type your new name in the box that appears. You can use your full name, a nickname, initials, or any combination — there is no restriction on what you enter. Click Save when you are done. The change takes effect when ready on new emails.

If you have a Google profile photo or other profile details, those remain unchanged. Only the name field updates.

How to change your name on your phone

Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Manage your Google Account, then tap the Personal info tab. Tap your name to edit it, type the new name, and tap Save.

On iPhone, the steps are identical. On Android, the layout may vary slightly depending on your phone model, but the path remains: profile picture → Manage your Google Account → Personal info → your name → Save.

What happens to emails you have already sent

Emails you sent before changing your name will still show your old name in the recipient's inbox. The change only affects new emails going forward. Recipients cannot see that you changed your name — they straightforward see whatever name was on the email when you sent it.

If you want to use a different name for a specific purpose (like a work email versus a personal one), you may want to set up a separate Gmail address instead of changing your display name repeatedly.

Using a different name for replies and forwards

When you reply to or forward an email, the name that appears is the one currently set in your Google Account. If you have changed your name since receiving the original email, your reply will show the new name, not the old one.

This can be useful if you want to update your professional name or correct a misspelling without creating a new account. Just change it once, and all future correspondence uses the new name.

If you use Gmail through Outlook or Apple Mail

Some people access Gmail through Outlook, Apple Mail, or another email client instead of the Gmail website. You still change your display name through your Google Account settings, not in the mail app itself. The change syncs across all devices and apps that access your Gmail account.

If you have set up a different name in Outlook or Apple Mail's settings, that local name only appears in your own app — it does not change what recipients see. To change what recipients see, you must change it in your Google Account.

Changing your name if you have a Google Workspace account

If your Gmail address is through Google Workspace (a work or business account), your administrator may have restricted your ability to change your display name. Check with your IT department or account administrator before attempting to change it. Some organizations require all employees to use their legal name or a standardized format.

If you have permission to change it, the process is the same: go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, and edit your name. The change takes effect on all emails you send from that account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my name affect my Gmail address or password?

No. Your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) and your password remain exactly the same. Only the display name that appears to recipients changes. You log in with the same credentials.

Can I use different names for different emails?

Not with a single Gmail account. Your display name applies to all emails sent from that address. If you need to send emails under different names (like one for work and one for personal use), you would need to create a separate Gmail account for each.

How long does it take for the name change to show up?

The change takes effect when ready in your Google Account. New emails you send will show the new name right away. There is no waiting period or confirmation needed.

What if I made a typo when changing my name?

You can change it again anytime. Go back to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, click your name, fix the typo, and save. There is no limit to how many times you can change it.

Will my contacts see the name change on old emails?

No. The name on an email is set when you send it and does not change later. Old emails will always show the name you used when you sent them, even if you have changed your display name since then.