Your Gmail nickname is separate from your email address and display name

Gmail's nickname feature lets you create an alternate name that appears when you send messages, without changing your actual email address or the name on your Google Account. This is different from your display name — the name that shows up in your Gmail contacts and calendar. You can have one nickname active at a time, and you can change it whenever you want.

The nickname setting lives in your Gmail account settings, not in the compose window. Once you set it, every email you send will show that nickname as the sender unless you switch it back to your regular name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Gmail nickname is a separate sender name that does not change your actual email address.
  • You change your nickname through Gmail Settings under the "Accounts and Import" tab, not from the compose screen.
  • Only one nickname can be active at a time, and you can switch back to your original name whenever you want.
  • The nickname appears to everyone who receives your emails, so choose something you are comfortable with long-term.
  • Changing your nickname takes effect when ready on all new emails you send.

How to access your Gmail nickname settings

Open Gmail in your web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select "See all settings" from the dropdown menu. Click the "Accounts and Import" tab at the top of the settings page.

Look for the section labeled "Send mail as" — this is where your nickname lives. You will see your current email address listed, and below it a link that says "Edit info" or a pencil icon next to your name. Click that to open the nickname editor.

Setting or changing your nickname

When you click "Edit info," a small window will pop up showing your current sender name. The text field at the top is where you enter your nickname. Delete whatever is there and type the name you want to appear on your outgoing emails.

You can use your first name, a combination of first and last name, a professional title, a business name, or any text you choose. Gmail does not restrict what you can enter. Once you have typed your new nickname, click the "Update label" or "Save changes" button at the bottom of the window.

The change takes effect when ready. The next email you send will show your new nickname as the sender.

Switching back to your original name

If you want to stop using a nickname and go back to your original name, follow the same steps: Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as > Edit info. Delete the nickname and type your real name back in, then save.

You can switch between your original name and a nickname as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you change it, and no penalty for doing so.

What happens to emails you already sent

Changing your nickname does not affect emails you have already sent. Those messages will continue to show whatever sender name was active when you sent them. Only new emails going forward will use your updated nickname.

Recipients cannot see that you changed your nickname — they only see the name that was on the message when it arrived in their inbox.

Using different nicknames for different purposes

Gmail only lets you have one active nickname at a time. If you need to send emails under different names for different purposes — for example, one for work and one for personal use — you have two options.

The first is to switch your nickname back and forth depending on what you are doing. This works if you do not send emails under both names at the same time. The second option is to create a separate Gmail account for the other purpose, which gives you a completely separate inbox and sender identity. You can add both accounts to Gmail and switch between them without logging out.

Troubleshooting nickname changes that do not appear

If you changed your nickname but your emails still show the old name, wait a few minutes — the change sometimes takes a moment to sync across Gmail's servers. Close Gmail completely and open it again in a fresh browser tab.

If the old name still appears after that, check the "Send mail as" section again to confirm your change actually saved. Sometimes the save button does not register the first time. If you see your new nickname listed in settings but it is not showing on your emails, try sending a test message to yourself to confirm the change is working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a nickname that is completely different from my real name?

Yes. Gmail does not require your nickname to match your real name or your email address. You can use any text you want — a business name, a pen name, initials, or anything else. The only limit is that it cannot be blank.

Will my contacts see my nickname if I change it?

Your contacts will see your nickname on new emails you send them. Old emails will still show whatever name was active when you sent them. If you have a contact saved under your real name, their contact entry will not automatically update — you would need to edit it yourself if you want it to match your new nickname.

Can I have multiple nicknames and switch between them?

Gmail only allows one active nickname at a time. You can switch back and forth between your original name and one nickname as often as you want, but you cannot have two different nicknames both available to use simultaneously. If you need multiple sender identities, create a separate Gmail account for each one.

Does changing my nickname affect my email address or password?

No. Your email address and password stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears on outgoing emails changes. You log in the same way, and people can still reach you at your original email address.

What if I set a nickname but want to remove it completely?

Go back to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as > Edit info and replace your nickname with your real name or original sender name. You cannot leave the field blank — Gmail requires some text in the sender name field.