What you're changing and where to find it

Your Gmail display name is the text that appears in the "From" field when you send an email — what recipients see instead of your email address. This is different from your Google Account name, which is the email address itself. You can change your display name in Gmail's settings without affecting your actual email address or password.

The display name lives in Gmail's "Accounts and Import" settings, and the change takes effect on all emails you send going forward. Emails you've already sent keep the name that was displayed when you sent them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what appears in the "From" field of emails you send, separate from your actual email address.
  • You change it in Gmail settings under "Accounts and Import," not in your Google Account settings.
  • The change takes effect when ready on new emails but does not alter emails already sent.
  • You can have multiple display names if you use Gmail's "Send mail as" feature for different email addresses.
  • If you cannot edit the name field, your Google Account administrator may have locked it — contact them to request a change.

Steps to change your display name

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. Under the section labeled "Send mail as," you will see your current email address and display name. Click the "Edit info" link next to your email address.

A small window will open. The "Name" field contains your current display name. Delete the existing text and type the name you want to appear in the "From" field of your emails. You can use your full name, a nickname, a business name, or any text you prefer.

Click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom of the window. Gmail will confirm the change when ready. Your new display name is now active for all emails you send.

What happens if the name field is locked

Some Gmail accounts, particularly those managed by a school or workplace, have the display name field locked by an administrator. If you click "Edit info" and the name field is grayed out or will not let you type, this is why.

Contact your school's IT department or your workplace's IT support team and ask them to unlock the display name field or change it for you. They have the ability to modify this setting even when it is locked for regular users. If you are unsure who manages your account, check your email address — if it ends in your school or company domain rather than @gmail.com, an administrator controls some of your settings.

Using multiple display names with "Send mail as"

Gmail's "Send mail as" feature lets you send emails from different addresses, each with its own display name. This is useful if you manage multiple email accounts or want to send from a work address and a personal address within the same Gmail inbox.

To add another email address, go to "Accounts and Import" settings and click "Add another email address you own" under the "Send mail as" section. Gmail will ask you to verify that you own the address. Once verified, you can select which address and display name to use each time you compose an email — click the "From" field in a new message and choose from your list.

Why your display name might not change in someone else's inbox

If you change your display name and then email someone, they might still see your old name in their inbox for a short time. This happens because email systems cache contact information. The person's email client may take a few hours or days to refresh and show your new name.

You can also control what name appears in your Gmail contacts. If someone has saved you in their contacts with an old name, their email client will show that saved name instead of your current Gmail display name. There is nothing you can do about this from your side — they would need to update your contact card themselves.

Changing your name on a mobile device

The Gmail app on iPhone and Android does not have a settings menu for changing your display name. You must use the Gmail website on a computer or tablet to make this change. Open a web browser, go to gmail.com, and follow the steps in the "Steps to change your display name" section above.

Once you have changed your name on the website, the new name will appear in the mobile app within a few minutes. You do not need to sign out or restart the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email address itself, or just the display name?

You can only change the display name through Gmail settings. Your actual email address cannot be changed in Gmail. If you need a different email address, you would need to create a new Google Account. However, you can add other email addresses to your account using the "Send mail as" feature and send from those addresses while keeping your original Gmail address.

Will changing my display name affect my password or sign-in?

No. Your password and sign-in information are tied to your email address, not your display name. Changing the name you display to recipients has no effect on how you log in or access your account.

What if I want to use a display name with special characters or emojis?

Gmail accepts most characters, including numbers, spaces, hyphens, and periods. Emojis may work depending on your device and email client, but some older email systems might not display them correctly. Test with a friend if you use unusual characters to make sure they see what you intended.

Can I have a different display name for each person I email?

No. Your display name is the same for all emails you send. If you need to send from different addresses with different names, use the "Send mail as" feature to add multiple email addresses to your account, each with its own display name.