Change your name in PayPal settings in about five minutes

You can change the name on your PayPal account yourself through the account settings menu. The process takes a few minutes and does not require you to contact PayPal support unless your account is restricted or you are changing to a name that does not match your legal documents.

PayPal keeps your name separate from your payment method. Your bank account or card stays linked to your account even after you change the name PayPal displays. The name change affects how you appear to people you send money to and how your transactions show up on their end.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into PayPal on a computer or phone, go to Settings, then Account, then tap or click your name to edit it directly.
  • PayPal accepts first and last name changes but may ask you to verify your identity if the new name does not match your bank account or ID documents.
  • The name change takes effect when ready in your account, but may take a few hours to show up in other people's transaction records.
  • If your account is limited or restricted, you must resolve that issue before PayPal will let you change your name.

Steps to change your name on the PayPal website

Open PayPal in a web browser and log in with your email and password. In the top right corner, click the gear icon to open Settings.

Click Account in the left menu. Under the "Account Information" section, you will see your current first and last name. Click on your name to edit it. Type your new first name and last name into the fields, then click Save. PayPal will ask you to confirm the change by entering your password again.

The name change is now live in your account. Other PayPal users will see your new name the next time you send them money or they look up your profile.

Steps to change your name on the PayPal mobile app

Open the PayPal app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings.

Tap Personal Information, then tap your name at the top. Edit your first and last name, then tap Save. You will be asked to enter your password to confirm.

The change takes effect when ready. If you are using PayPal on multiple devices, the new name will sync across all of them within a few minutes.

When PayPal asks you to verify your identity

If your new name does not match the name on your linked bank account or the ID documents you provided when you opened the account, PayPal may ask you to verify your identity before accepting the change. This is a security measure to prevent fraud.

PayPal will either ask you to upload a photo of your ID or will send you a verification code by text or email. Follow the prompts on your screen. The verification process usually takes less than an hour, though it can take up to 24 hours during busy periods.

If you changed your legal name (for example, after marriage or a legal name change), you may also need to update the name on your bank account or contact your bank to confirm the change before PayPal will accept it.

What happens if your account is limited or restricted

PayPal will not let you change your name if your account is currently limited or restricted. Account restrictions happen when PayPal suspects unusual activity, when a dispute is open, or when you have not resolved a previous issue with the platform.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your name, log into your account and look for a banner at the top explaining why your account is limited. Follow the steps PayPal provides to resolve the issue — this might mean confirming your identity, responding to a dispute, or waiting for a hold period to end. Once the restriction is lifted, you can change your name.

How the name change affects your transactions

When you send money to someone after changing your name, they will see your new name on the transaction. If you receive money, the sender will see your new name in their transaction history.

Your old transactions will still show your old name in the history. PayPal does not retroactively update the names on past payments. This is normal and does not cause any problems — the transaction records are tied to your account ID, not your name.

If you use PayPal for business and have invoices or receipts with your old name, those documents will not change automatically. You may want to create new invoice templates with your updated name for future transactions.

Changing your name if you use PayPal for business

If your PayPal account is a Business account, the process is the same: go to Settings, click Account, and edit your name. However, you should also update your business information if your business name has changed.

To update your business name, go to Settings, click Business Information, and edit the business name field. Keep in mind that if your business is registered with your state or the IRS under a specific name, PayPal may ask you to provide documentation matching that registered name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my name on PayPal affect my bank account?

No. Your PayPal name and your bank account name are separate. Changing your PayPal name does not change anything at your bank. However, if your bank account name and PayPal name are very different, your bank might flag transfers as unusual. If this happens, contact your bank to let them know you use PayPal.

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

The change is when ready in your PayPal account settings. Other PayPal users will see your new name within a few hours. If you are sending money to someone outside PayPal (like a bank transfer), the name on that transfer is controlled by your bank, not PayPal, so it may still show your old name.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes. Follow the same steps to edit your name again. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name, but PayPal may ask you to verify your identity if you change it very frequently in a short time period.

What if I forgot my password and cannot confirm the name change?

You will need to reset your password before you can change your name. Click "Forgot your password?" on the PayPal login page, and PayPal will send you a reset link by email. Once you have set a new password, you can log back in and change your name.

Does changing my name affect my PayPal balance or linked cards?

No. Your balance, linked bank accounts, and linked credit or debit cards all stay exactly the same. The name change only affects how your account appears to other people and how your transactions are labeled.