What you need to know before changing your name

You can change your Twitter name (also called your display name) at any time, and it takes about two minutes. Your display name is what appears next to your profile picture — different from your username (the @handle), which you can also change but less frequently. When you change your display name, your old name disappears when ready, and your username stays the same unless you change that separately.

Twitter does not limit how many times you can change your display name, so you can experiment without penalty. However, if you change it very often, people who follow you may get confused about who you are, especially if they know you by a particular name. There is no waiting period between changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what shows next to your picture) is separate from your username (@handle), and you change them in different places.
  • Display name changes take effect when ready across all your tweets and profile, and followers see the new name right away.
  • You can change your display name as often as you want with no cooldown period or limit.
  • Changing your name does not affect your follower count, direct messages, or any tweets you have already posted.
  • You need access to your email or phone number linked to your account if you have two-factor authentication turned on.

How to change your name on a computer or phone browser

Open Twitter and log into your account. Click or tap the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner of the screen (on a phone, this may appear as three horizontal lines). Select Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu.

Click Account in the left sidebar. Look for the field labeled Name near the top of the page — this is your display name, not your username. Click into the text box, delete your current name, and type your new one. Twitter allows up to 50 characters for your display name, including spaces and special characters.

Once you have typed your new name, look for the Save button (usually at the bottom of the form or next to the name field). Click it. Your new name appears on your profile and next to all your tweets within seconds.

How to change your name using the Twitter app

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings and privacy. Select Account. Tap Your name or Name (the exact wording varies by app version).

The text field will open with your current display name highlighted. Delete it and type your new name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most special characters. Tap outside the text box or look for a checkmark or Done button to save. The change takes effect when ready.

The difference between your display name and your username

Your display name is what people see next to your profile picture in tweets and on your profile page. You can change it whenever you want, and it can include spaces and special characters. Your username (the @handle) is what people use to mention you or find you — for example, @JohnSmith. Usernames cannot have spaces and are more permanent.

If you want to change your username instead of your display name, go to Settings and privacy > Account and look for the field labeled Username. Twitter allows you to change your username once every 30 days. Changing your username does not affect your display name — you can have both be different, or you can make them match.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old display name disappears from your profile and from all your past tweets. People who were following you will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets. There is no archive or history of your old names visible to other users.

If someone had bookmarked your profile or saved a link to your page, the link still works — it goes to your account, not to a specific name. Your follower count, direct messages, and tweet history all stay exactly the same. Changing your name is purely cosmetic and does not affect any of your account data.

Troubleshooting if your name change does not save

If you click Save and your new name does not appear, first check that you have an active internet connection. Refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Sometimes Twitter takes a few seconds to process the change, especially on slower connections.

If the problem continues, log out completely and log back in. This forces your account to sync with Twitter's servers. If you have two-factor authentication enabled and you are trying to change your name on a new device, Twitter may ask you to verify your identity through email or text message before allowing the change — check your email inbox or phone for a verification code and enter it when prompted.

If you see an error message saying your name contains forbidden words or characters, try removing special characters or numbers and using only letters and spaces. Twitter occasionally blocks certain words or phrases, though this is rare for display names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same name as another Twitter account?

Yes. Display names do not have to be unique on Twitter — many accounts can have the same display name. Your username (@handle) must be unique, but your display name can match anyone else's. This is why usernames are more important for identifying specific accounts.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

Twitter does not send a notification to your followers when you change your display name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

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

Yes. You can change your name to anything at any time, including a name you used in the past. There is no restriction on reusing old names or changing back and forth.

What if I want to change my username instead of my display name?

Go to Settings and privacy > Account and find the Username field (separate from the Name field). You can change your username once every 30 days. Usernames must start with @ and cannot contain spaces, but display names can.

Does changing my name affect my tweets or followers?

No. Your tweets, follower count, following list, and direct messages all stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed next to your profile picture and on your tweets changes. People who follow you keep following you regardless of what name you choose.