What you can and cannot change on Reddit
Reddit lets you change your display name (the name that appears next to your posts) but not your username (the login name you created when you signed up). This matters because your username is permanent — once you pick it, you cannot change it to something else on the same account. Your display name, by contrast, can be changed as many times as you want.
If you hate your username and cannot live with it, your only option is to create a new Reddit account with a different username and start over. You will lose your post history, karma, and subscriptions on the old account. Many people keep their old account anyway in case they want to reference something they posted years ago.
The display name is what most people see when they read your comments or posts. It sits next to your avatar and appears in your profile. Changing it takes about one minute and does not affect your login credentials or account history.
Key Takeaways
- Your Reddit username cannot be changed once created, so if you dislike it, you will need to make a new account.
- Your display name can be changed anytime from your account settings and is what other users see next to your posts.
- Changing your display name does not affect your login password, saved posts, or comment history.
- A new display name takes effect when ready across all your posts and comments, both old and new.
How to change your display name on desktop
Open Reddit in a web browser and log in. Click your avatar or username in the top right corner of the screen. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Select User Settings (or sometimes labeled as Settings).
In the Settings page, look for the Profile tab on the left side. Click it. You will see a field labeled Display Name with your current name already filled in. Click in that field and type your new display name. Reddit allows up to 30 characters. When you are done typing, click the Save button below the field.
The change takes effect when ready. Refresh the page or navigate to your profile to see the new name displayed next to your avatar. If you made a mistake, you can return to this same screen and change it again at any time.
How to change your display name on mobile
Open the Reddit app and tap your avatar in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top left corner (on Android). This takes you to your profile. Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right of your profile screen. Select Settings from the menu that appears.
Scroll down and tap Display Name. A text field will open with your current name. Delete the old name and type your new one. Tap Save or Done depending on your device. The new name appears on your profile and next to all your posts and comments within seconds.
What happens to your old posts and comments
Every post and comment you made under your old display name will when ready show your new display name instead. This is true for posts from years ago. If someone clicks on an old comment of yours, they will see your current display name, not the name you had when you posted it.
Your karma score, awards, and saved posts all stay the same. The change is purely cosmetic — it affects only how your name appears to other users. Your account history, subscriptions, and settings remain untouched.
Why you might want to change your display name
People change their display names for many reasons. You might have chosen a name when you first joined Reddit that no longer feels like you, or you might want to use a more professional name if your account is linked to your real identity. Some users change their display name periodically for privacy reasons, though this does not hide your username or make your old posts harder to find.
If you are concerned about privacy, remember that changing your display name alone does not make your account anonymous. Anyone who knows your username can still find all your posts and comments. If you want a truly separate account for different topics or communities, creating a new account with a new username is the better approach.
If you want to change your username instead
Since Reddit usernames cannot be changed, your options are limited. You can create a new account with a different username, but you will start from zero with no post history or karma. Some people maintain multiple accounts for different purposes — one for professional communities, one for hobbies, one for throwaway posts.
If you created your account years ago and rarely use it, you might straightforward abandon the old username and start fresh. If you have built up karma and a reputation you want to keep, you will need to decide whether the username bothers you enough to walk away from that history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username to something someone else is using?
No. Usernames on Reddit are unique — no two accounts can have the same username. If the name you want is taken, you cannot use it. You would need to choose a different variation or create a new account if you want that specific name and it becomes available (which is rare).
Will changing my display name affect my password or login?
No. Your login credentials stay exactly the same. You log in with your username, not your display name. Changing your display name does not change your password or how you access your account.
Can other people see when I change my display name?
Reddit does not send notifications to other users when you change your display name. People will straightforward see your new name the next time they view your profile or read one of your posts. There is no change log visible to the public.
What if I change my display name and then want to change it back?
You can change your display name back to anything you want, including your old name, at any time. There is no limit on how many times you can change it. Just return to your settings and update the Display Name field again.
Does changing my display name hide my post history?
No. Your posts and comments remain linked to your account and visible to anyone who visits your profile. Changing your display name does not make your history private or harder to find. If you want to hide specific posts, you would need to delete them individually.