How to change your name on X

Your display name on X is separate from your username (the @handle), and you can change it whenever you want without losing your account or followers. The display name is what appears above your posts and in your profile — the part people see first. You can change it back and forth as often as you like, and the change takes effect when ready across the platform.

To change your display name, open X on your phone or computer and tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner. Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu. Go to "Account" and then "Account information." Find the field labeled "Name" — this is your display name, not your username. Delete the current text and type the new name you want. X allows up to 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation. When you are done, click or tap outside the field or press Enter, and the change saves automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name and your username (@handle) are two different things — changing your display name does not change your @handle and does not affect your followers or account history.
  • Display name changes take effect when ready and are visible to everyone on the platform right away.
  • You can use up to 50 characters for your display name, including spaces, numbers, and most punctuation marks.
  • If you want to change your username instead, that process is different and may have restrictions depending on how long you have owned the account.

Where to find the name field on mobile

On iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture in the top left corner of the home feed. This opens a menu with several options. Tap "Settings and privacy" — it is usually near the bottom of the menu. Then tap "Settings and privacy" again in the next screen to open the full settings menu.

From there, tap "Account" and then "Account information." You will see several fields including your email, phone number, and at the top, your name. Tap directly on the name field to edit it. The keyboard will appear and you can delete the old name and type the new one. Once you tap outside the field or press the checkmark, the change saves right away.

Where to find the name field on desktop

On a computer, click your profile picture in the top left corner of the page. A dropdown menu appears. Click "Settings and privacy." This takes you to the settings page. On the left side, click "Account," then click "Account information" below it.

The name field appears near the top of the Account information section. Click inside it to select the text, then delete the old name and type the new one. You do not need to click a save button — X saves the change automatically when you click outside the field or move to a different section.

What happens when you change your name

When you change your display name, only that name changes. Your username (the @handle that starts with @) stays exactly the same. Anyone who follows you continues to follow you, all your old posts remain on your account, and your follower count does not change. People who have you bookmarked or saved will still find you under your new name.

The change is visible when ready to everyone on X. If someone is looking at your profile at the exact moment you change your name, they may need to refresh the page to see the new name, but within seconds it appears everywhere. There is no delay or waiting period.

Changing your username instead of your display name

If you want to change your @handle (username) rather than your display name, that is a different process with more restrictions. Your username is what appears after the @ symbol and is used in links to your profile. You can change it, but X limits how often you can do this depending on your account age and subscription status.

To change your username, go to Settings and privacy, then Account, then Account information. Look for the "Username" field — this is separate from the Name field. Click or tap it and type a new username. The new username must be between 4 and 15 characters, can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot be a username that is already taken. If the username is available, X will confirm it with a green checkmark. If it is taken, you will see a message saying the username is unavailable.

When you change your username, your old @handle becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Anyone who has a link to your old profile will be redirected to your new one, but bookmarks and saved links may break. For this reason, most people change their username rarely, if at all.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If you cannot find the name field, make sure you are logged into your own account and not viewing someone else's profile. The name field only appears when you are editing your own account. If you are on mobile, make sure you tapped your own profile picture in the top left corner, not someone else's profile.

If the change does not seem to save, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the X app. Sometimes the interface needs a moment to sync the change across X's servers. If you see an error message, it usually means you have tried to change your name too many times in a short period — X has rate limits to prevent spam. Wait a few hours and try again.

If you are trying to change your username and it says the name is unavailable, that username is already taken by another account. Try a variation with numbers or underscores. Remember that usernames are case-insensitive on X, so @MyName and @myname are the same account.

Why you might want to change your name

People change their display name on X for many reasons. You might want to add a title or credential to your name, like "Sarah Chen, Photographer" instead of just "Sarah Chen." You might want to change it seasonally or for a specific event. Some people change their name temporarily to promote a project or cause, then change it back later.

Because display name changes are when ready and do not affect your followers or account history, there is no downside to changing it. You can experiment with different names and change back whenever you want. Your followers will see the new name the next time they look at your profile, but they will still be following the same account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my name make me lose my followers?

No. Your followers remain followers regardless of what name you use. Your account, follower count, and all your posts stay exactly the same. The only thing that changes is what people see displayed above your profile and posts.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my display name?

You can use most punctuation marks and numbers in your display name. Emojis are allowed and count toward your 50-character limit. Some special characters like @ or # may not work, but X will let you know if you try to use one that is not permitted.

What is the difference between my name and my username?

Your name is your display name — what people see at the top of your profile and above your posts. Your username is your @handle, like @JohnSmith. You can change your display name as often as you want, but changing your username has restrictions and can break old links to your profile.

How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere?

Your new display name appears when ready on X. If someone is viewing your profile when you change it, they may need to refresh the page to see the update, but it should appear within seconds across the entire platform.

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

Yes. You can change your display name back and forth as many times as you want. There is no restriction on how often you change it or whether you can reuse an old name you had previously.