Where to find the name change option

Instagram lets you change the name that appears on your profile separately from your username. The name change happens in your account settings, not in your profile itself. Open Instagram, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.

From the menu, select Settings and privacy, then Account center. You'll see options for different parts of your account. Tap Personal information, then Name. This is where you enter what you want people to see when they visit your profile.

On a computer, the path is the same: go to your profile, click the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name and your username are two different things — changing your name does not change your Instagram handle or the link people use to find you.
  • You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period or limit on how many times per month.
  • The name change takes effect when ready across all your posts, comments, and your profile, but old posts will not show the updated name in their timestamps.
  • If you change your name back and forth frequently, followers may see the old name in notifications for a few minutes before it updates.

The difference between your name and your username

Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and next to your comments and posts. Your username (also called your handle) is the @name that people use to search for you and tag you. Changing your display name does not change your username, and changing your username does not change your display name.

If you want to change your username instead, that is a separate process. Go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Username. Instagram lets you change your username once every 14 days. If you change it, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.

Most people change their display name because they got married, go by a nickname, or want to add a business name or emoji. You can use spaces, punctuation, and special characters in your display name, but your username can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.

What happens to your old name after you change it

When you change your display name, the new name shows up when ready on your profile and on all your posts and comments going forward. People who were following you will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity.

Old posts and comments will not retroactively show the new name in the post itself — they will still show the name you had when you posted them. However, if someone clicks on your profile from an old post, they will see your current display name at the top of your profile. Notifications for old activity (like someone liking a post from months ago) will show your current name, not the name you had when you posted it.

If you change your name back and forth in a short time, followers may see both names in their notifications for a few minutes while Instagram's systems catch up. This is temporary and resolves on its own.

How often you can change your name

Instagram does not limit how many times you can change your display name or how often you can do it. You can change it every day if you want, and there is no waiting period between changes. This is different from your username, which has a 14-day waiting period between changes.

However, if you change your name very frequently, some followers may find it confusing, and Instagram's systems may take a few minutes to update everywhere. For practical purposes, most people change their display name once and leave it alone, or change it a few times a year for specific reasons like seasonal business names or event promotions.

Changing your name on a business or creator account

If you have a business or creator account, the process is the same as a personal account. Go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Name. The name you enter here is what appears on your profile and in search results.

Business accounts also have a separate field for a business category or label (like "Restaurant" or "Photographer"), which you can set in your profile settings. This label appears below your name and helps people understand what you do. Changing your display name does not affect this label.

If you run multiple Instagram accounts, each one has its own display name and username. You can switch between accounts by tapping your profile icon and selecting the account you want to use, then change the name for that specific account.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If you try to change your name and see an error message, the most common reason is that Instagram thinks you are changing it too quickly. Wait a few minutes and try again. If the problem continues, try logging out and logging back in, or closing and reopening the app.

If you see a message that your name violates Instagram's community guidelines, it usually means the name contains words Instagram flags automatically. This can happen with names that include certain words even if you did not intend them that way. Try removing or changing the word that triggered the flag, or contact Instagram support through the app if you believe the flag was a mistake.

If your name change is not showing up on other people's screens, wait 15 to 30 minutes for Instagram's systems to sync. If it still has not appeared after an hour, try logging out and back in again. Changes almost always appear within a few minutes, but occasionally Instagram's servers take longer to update.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your display name can include spaces, punctuation, emojis, and special characters. Your username (the @handle) can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. If you want an emoji in your name, put it in your display name, not your username.

If I change my name, will my followers still be able to find me?

Yes. Your username stays the same when you change your display name, so anyone who follows you or has your profile link will still find you. Your display name is just what appears at the top of your profile — it does not affect how people search for you or tag you.

What if someone else takes my old display name?

Display names are not unique on Instagram — multiple people can have the same display name. If you change your name and someone else uses your old name, that is fine. Your username is what makes your account unique, and that does not change when you update your display name.

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

Yes. You can change your name to anything you want at any time. If you want to go back to a previous name, just enter it in the name field and save. There is no limit on how many times you can do this or how quickly you can do it.

Does changing my display name affect my Instagram handle or URL?

No. Your display name and your username are separate. Changing your display name does not change your @username or the link to your profile. If you want to change your username, you have to do that in a different setting, and you can only change it once every 14 days.