YouTube lets you change the name that appears on your channel in two places, and they work separately

Your channel name is what viewers see at the top of your channel page and in the comment section. Your Google Account name is what appears next to your uploads and comments if you haven't customized your channel name. You can change your channel name as many times as you want, but your Google Account name has stricter limits — you can change it once every 90 days.

Most people want to change their channel name, which is the faster route. That takes about five minutes and shows up when ready. If you change your Google Account name instead, it affects your entire Google ecosystem — Gmail, Drive, Google Photos — so most creators leave that alone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your channel name is separate from your Google Account name, and you can change your channel name as often as you want.
  • To change your channel name, go to YouTube Studio, click your profile picture, select "Create a channel" or "Manage your Google Account," then find the channel name field and type the new name.
  • Changes to your channel name show up when ready across YouTube, but your old name may still appear in some places for a few hours.
  • If you change your Google Account name instead, it affects Gmail, Google Drive, and all other Google services, and you can only do this once every 90 days.

How to change your channel name in YouTube Studio

Open YouTube Studio on a computer or phone. Click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Create a channel" if you have never customized your channel name, or "Manage your Google Account" if you already have one set up.

On a computer, you will land on your Google Account page. Click the "Personal info" tab on the left. Find the "Name" field and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new channel name in the first field (this is what viewers see). Leave the last name field blank if you want a single-word name. Click "Save" at the bottom.

On a phone, tap "Personal info" at the bottom of the screen, then tap "Name." Tap the pencil icon, type your new name, and tap "Save."

What happens when ready after you change it

Your new channel name appears on your channel page, in the comment section, and next to any videos you upload — usually within a few minutes. Subscribers will see the new name the next time they visit your channel. Old comments you wrote under your previous name will still show the old name, because YouTube does not retroactively update past comments.

If you search for your old channel name, you may still find your channel for a few hours while YouTube's systems catch up. After that, only your new name will pull up your channel in search results. Your channel URL (the link to your channel) does not change, so anyone with your old link can still reach you.

The difference between channel name and Google Account name

Your channel name is purely for YouTube. You can change it as many times as you want, and it only affects how you appear on YouTube. This is what most creators change.

Your Google Account name is your legal name in the Google system. Changing it affects your Gmail display name, Google Drive file ownership, Google Photos albums, and any other Google service. You can change it only once every 90 days, and Google may ask you to verify your identity. Most people should leave this alone unless they have a legal name change.

If you cannot find the name field

If you are on a brand account (a channel owned by a business or organization rather than a person), the name field may be in a different location. Go to YouTube Studio, click "Settings" in the left menu, then "Channel," then "Basic info." Your channel name should be at the top of that page.

If you still do not see an editable name field, your account may be restricted by YouTube's policies. This sometimes happens to channels that have received strikes or violations. You can contact YouTube Support through the Help Center to ask why the field is locked.

Changing your name on a phone or tablet

The process is the same on Android and iPhone. Open the YouTube app, tap your profile picture in the top right, and select "Manage your Google Account." Tap "Personal info," then "Name." Tap the pencil icon, type your new channel name, and tap "Save."

If you are using a tablet, the layout may look slightly different, but the steps are identical. Make sure you are signed into the Google Account that owns your YouTube channel — if you have multiple accounts, tapping your profile picture will show you which account is active.

What you should know before changing your name

If your channel has a lot of subscribers or a strong brand identity, changing your name may confuse people who know you by your old name. Some creators keep their old name in their channel description or about section so people can find them if they search for the old name.

Changing your name does not affect your subscriber count, video history, playlists, or any other channel data. Your watch history, likes, and comments stay exactly the same. If you change your mind, you can change it back when ready — there is no waiting period for reverting to an old name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your channel name as many times as you want, so reverting to an old name takes the same steps as changing to a new one. There is no waiting period or limit on how often you can switch back and forth.

Will my subscribers be notified when I change my channel name?

No. YouTube does not send a notification to your subscribers when you change your channel name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your channel, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

Does changing my channel name affect my videos or upload history?

No. Your videos, upload dates, view counts, and all other channel data stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears next to your uploads changes. Old comments you made under your previous name will still show the old name.

What if I want to change my name but keep my old channel URL?

Your channel URL never changes, even when you change your name. The link to your channel stays the same, so anyone with your old URL can still reach you. Only the display name changes.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my YouTube channel name?

Yes. YouTube allows spaces, numbers, and most special characters in channel names. You can use emojis, hyphens, underscores, and other symbols. The only restriction is that your name cannot be blank or consist only of spaces.