The fastest way to change your channel name

You change your YouTube channel name through your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself. YouTube pulls your channel name from your Google Account profile, so updating one updates the other. The whole process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you use a computer or phone.

The name you see on your channel — the one that appears next to your videos and in comments — is controlled by your Google Account's display name. When you change that display name, it changes everywhere: on YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, and any other Google service you use. If you only want to change how your name appears on YouTube and nowhere else, you will need to create a separate YouTube channel with a different Google Account, which is a longer process covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Your YouTube channel name comes from your Google Account display name, so changing one changes the other across all Google services.
  • To change only your YouTube name without affecting Gmail and other Google services, you need to create a second YouTube channel using a different Google Account.
  • The display name change takes effect when ready on YouTube, but may take a few hours to update everywhere else.
  • You can change your display name as many times as you want, though YouTube limits how often you can change your channel URL (the custom web address).

Changing your display name on a computer

Open YouTube and sign in to the account that owns the channel. In the top right corner, click your profile picture (a small circle with your initial or photo). A menu will drop down. Click Create a channel if you have never made one, or Settings if you already have. If you see Settings, click it.

On the left side of the page, click Account. Then click Personal info. You will see your name at the top. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new name in the box that appears. Click Save when you are done. YouTube will ask you to confirm — click Save again. The change takes effect when ready on your channel, though it may take a few hours to show up in comments and other places.

Changing your display name on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Account. Tap Personal info. You will see your name listed. Tap it to edit. Type your new name and tap Save. The change takes effect right away on your channel.

If you use an iPhone or iPad, the steps are the same. If you are using a work or school Google Account, your administrator may have locked your display name so you cannot change it. In that case, the edit button will not appear, and you will need to contact your administrator to make the change.

Creating a separate YouTube channel with a different name

If you want your YouTube channel to have a different name than your Gmail address and other Google services, you need a separate YouTube channel. This means creating a new Google Account just for that channel. You cannot have two channels under the same Google Account with different names.

Create a new Google Account by going to accounts.google.com and clicking Create account. Fill in the name you want to use for your YouTube channel. Once the account is set up, sign into YouTube with this new account and create your channel. This new channel will be completely separate from your main one — you will need to switch between accounts to manage them both, and subscribers to one channel will not automatically see the other.

What happens to your old channel name

When you change your display name, your old name disappears when ready. People who search for your old name will not find your channel anymore. If you had a custom URL (like youtube.com/c/yourname), that URL stays the same even after you change your display name, so people with the old link can still reach you.

You can change your display name as many times as you want, but YouTube limits how often you can change your custom URL — usually once every 90 days. If you have not set up a custom URL yet and want one, you can do that in Settings under Channel. YouTube will suggest one based on your current display name, but you can type a different one if it is available.

Why your channel name is tied to your Google Account

YouTube is owned by Google, and all YouTube accounts are Google Accounts. Your display name on your Google Account controls how your name appears across all Google services — YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and others. This design means you cannot have different names on different services without creating separate Google Accounts.

Some people create multiple Google Accounts for this reason: one for work, one for personal use, one for a business or creative project. Each account can have its own YouTube channel with its own name. The downside is that you have to sign out and sign back in to switch between them, and your subscribers and watch history stay separate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my channel name without changing my Gmail address?

Your Gmail address and your display name are separate things. Your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) never changes. Your display name is what appears on your channel and in emails you send — you can change that without touching your Gmail address. So yes, you can keep your Gmail the same and change only how your name appears.

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

Your channel name changes when ready on YouTube itself. Comments, messages, and other places may take a few hours to catch up. If you see your old name somewhere after a few hours, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache.

What if someone else took the channel name I want?

YouTube does not reserve channel names, so if the name you want is already in use, you cannot have it. You will need to pick a different name or create a channel under a different Google Account and hope that name is available.

Can I change my channel name if I have a lot of subscribers?

Yes. Changing your display name does not affect your subscribers, videos, or watch history. Your channel keeps all of its content and audience. Your custom URL (if you have one) also stays the same, so people with the old link can still find you.

What if I want to go back to my old channel name?

You can change your display name back anytime. There is no limit to how many times you can change it. Just follow the same steps and type your old name back in.