You can't actually change Siri's name, but you can change what Siri calls you

Siri is Apple's voice assistant, and its name is fixed — you cannot rename it to something else. What you can change is what Siri calls you. When you tell Siri your name, it uses that name in responses and can personalize certain features. This is a straightforward setting you control from your device's settings menu.

The confusion usually comes from the fact that people want to customize Siri itself, but Apple does not allow that. What you get instead is the ability to tell Siri who you are, which changes how Siri addresses you in conversation.

Key Takeaways

  • Siri's name cannot be changed — it is always Siri on any Apple device.
  • You can tell Siri your name through Settings, and Siri will use that name when speaking to you.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Siri & Search > My Information and select your contact card.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Siri & Spotlight > My Information and choose your contact card.
  • Once you set your name, Siri will use it in responses like "I'll remind you about that, [your name]."

How to tell Siri your name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and scroll down to find Siri & Search. Tap it, then look for My Information near the top of the screen. Tap My Information and you will see a list of your contacts. Select the contact card that represents you — this is usually your own name in your contacts list.

Once you select your contact card, Siri will know your name and use it in responses. You can change this at any time by going back to the same menu and selecting a different contact card, or by removing the selection entirely if you do not want Siri to use a name.

How to tell Siri your name on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Scroll down and click Siri & Spotlight. Look for My Information and click the dropdown menu next to it. Select your contact card from the list of contacts on your Mac.

The process is the same as on iPhone and iPad — you are telling Siri which contact card represents you. Once you do this, Siri will use your name in conversation on your Mac.

What happens after you set your name

After you tell Siri your name, it will use that name in certain responses. For example, if you set a reminder, Siri might say "I'll remind you about that, Sarah" instead of just "I'll remind you about that." Some Apple features also use this information to personalize your experience, though the main effect is straightforward that Siri addresses you by name.

This setting is stored on your device and synced across your Apple devices if you use the same Apple ID. If you change your name or want Siri to stop using a name, you can return to the same settings menu and change or remove your contact card selection.

Why you might want to set your name

Setting your name is optional, but some people find it more natural to have Siri address them by name. It can also help Siri understand personal requests better — for instance, if you ask Siri to call someone and that person shares a name with you, Siri might use your contact information to clarify the request.

There is no privacy or security risk to telling Siri your name. The information stays on your device and is not shared with Apple or third parties unless you explicitly choose to sync it with iCloud.

What you cannot customize about Siri

You cannot change Siri's voice name from "Siri" to something else like "Alex" or "Assistant." You can change Siri's voice accent and gender — on iPhone, go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice and choose from the available options — but the name itself stays the same across all Apple devices.

Some people confuse this with changing Siri's voice, which you can do. Changing the voice changes how Siri sounds when it speaks to you, but it does not change what Siri is called. The name "Siri" is part of Apple's branding and cannot be customized by users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename Siri to something else?

No. Siri's name is fixed and cannot be changed. You can only tell Siri what your name is, not what Siri should be called. If you want a different voice or accent, you can change those settings, but the name remains Siri.

Will Siri work better if I set my name?

Not significantly. Setting your name mainly allows Siri to address you personally in responses. It may help in edge cases where Siri needs to distinguish between you and someone else with a similar name, but the core functionality of Siri does not depend on whether you set your name.

What if I do not want Siri to use my name?

Go back to Settings > Siri & Search > My Information and remove the contact card selection. You can also leave it blank. Siri will then respond without using your name in conversation.

Does setting my name share my information with Apple?

No. Your name is stored on your device. It is only synced to Apple's servers if you have iCloud sync turned on for contacts, which is a separate setting. You control whether your contact information syncs to iCloud.