Where to find your username settings on the platform you use

The location of username settings varies by platform. On Twitch, go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), select Channel, then find Display Name. On YouTube, click your profile picture, select Create a Channel or Manage Your Channels, then click the pencil icon next to your channel name. On Discord, click the User Settings gear icon, go to User Profile, and edit the username field at the top.

Most platforms distinguish between your login username (the account name you use to sign in) and your display name (what other people see). You can usually change your display name freely and often, but your login username may have restrictions on how often you can change it or whether you can change it at all. Check the specific platform's help center before you start, since the rules differ.

Key Takeaways

  • Display names and login usernames are different things; most platforms let you change your display name anytime but restrict how often you can change your login username.
  • Twitch, YouTube, and Discord all keep your old username unavailable for a set period after you change it, so someone else cannot when ready claim it.
  • Changing your username does not affect your followers, subscribers, or saved content, but it may confuse people who know you by your old name.
  • Some platforms charge a small fee to change your username more than once per year, or require you to wait 30 to 90 days between changes.

Twitch: changing your display name and login name

On Twitch, your display name is what viewers see in chat and on your channel page. To change it, go to Settings, click Channel, and look for Display Name. You can change this as often as you want with no restrictions or fees. Type your new name and click Save.

Your login username (the name you use to sign in) is separate and much harder to change. Twitch does not allow you to change your login username yourself through the settings menu. If you need to change it, you must contact Twitch Support directly through their help center and explain why. They may or may not grant the request. Most people keep their login username and only change their display name.

YouTube: changing your channel name

YouTube treats your channel name as your display name. To change it, click your profile picture in the top right, select Manage Your Channels, then click the pencil icon next to your channel name. Type your new name and click Create. You can change your channel name once every 90 days at no cost.

If you try to change it again before 90 days have passed, YouTube will show you a countdown timer telling you when you can change it next. Your Google account username (the email-like name you use to sign in) is separate from your channel name and cannot be changed through YouTube settings; you would need to change it through your Google Account settings instead, which affects all Google services you use.

Discord: changing your username and display name

Discord has two separate name fields. Your username is your unique identifier across Discord (like @priya.desai#1234), and your display name is what appears in servers and direct messages. You can change your display name as often as you want by going to User Settings, clicking User Profile, and editing the Display Name field.

Your username can be changed once per hour. Go to User Settings, select User Profile, and edit the Username field. Discord will show you a confirmation screen. After you change it, your old username becomes unavailable for a short period so no one else can claim it when ready. If you have Discord Nitro (a paid subscription), you can change your username more frequently.

What happens to your followers and content when you change your name

Changing your username or display name does not affect your followers, subscribers, or any content you have posted. On Twitch, your followers stay subscribed to your channel. On YouTube, your subscribers remain subscribed. On Discord, your friends and server memberships stay intact. The change is cosmetic only.

However, people who know you by your old name may not recognize you when ready. If you have a large following or a well-known brand, consider announcing the change in advance so your audience knows it is still you. Some creators post a notice on their social media or in their channel description for a few weeks after the change.

Waiting periods and fees for changing your username

Most platforms impose waiting periods to prevent abuse and to keep old usernames from being claimed too quickly. Twitch does not charge a fee to change your display name, but changing your login username requires contacting support and is rarely granted. YouTube allows one free channel name change every 90 days. Discord allows one username change per hour and does not charge a fee unless you want to change it more frequently with Nitro.

Other platforms have different rules. Check your specific platform's help documentation before you change your name, because some services charge a small fee (usually a few dollars) if you want to change your username more than once per year. The fee exists to discourage people from changing their names constantly and confusing their audience.

How to keep your old username from being claimed by someone else

When you change your username, most platforms hold your old name unavailable for a set period. On Twitch, your old display name is held for 30 days. On YouTube, your old channel name is held for a short period. On Discord, your old username is held briefly. During this time, no one else can claim it.

If you want to reclaim your old username later, you can change back to it after the waiting period ends, as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If you are worried about losing a username you have built a reputation around, do not change it unless you have a strong reason. Some creators keep the same username across all platforms for years specifically to avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one?

Yes, as long as no one else has claimed it during the waiting period. Most platforms hold your old username unavailable for 30 to 90 days after you change it. After that period ends, you can change back to it if you want.

Will my followers know it is still me if I change my username?

Your followers will still be subscribed to your channel, but they may not recognize you if your old username was well-known. Consider posting an announcement on your social media or in your channel description so people know the change is intentional.

What if someone else claims my old username after I change it?

Most platforms hold your old username unavailable for a waiting period (30 to 90 days depending on the service). If someone claims it after that period ends, you cannot get it back. This is rare but possible, so do not change your username unless you are sure about it.

Can I change my login username, or only my display name?

It depends on the platform. Twitch does not allow login username changes through settings; you must contact support. YouTube and Discord allow you to change your display name freely, but changing your actual account username is either restricted or requires contacting support.

Do I need to pay to change my username?

Most platforms allow one free username change per year or per quarter. Twitch and Discord do not charge for display name changes. YouTube allows one free channel name change every 90 days. Some other platforms charge a small fee if you want to change more frequently.