You can change your Twitter name in Settings in under a minute

Open Twitter on your phone or computer and go to Settings and Privacy, then Account. Select "Your account information" and tap the edit icon next to your name. Type your new name — up to 50 characters — and save. The change takes effect when ready across your account and timeline.

Twitter distinguishes between your display name (what appears on your profile) and your handle or username (the @address that does not change). You can alter your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period or restrictions. Your handle — the part that starts with @ — follows different rules and cannot be changed through the same process.

The name you enter is public and visible to everyone who views your profile. You do not need to verify your identity or provide documentation. Twitter does not require your legal name; you can use a nickname, business name, or any text you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name can be changed when ready from Settings and Privacy > Account > Your account information, and you can change it back anytime.
  • The @ handle (username) is separate from your display name and cannot be edited directly — you must create a new account or contact Twitter support if you need a different handle.
  • Twitter does not require your legal name or any proof of identity for your display name.
  • Changing your name does not affect your followers, direct messages, or any content you have posted.

Where to find the name change option

On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (Android) or top left (iPhone). Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy. Tap Account, then Your account information. You will see your current name with an edit icon (pencil) next to it.

On a computer, click the three dots in the left sidebar and select Settings and Privacy. Click Account in the left menu, then Your account information. The edit icon appears next to your name in the main panel.

If you cannot find these options, confirm you are logged in to the correct account. Some third-party apps that connect to Twitter do not allow name changes — you must use the official Twitter app or website.

What happens when you change your name

Your new name appears on your profile, in replies, and in retweets when ready. All your previous tweets remain under your account with the new name attached. Your followers do not receive a notification that you changed your name, but they will see it the next time they visit your profile.

Your follower count, following list, direct messages, and saved tweets do not change. People who have you bookmarked or mentioned in tweets will still see those references — the @ handle stays the same, so the connection remains intact.

If you change your name back to what it was before, Twitter does not treat it as a new account. You can change your name as many times as you want without losing anything.

The difference between your name and your handle

Your display name is what people see when they look at your profile — it can contain spaces, capital letters, emoji, and special characters. Your handle or username is the @address (for example, @sarah_okafor) that appears in your profile URL and is how people mention you in tweets. Handles can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.

You cannot change your handle through the name change process. If you want a different handle, you must either create a new account or contact Twitter support. Changing your handle is more complex because it affects how people tag and mention you, and old @ mentions will no longer link to your account.

Many people use their display name for a readable version (Sarah Okafor) and keep their handle as a username (@sarahokafor). You can change the display name freely without affecting how people find or mention you.

Changing your name on Twitter for business or rebranding

If you run a business account or personal brand account, you can change your display name to reflect a rebrand without losing your followers or history. Your handle stays the same, so people who follow you or have bookmarked your profile will still find you.

Before you change your name, consider whether your audience will recognize you. If your account is well-known under your current name, a sudden change may confuse followers. You can post a tweet explaining the change before or after you make it.

If you want to change your handle as part of a rebrand, you will need to contact Twitter support or create a new account. Twitter does not allow handle changes through the settings menu, and support requests for handle changes are not always granted, especially if the account is new or has low activity.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If the edit icon does not appear next to your name, you may be using a third-party app or browser extension that does not support the feature. Switch to the official Twitter app or go to twitter.com in a web browser and try again.

If you see an error message when you try to save, the name may contain characters Twitter does not allow. Remove emoji, special symbols, or extra spaces and try again. Twitter allows most standard letters and numbers, but some Unicode characters may cause issues.

If your name change does not appear after you save it, refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Changes usually take effect within seconds, but in rare cases may take a few minutes to sync across Twitter's servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your name as many times as you want, and Twitter does not prevent you from using a previous name again. There is no waiting period between changes.

Will people lose my account if I change my name?

No. Your handle (the @ address) does not change, so anyone who follows you, has you bookmarked, or has mentioned you in tweets will still be connected to your account. Your profile URL stays the same.

Can I use special characters or emoji in my Twitter name?

Yes. Your display name can include emoji, accented letters, and most special characters. Your handle (the @ address) can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.

What if someone else takes the name I want to use?

Display names are not unique on Twitter — many accounts can have the same name. Only handles are unique. If the handle you want is taken, you cannot use it unless you create a new account or the current owner changes theirs.

Does changing my name affect my Twitter verification badge?

No. If your account has a verification badge, it remains after you change your name. The badge is tied to your account, not your name.