You can change your Instagram name in the app settings in under a minute
Instagram lets you change the name that appears on your profile whenever you want. This is the display name people see when they visit your account — not your username (the handle with the @ symbol). You can change your display name as many times as you like, and there is no waiting period between changes. The process takes about 30 seconds and works the same way on the mobile app and the web version.
The display name is separate from your username. Your username is permanent and harder to change; your display name is flexible. If you want to change your username instead, that requires a different process and has restrictions. This guide covers changing your display name, which is what most people mean when they ask about changing their name on Instagram.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what people see on your profile) can be changed when ready from the Edit Profile section, and you can change it back anytime.
- Your username (the @handle) is different from your display name and has stricter rules — you can only change it once every 14 days.
- Instagram does not review or approve display name changes, so the new name appears when ready after you save it.
- You cannot use certain characters or symbols in your display name, and Instagram will reject the change if you try.
How to change your display name on the mobile app
Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Edit Profile" near the top of the screen. The first field shows your current display name. Tap that field and delete the old name, then type your new name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and some punctuation marks like hyphens and periods.
After you type the new name, scroll down and tap "Done" or the checkmark button (the exact label depends on whether you are on iPhone or Android). Instagram saves the change when ready. Your new name appears on your profile right away, and anyone who visits your account will see it. You do not need to wait for approval or confirmation.
How to change your display name on the web version
Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the menu. Click "Edit Profile" near your profile picture. The display name field is the first text box on the page. Click it, clear the old name, and type your new one.
Scroll down and click "Submit" to save the change. The new name appears on your profile when ready. The web version works identically to the app — there is no review period or delay.
What characters and symbols you can use in your display name
Instagram allows letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores in your display name. You can also use some emoji. Avoid special characters like @, #, $, %, or &, because Instagram will reject the change and show an error message if you try to use them.
Your display name can be up to 30 characters long. If you type more than that, Instagram will not let you save the change. There is no restriction on how many times you can change your display name or how often you can do it — you can change it back and forth as much as you want.
The difference between your display name and your username
Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and in comments and posts. It is the friendly name people see. Your username is the @handle that comes after instagram.com/ in your profile URL. For example, if your username is @sarah_photography, your display name might be "Sarah's Photography Studio" or just "Sarah".
Display names are flexible and can be changed when ready. Usernames are more restrictive: you can only change your username once every 14 days, and Instagram may not allow certain usernames if they violate community guidelines or are already taken. If you want to change your username instead of your display name, that is a separate process in the same Edit Profile section, but it has a 14-day waiting period between changes.
What happens if Instagram rejects your display name change
If you see an error message when you try to save a new display name, the most common reason is that you used a character Instagram does not allow. Remove any special characters like @, #, or $, and try again. Another reason could be that your name is longer than 30 characters — count the letters and spaces and shorten it if needed.
Occasionally Instagram will reject a name if it violates community guidelines, such as if it contains hate speech or impersonates a public figure. In that case, you will see a message explaining why. Choose a different name and try again. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, you can contact Instagram support through the app, but display name rejections are usually straightforward to fix by choosing a different name.
Changing your name back or updating it again
You can change your display name back to what it was before, or change it to something completely different, at any time. There is no cooldown period and no limit on how many times you can do this. Go back to Edit Profile, tap the display name field, and type the new name you want.
This flexibility is useful if you want to test out a new name, use a seasonal name for your profile, or straightforward change your mind. Unlike your username, which locks you into a 14-day waiting period after each change, your display name is yours to update whenever you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my display name affect my followers or posts?
No. Your followers stay the same, your posts stay the same, and your follower count does not change. Only the name displayed on your profile changes. People who follow you will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts.
Can I use special characters or emoji in my display name?
You can use some emoji, but avoid special characters like @, #, $, %, or &. Instagram will reject the change if you use characters it does not allow. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores, and you will not run into problems.
How long does it take for my new display name to show up?
Your new display name appears when ready after you tap Done or Submit. There is no waiting period or review process. Anyone who visits your profile will see the new name right away.
Can I change my username the same way I change my display name?
Your username is in the same Edit Profile section, but it has different rules. You can only change your username once every 14 days, and Instagram may reject certain usernames. Your display name has no such restrictions and can be changed anytime.
What if I forgot what my old display name was?
You can see your current display name in the Edit Profile section. If you want to know what it was before your most recent change, Instagram does not show a history of past display names. If you need to remember it, check if anyone tagged you in old posts or screenshots — those would show your previous name.