Change Your Display Name in Gmail Settings

You can change the name that appears when you send emails without creating a new Gmail address. This is the quickest option if you want to keep your current email but show a different name to recipients. The name you set here is what people see in the "From" line when you send them a message.

Open Gmail in your web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select "See all settings," then click the "Accounts and Import" tab. Under "Send mail as," you'll see your current email address and display name. Click "Edit info" next to it, change the name field to what you want, and click "Save changes." This takes effect when ready on new emails you send.

If you have multiple email addresses set up in Gmail, you can set a different display name for each one. Just repeat the process for each address listed under "Send mail as."

Key Takeaways

  • Changing your display name in Gmail settings takes two minutes and does not affect your actual email address.
  • The display name change appears only on emails you send going forward, not on emails you have already sent.
  • You can set different display names for each email address you have configured in Gmail.
  • If you want to change your actual Gmail address itself, you must create a new account and transfer your data, since Gmail does not allow address changes on existing accounts.
  • Recipients will see your new display name the next time you send them an email after making the change.

What Happens to Your Old Display Name

Once you change your display name, it only affects emails you send from that point forward. Any emails you sent before the change will still show your old name in the recipient's inbox. The change does not retroactively update your name on past messages.

If you have forwarded your old email address to a new one, the display name you set on the new address is what will show when you send mail. The forwarding itself does not change what name appears in the "From" line.

Changing Your Gmail Address Itself (Not Just the Display Name)

Gmail does not allow you to change your actual email address on an existing account. If you need a different email address entirely, you must create a new Gmail account with the address you want. This is a separate process from changing your display name.

Before you create a new account, set up forwarding on your current Gmail so that emails sent to your old address still reach you. Go to Settings, click "Accounts and Import," then "Add a forwarding address" under "Check mail from other accounts." Enter your new Gmail address and confirm it. After that, any mail to your old address will automatically appear in your new inbox.

You can also set up an auto-reply on your old account to let people know you have moved to a new address. In Settings under the "General" tab, scroll to "Vacation responder" and turn it on with a message directing people to email you at your new address instead.

Using a Recovery Email or Phone Number

Your Gmail account is tied to a recovery email address and phone number, which are different from your display name. These are used to help you regain access if you forget your password. You can change these in Settings under "Accounts and Import" without affecting your Gmail address or display name.

If you want to change the recovery email, click "Change recovery email" and enter a new one. Gmail will send a confirmation link to that address. For the phone number, click "Change recovery phone" and follow the prompts. Keeping these current is important in case you ever need to recover your account.

Common Mistakes When Changing Your Name

The most common mistake is thinking that changing your display name will change your actual email address. It will not. If someone has your email address written down, they can still reach you at that same address no matter what display name you set.

Another mistake is changing your display name and then wondering why old emails still show the old name. Remember that the change only affects new emails going forward. If you need to notify people of a name change, you may want to send them a quick message explaining it.

Do not confuse your display name with your Gmail username (the part before @gmail.com). You cannot change your username on an existing account. If you absolutely need a different username, you must create a new Gmail account.

Setting Up Multiple Display Names for Different Purposes

If you have multiple email addresses in Gmail, you can give each one a different display name. This is useful if you use one address for work and another for personal mail. Each address can show a completely different name when you send from it.

To add another email address to Gmail, go to Settings, click "Accounts and Import," then "Add another email address you own" under "Send mail as." Follow the verification steps, and once it is confirmed, you can set a unique display name for that address. When you compose a new email, you can choose which address and display name to send from using the dropdown in the "From" field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my display name affect my password or security?

No. Your display name is purely what appears to other people when you send them mail. Your password, two-factor authentication, and all security settings remain exactly the same. Changing your display name does not require you to log in again or verify your identity.

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

Yes, anytime. Go back to Settings, click "Accounts and Import," find "Send mail as," click "Edit info," and change the name to whatever you want. You can change it as many times as you need.

If I change my display name, will my contacts see the change in their address book?

No. Your contacts' address books show the name they saved for you, not the display name you set in Gmail. If you want them to know your new name, you will need to tell them separately or send them an email so they see the new name in the "From" line.

What if I want to use a nickname or shortened version of my name?

You can use any name you want in the display name field. It does not have to be your legal name. You could use a nickname, a business name, or any other text you choose. Just type it in the name field and save.

Can I have different display names for the same email address?

No. Each email address in Gmail can only have one display name at a time. However, you can change it whenever you want. If you need to send from the same address with different names, you would need to change the display name each time before sending.