Change Your Display Name in Gmail Settings

Your Gmail display name is what appears in the "From" field when you send an email. To change it, open Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right, and select See all settings. Go to the Accounts and Import tab, then find the section labeled Send mail as. Click Edit info next to your name, type your new name in the box, and click Save changes.

This change takes effect when ready on new emails you send. Old emails you already sent will still show your previous name—Gmail does not retroactively change the sender name on past messages. If you have multiple email addresses set up in the Send mail as section, you can change the display name for each one separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Gmail display name is edited in Settings under Accounts and Import, in the Send mail as section.
  • The display name change applies only to new emails you send, not to emails already in your inbox or sent folder.
  • If you have multiple email addresses configured in Gmail, you can set a different display name for each one.
  • The change takes effect when ready and does not require you to sign out or restart Gmail.
  • Your actual Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) cannot be changed through settings—that requires a different process.

The Difference Between Display Name and Email Address

Gmail has two separate parts: your display name (what people see when you email them) and your email address (your actual Gmail username). Changing the display name in Settings only changes what appears in the "From" field. Your actual email address stays the same.

If you want to change your actual Gmail address—the part before @gmail.com—that is a different process and has strict limitations. Google does not allow you to change your Gmail address directly. Your only option is to create a new Gmail account with a different address and transfer your data, or use Google Workspace if you need a custom domain.

What Happens When You Change Your Display Name

When you update your display name, Gmail applies it to all new outgoing mail. Recipients will see the new name in their inbox when you send them a message. However, if you have already sent emails to someone using your old name, those past emails will still show the old name in their inbox—Gmail does not update the sender information on messages that have already been delivered.

Your contacts will not receive a notification that you changed your name. If you want people to know about the change, you may want to send them a quick message or update your email signature to mention it. This is especially useful if you have changed your legal name or are using a professional name instead of a personal one.

Using Multiple Display Names for Different Email Addresses

If you have set up multiple email addresses in your Gmail account (under Send mail as), you can assign a different display name to each one. This is useful if you manage both a personal and professional email address from the same Gmail inbox. Click Edit info next to each address and set the name you want to appear for that specific address.

When you compose a new email, you can choose which address to send from using the dropdown menu in the compose window. The display name for that address will automatically appear in the "From" field. This lets you keep your professional and personal identities separate without managing two separate Gmail accounts.

Troubleshooting Display Name Changes That Do Not Appear

If you changed your display name but it is not showing up on emails you send, refresh your browser or sign out and back into Gmail. Sometimes the change takes a few minutes to sync across Google's servers. Clear your browser cache if the old name keeps appearing after you have waited a few minutes.

If you are using Gmail through a work or school account (Google Workspace), your administrator may have locked the display name so you cannot change it yourself. Contact your IT department or administrator to request a name change. Personal Gmail accounts do not have this restriction.

Changing Your Google Account Name Across All Services

Your Gmail display name is separate from your Google Account name, which appears in other Google services like Google Drive, Google Photos, and YouTube. If you want to change the name that appears across all Google services, go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info on the left, and edit your name there. This change will update your name everywhere you use your Google Account.

Be aware that changing your Google Account name may affect how your name appears in shared documents, comments, and other collaborative features. If you only want to change how your name appears in Gmail specifically, stick with the Send mail as method described earlier in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address itself, not just the display name?

No, Google does not allow you to change your actual Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com). You can only change the display name that appears in the "From" field. If you need a different email address, you must create a new Gmail account.

Will people I emailed before see my new name on old messages?

No. Old emails you already sent will continue to show your previous display name. Only new emails you send after the change will show your updated name. Gmail does not retroactively update the sender name on past messages.

How long does it take for the display name change to show up?

The change usually appears when ready on new emails. If it does not show up right away, refresh your browser or sign out and back in. It may take a few minutes for the change to sync across all Google servers.

Can my Gmail administrator prevent me from changing my display name?

Yes, if you use Gmail through a work or school account (Google Workspace), your administrator can restrict display name changes. Contact your IT department or administrator to request a change if you cannot edit it yourself.

What if I want different names for different recipients?

Gmail does not support sending the same email to different people with different display names. However, if you have multiple email addresses set up in your account, you can assign a different display name to each address and choose which one to send from when composing.