The two places where your Gmail name appears, and how to change each one

Gmail stores your name in two separate places, and they work differently. Your Google Account name is what appears when you send an email — this is the display name recipients see. Your Gmail address itself (the part before @gmail.com) cannot be changed at all. If you need a different email address, you have to create a new Gmail account.

Most people want to change their display name, which takes about two minutes. That is the process covered here. If you are trying to change your actual Gmail address, you will need to set up a new account instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what people see when you email them) lives in your Google Account settings, not in Gmail itself.
  • Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" on the left, then click your name to edit it.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a business name, or any text you want — Gmail has no restrictions.
  • The change takes effect when ready for new emails, but old emails you already sent will still show your old name.
  • Your Gmail address (username@gmail.com) cannot be changed; if you need a different one, create a new Gmail account.

How to change your display name in Google Account settings

Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com. Sign in with the Gmail account you want to change. On the left side of the page, click "Personal info".

In the main section, you will see your name near the top. Click on it to open the edit box. Delete your current name and type the new one. You can enter anything — your full legal name, first name only, a nickname, initials, a business name, or any other text. Gmail does not restrict what you enter here. Click "Save" when you are done.

The change is live when ready. The next email you send will show your new name in the "From" field. Emails you sent before the change will still display your old name, because the name is stored with each message when it is sent.

Changing your name on the Gmail website or app

You can also change your display name directly from Gmail, though it routes you to the same Google Account settings page. Open Gmail in your browser or app. Click the gear icon in the top right corner and select "See all settings".

Click the "Accounts and Import" tab. Under "Send mail as," you will see your current name. Click "Edit info" next to it. Type your new name in the box and click "Save changes". This takes you through the same process as the Google Account method, just with a different starting point.

Why your Gmail address cannot be changed

Your Gmail address — the username@gmail.com part — is permanent and cannot be changed through any Google setting. This is by design. Your email address is the key that connects your account to every service that uses it, from banking to social media to work systems. Changing it would break all those connections.

If you need a different Gmail address, the only option is to create a new Gmail account. You can then forward emails from your old address to your new one, or set up your new address as an alias on your old account so people can reach you either way. Google does allow you to add alternate email addresses to your account, but these are secondary — your original Gmail address remains the primary one.

Setting up an alias or forwarding if you need a different address

If you want people to be able to email you at a different address without creating a whole new account, you can add an alias. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info," then scroll down to "Email." Click "Add an email address" and enter the new address you want to use. Google will send a confirmation link to that address — click it to confirm.

Once confirmed, you can send emails from either address. Recipients will see whichever address you choose to send from. However, your original Gmail address remains your account's primary address and cannot be removed.

If you have already created a new Gmail account and want to keep using your old one, you can set up forwarding. In your old account, go to Gmail settings, click the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab, and click "Add a forwarding address." Enter your new Gmail address and confirm it. From then on, all emails to your old address will automatically forward to your new one.

What happens to your old name on emails you already sent

When you send an email, Gmail stores your name with that message. Changing your display name does not go back and update old emails. If you sent someone a message under the name "Alex Smith" and then change your display name to "Alexandra Smith," that old email will still show "From: Alex Smith" when they look at it.

This is true for all email services, not just Gmail. The name is part of the message itself once it is sent. Only new emails you send after the change will show your new name. This is also why people who receive your old emails will not see the update — they are looking at a message that was already delivered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address to something different?

No. Your Gmail address (the username@gmail.com part) is permanent and cannot be changed. If you need a different Gmail address, you must create a new account. You can forward emails from your old address to your new one, or add your new address as an alias so people can reach you at either one.

Will changing my name affect my password or security?

No. Your password and all security settings stay the same. Changing your display name only changes what people see when you email them — it does not touch your login credentials or account security.

Can I use a fake name or business name on Gmail?

Yes. Gmail does not require you to use your legal name. You can use a nickname, a business name, initials, or any other text you want as your display name. The only restriction is that Google may suspend accounts that are used to deceive or impersonate others.

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

The change is when ready. The next email you send will show your new name. Old emails you already sent will continue to show your old name, because the name is stored with each message when it is sent.

Can I have different names for different contacts?

No. Your display name is the same for everyone you email. If you need to send emails under different names, you would need to create separate Gmail accounts.