Change Your Display Name in Gmail Settings

Your Gmail display name is what appears next to your email address when you send a message. To change it, open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select See all settings. Go to the Accounts and Import tab, and you'll see a section called Send mail as. Click Edit info next to your name, type your new name in the Name field, and click Save changes.

The change takes effect when ready for new emails you send. Old emails you've already sent will still show your previous name, but anyone receiving mail from you going forward will see the updated name. This process takes less than a minute and doesn't affect your actual Gmail address or password.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is separate from your Gmail address — changing one does not change the other.
  • The display name change appears only on emails you send after making the change, not on past messages.
  • You can have multiple display names if you use the Send mail as feature to add other email addresses to your account.
  • If you want to change your actual Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com), you must create a new account — Gmail does not allow address changes.

Using Multiple Display Names for Different Purposes

Gmail lets you set up multiple sender identities under one account. This is useful if you want to send professional emails under one name and personal emails under another, without logging in and out. In the Send mail as section of settings, click Add another email address, enter the name you want to use, and confirm the email address.

Gmail will send you a confirmation email to verify the address. Once you confirm it, you can choose which name to send from each time you compose a message — just click the From field at the bottom of the compose window and select the identity you want to use.

What Happens to Your Gmail Address When You Change Your Name

Changing your display name does not change your actual Gmail address. If your email is marcus.chen@gmail.com, it stays that way no matter what name you put in the display field. Your address is permanent and cannot be altered through settings.

If you need a different email address entirely, you must create a new Gmail account. You can then forward emails from the old address to the new one, or set up the old address as a recovery email on your new account so you don't lose access to it.

Changing Your Name on Your Google Account Profile

Your Google Account has a separate profile name that appears in other Google services like Google Drive, Google Photos, and YouTube. To change this, go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info on the left, and select Name. Edit your first and last name, then click Save.

This change affects all Google services linked to your account, not just Gmail. It may take a few hours to appear everywhere. Your Gmail display name and your Google Account profile name are independent — you can have different names in each place if you want.

Updating Your Name in Gmail on Mobile

On the Gmail app for iPhone or Android, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left, scroll down, and tap Settings. Select your email account, then tap Manage your Google Account. Go to the Personal info tab and tap Name to edit it. Save your changes, and they'll sync to the app within a few minutes.

The mobile process takes slightly longer because you're navigating through your full Google Account settings rather than Gmail's quick settings page. If you're on a phone with a small screen, the desktop version may be easier to use.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is thinking that changing your display name will change your email address. It won't. If you want people to email you at a different address, you need a new Gmail account — there's no way around this.

Another mistake is not saving your changes. After you edit your name in settings, always click Save changes or Save before leaving the page. If you close the tab without saving, your edits will be lost. Also, remember that display name changes only affect emails you send after the change — you cannot retroactively change the name on emails already in someone's inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address from @gmail.com to something else?

No. Gmail addresses cannot be changed once created. If you need a different address, you must create a new Gmail account. You can set up email forwarding from your old address to your new one so you don't miss messages sent to the old account.

Will changing my display name affect my password or security?

No. Your password and security settings are tied to your Gmail address, not your display name. Changing your name does not log you out or require you to reset your password.

Can I have different display names for different contacts?

Not directly. Your display name is the same for everyone who receives your emails. However, you can use the Send mail as feature to create multiple identities and choose which one to send from each time you compose a message.

How long does it take for my new display name to show up?

The change is when ready for emails you send after saving. Recipients will see your new name on those messages right away. Past emails you've already sent will continue to show your old name.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

Go back to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as, click Edit info, type your previous name, and click Save changes. You can change your display name as many times as you want.