Change your YouTube channel name in three steps

You change your YouTube channel name through your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself. The process takes about two minutes and applies to your entire Google Account — your Gmail, Google Drive, and any other Google service will show the new name.

Go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info in the left menu, find Name, and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new name, click Save, and you are done. YouTube will display the change within a few minutes, though it may take longer to appear in comments and notifications you have already posted.

If you use a YouTube channel name that is different from your Google Account name — which you can set separately — that change happens in a different place. See the section below on channel display names.

Key Takeaways

  • Your YouTube channel name is tied to your Google Account name, which you change at myaccount.google.com under Personal info.
  • You can set a separate display name for your channel that is different from your Google Account name by going to YouTube Studio and editing your channel details.
  • The name change appears on your channel within minutes, but may take longer to show on old comments and notifications.
  • Changing your name does not affect your subscriber count, videos, or watch history.

The difference between your Google Account name and your channel display name

YouTube actually uses two names: your Google Account name (the one tied to your email and all your Google services) and your channel display name (what appears on your channel page and in comments). Most people have the same name in both places, but you can make them different.

If you want your channel to show a name that is different from your Google Account name — for example, a business name or a stage name — you set that in YouTube Studio instead of in Google Account settings. This is useful if you use your real name for your Google Account but want your channel to display something else.

How to change your channel display name in YouTube Studio

If you want a channel name that is separate from your Google Account name, go to youtube.com, click your profile picture in the top right, and select Create a channel or Go to channel (depending on whether you already have a channel). Click the user icon in the top right, then Settings.

Click Basic info in the left menu. You will see a field labeled Channel name. Type the name you want to display, then click Save. This name will appear on your channel page, in your comments, and in your uploads, separate from your Google Account name.

You can change your channel display name once every 90 days. If you try to change it more often, YouTube will tell you when you can change it again.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your channel page and future comments. However, comments you posted before the change will still show your old name — YouTube does not retroactively update old comments. If you want those comments to show your new name, you would have to delete them and post new ones.

Your subscriber count, video count, and all your uploaded videos stay exactly the same. The change is cosmetic and does not affect your channel's history or performance.

Why your name change might not show up right away

YouTube usually displays your new name within a few minutes of saving it. However, the change can take up to 24 hours to appear everywhere — in search results, on other people's screens, and in notifications. This delay happens because YouTube's servers take time to sync the change across all their systems.

If you have logged out of YouTube, try logging back in. Sometimes clearing your browser cache (the stored data YouTube keeps on your computer) forces it to load the new name faster. In most cases, waiting a few hours solves the problem without any action on your part.

Changing your name if you use a brand account

If your YouTube channel is connected to a brand account — a special Google Account type designed for businesses or organizations — the process is slightly different. Brand accounts do not have a personal Google Account name in the traditional sense.

To change a brand account name, go to youtube.com, click your profile picture, select Settings, then Basic info. The Brand account name field is where you enter the name you want to display. Save your changes, and the new name will appear on your channel within minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my YouTube name more than once?

Yes, but there is a limit. If you change your channel display name, you must wait 90 days before changing it again. Your Google Account name can be changed as often as you want, but YouTube recommends not changing it too frequently because it can confuse people who follow you.

Will changing my name affect my subscribers or videos?

No. Your subscriber count, videos, playlists, and watch history all stay the same. The name change is only cosmetic and does not affect anything about your channel's content or performance.

What if someone else takes the name I want?

YouTube channel names are not unique — multiple people can have the same display name. However, your channel URL (the web address) is unique. If you want a specific URL, you may need to change it separately in your channel settings, and YouTube only lets you do that once.

Does changing my name change my email address?

No. Your email address stays the same. Changing your Google Account name or channel display name does not affect the email you use to log in or receive notifications.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my YouTube name?

YouTube allows most letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks. Emojis and some special characters may not work or may be removed when you save. If your name does not save, try removing special characters and using only letters, numbers, and spaces.