Change your Gmail display name in settings

Your Gmail display name is the name that appears when you send an email—not your email address itself. To change it, open Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right, select "See all settings," then click the "Accounts and Import" tab. Find "Send mail as" and click "edit info" next to your name. Type your new name in the "Name" field and click "Save changes."

This change takes effect when ready for new emails you send. People who receive your messages will see the new name, but your email address (the part before @gmail.com) stays the same. If you have multiple email addresses set up in Gmail, you can give each one a different display name.

The process takes less than a minute. Gmail does not require you to verify the change or wait for approval—it happens right away in your account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what recipients see when you email them, separate from your actual email address.
  • Change your display name by going to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as > edit info.
  • The new name appears on emails you send going forward, not on past messages.
  • If you have multiple email addresses in Gmail, each can have its own display name.
  • You cannot change your email address itself (@gmail.com) through display name settings—that requires a different process.

What happens to your email address when you change your display name

Your email address does not change when you update your display name. If your email is marcus.chen@gmail.com, it stays marcus.chen@gmail.com no matter what name you put in the display field. Only the name that shows up in the "From" line of your emails changes.

This means people can still reach you at your original email address. Changing your display name does not affect your login credentials, your contacts, your stored emails, or anything else in your account. It is purely cosmetic—a label on outgoing mail.

Changing your display name on mobile Gmail

On a phone or tablet, the process is slightly different because the mobile app does not have a full settings menu. Open the Gmail app, tap your profile picture in the top right, then tap "Manage your Google Account." Go to the "Personal info" tab and tap "Name." Edit your name and tap "Save."

This changes your name across your entire Google account, not just Gmail. That means it will also update your name in Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube, and other Google services linked to that account. If you want to change only your Gmail display name and leave other services alone, use the desktop version of Gmail instead.

Setting up multiple display names for different email addresses

If you have added other email addresses to your Gmail account (like a work email or a second Gmail address), you can give each one a different display name. Go to Settings > Accounts and Import, find "Send mail as," and you will see all your addresses listed. Click "edit info" next to each one to set a different name for that address.

This is useful if you use one Gmail account to manage multiple identities—for example, a professional name for work emails and a personal name for personal emails. Each address can have its own display name, and Gmail will remember which name goes with which address when you compose new messages.

Common mistakes when changing your Gmail display name

The most common mistake is thinking that changing your display name will change your email address. It will not. If you want people to email you at a different address, you need to create a new Gmail account or add a different email address to your existing account—changing the display name alone will not do this.

Another mistake is using the mobile app when you want to change only your Gmail display name. The mobile app changes your name across your entire Google account, so if you use Google services for work or other purposes, the change will show up everywhere. Use the desktop version if you want to change only your Gmail display name.

Some people also forget that the display name change only affects new emails going forward. Old emails you already sent will still show your old name. There is no way to retroactively change the name on past messages.

If you want to change your actual email address

Changing your display name is different from changing your email address. Gmail does not let you change your email address directly. However, you can create a new Gmail account with a different address and forward your old emails to it, or you can add a different email address to your account and set it as your primary address.

If you have a Google Workspace account (Gmail through your employer or organization), you may have more options to change your email address. Check with your administrator. For personal Gmail accounts, creating a new account is usually the most straightforward path if you need a completely different email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my display name affect my password or how I log in?

No. Your login credentials stay the same. You log in with your email address (marcus.chen@gmail.com), and that does not change when you update your display name. The display name only affects what people see when you send them an email.

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

Gmail allows most characters, including numbers, spaces, and punctuation. Emojis may work depending on your device and browser, but they are not recommended because they can display differently on other people's email clients. Stick to letters, numbers, and standard punctuation for the most reliable appearance.

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

The change is when ready in your Gmail settings. However, it may take a few minutes for the new name to appear in emails you send, depending on how quickly Gmail's servers process the change. If you send an email when ready after changing your name, it should show the new name.

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

Yes. Go back to Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as > edit info and type your old name. There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name. Gmail does not track previous names or require a waiting period between changes.

What if I have a Gmail account through my school or workplace?

The steps are the same, but your organization may have restrictions on what names you can use. Some schools and workplaces require your legal name or a specific format. If you cannot change your display name, contact your school or workplace IT department—they may have locked that setting.