Change your Instagram name in the app settings in under a minute

Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right, then tap Settings and privacy. Select Account information, then tap Name. Delete your current name and type the new one you want. Tap Done or the checkmark. The change takes effect when ready across your account.

You can change your name as often as you want. There is no limit to how many times you can edit it, and no waiting period between changes. The name you set here is what appears on your profile and under your posts and comments — it is different from your username (the @handle), which has stricter rules.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Instagram name is found in Settings and privacy > Account information > Name, and you can change it when ready from the app.
  • The name field accepts spaces, numbers, and most punctuation, so you have more flexibility than with your username.
  • Changes show up right away on your profile, in comments, and in posts, but old posts do not update retroactively.
  • If you want to change your username (@handle) instead, that process is separate and has a 14-day waiting period between changes.
  • You can revert to a previous name at any time by going back to the same settings and typing a different name.

What counts as a valid Instagram name

Instagram allows letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores in your name field. You can use emoji as well. There is no character limit enforced by Instagram, though very long names may display awkwardly on smaller screens or in certain layouts.

The name you enter does not have to be your real name. You can use a business name, a nickname, a stage name, or any text you want. Instagram does not verify that the name matches your identity, so you have complete freedom in what you type.

The difference between your name and your username

Your name is the display name that appears on your profile and next to your posts. It is what you just changed in Settings and privacy. Your username is your @handle — the unique identifier people use to tag you or search for you directly. These are two separate fields.

If you want to change your username instead, go to Settings and privacy > Account information > Username. Instagram enforces a 14-day waiting period between username changes, so you cannot switch usernames back and forth quickly. Your name field has no such restriction.

How the change appears across Instagram

Once you save your new name, it shows up when ready on your profile, in your comments, in your posts, and in any messages you send. People who follow you will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity.

Posts and comments you made under your old name do not retroactively update to show the new name. If someone looks at an old post, the name displayed will be whatever name was active when you made that post. This is a historical record Instagram keeps, not a bug.

Changing your name on Instagram desktop

If you are using Instagram on a computer, the process is similar. Log in to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select Settings. Click Edit profile and you will see the Name field at the top. Type your new name and click Save.

The desktop version and the mobile app stay in sync, so a change made on one will appear on the other within seconds. You do not need to log out or refresh — Instagram updates the change live.

What to do if your name change is not showing up

If you changed your name but do not see it on your profile, try closing the Instagram app completely and reopening it. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to display the change. If you are on desktop, try clearing your browser cache or opening Instagram in a private or incognito window.

If the change still does not appear after a few minutes, log out of your account and log back in. This forces Instagram to sync your account data fresh. If you still see the old name after that, contact Instagram Support through the app by going to Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or emoji in my Instagram name?

Yes. Instagram allows spaces, periods, hyphens, underscores, numbers, and emoji in your name field. You cannot use the @ symbol, but almost everything else works. Try typing what you want and Instagram will tell you if it is not allowed.

Will changing my name affect my followers or posts?

No. Your followers stay with you, your posts stay on your account, and your follower count does not change. Only the display name changes. People who have you saved or bookmarked will still find you the same way.

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

The change is when ready on your own account. It may take a few seconds to a few minutes to show up on other people's screens as they refresh their feeds or visit your profile, depending on their connection speed.

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

Yes, anytime. Go back to Settings and privacy > Account information > Name and type your old name. There is no limit to how many times you can change it or how often you can switch back and forth.

Is changing my name the same as changing my username?

No. Your name is your display name; your username is your @handle. They are separate fields with different rules. Your username has a 14-day waiting period between changes, but your name does not.