Change your YouTube name in three steps

Your YouTube channel name is separate from your Google account name, and you can change it without touching your email or other Google services. Go to YouTube.com, click your profile icon in the top right corner, select Create a channel or Settings depending on whether you already have a channel, then find Channel name in the left menu. Type your new name, click Save, and the change takes effect when ready across all your uploads, comments, and subscriptions.

If you want to change the name tied to your Google account itself — the one that appears in Gmail and other Google services — that is a separate process. Most people only need to change their YouTube channel name, which is what this guide covers.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube channel names and Google account names are different; changing one does not change the other.
  • You reach the channel name setting through your profile icon, then Settings, then the Channel tab on the left side.
  • The new name shows up when ready on your channel, all your videos, and any comments you have posted.
  • You can change your channel name as often as you want, though YouTube may limit how frequently you can do so if you change it repeatedly in a short time.

Where to find the channel name setting

Open YouTube and sign in to the account you want to change. Click your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the screen. A menu will drop down with several options. Look for Settings — it usually appears near the bottom of this menu, sometimes labeled as a gear icon.

Once you click Settings, you will land on your account settings page. On the left side, you should see a menu with tabs. Click the one labeled Channel or Create a channel if you do not have one yet. This takes you to your channel details, where Channel name appears as one of the first editable fields.

Entering and saving your new name

Click directly on the Channel name field. The text box will become active and you can delete the old name and type the new one. YouTube allows most characters, including spaces, numbers, and common punctuation. There is no character limit that most users will hit in practice.

Once you have typed the name you want, look for a Save or Update button near the field — it is usually gray until you make a change, then turns blue. Click it to confirm. YouTube will show a confirmation message, and your new channel name will be live within seconds. Your old name will no longer appear on your channel page, your video uploads, or your comments.

What changes and what stays the same

Your channel name change affects your public profile, all your videos, your comment history, and your subscriptions list. Anyone who visits your channel will see the new name. Your videos will show the new name as the uploader. Any comments you posted under your old name will now display under your new name.

Your email address, password, and Google account login do not change. You still sign in the same way. Your watch history, playlists, and saved videos remain exactly as they were. Subscribers to your channel stay subscribed — they do not have to re-follow you because of a name change.

Changing your Google account name instead

If you want to change the name that appears in Gmail, Google Drive, and other Google services — not just YouTube — you need to change your Google account name. This is different from your channel name. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info on the left, then click the name field at the top. Edit your first and last name, then click Save.

Be aware that changing your Google account name will change how your name appears across all Google services you use, not just YouTube. If you only want to change how you appear on YouTube, stick with the channel name method described earlier in this guide.

Limits on how often you can change your name

YouTube does not publish a hard rule about how many times you can change your channel name, but the platform does monitor for abuse. If you change your name very frequently — multiple times per week, for example — YouTube may temporarily prevent you from making another change for a period of time. This is to prevent spam and impersonation.

For most users who change their name once or a few times a year, there is no restriction. If you find yourself locked out of changing your name, wait a few days and try again. The restriction is temporary and lifts automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my subscribers be notified when I change my channel name?

No, YouTube does not send a notification to your subscribers when you change your channel name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your channel or watch one of your videos. If you want to tell them about the change, you can post a community post or mention it in a video.

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

Yes. You can change your channel name to anything you want at any time, including a name you used in the past. Go back to Settings > Channel > Channel name and type the old name, then save it.

Does changing my YouTube channel name affect my email address?

No. Your email address is part of your Google account and does not change when you change your YouTube channel name. You still sign in with the same email and password.

What if my desired channel name is already taken?

YouTube allows multiple channels to have the same name, so you can use a name even if another channel has it. However, if you are trying to use a name that is trademarked or belongs to a public figure, YouTube may remove your channel if the owner reports it.

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

Your new channel name appears on your channel page and in new comments within seconds. It may take a few minutes to show up in search results and recommendations, but usually appears within an hour across YouTube.