Change your display name directly in the app settings

Your Snapchat display name — the one your friends see — can be changed in your account settings at any time. Open Snapchat, tap your profile icon in the top left corner, then tap the settings gear icon. Scroll down to "Username" and tap it. You'll see your current username displayed; tap "Change Username" to enter a new one.

Snapchat will check whether your new username is available. If it's taken, you'll need to choose something different. Usernames must be between 2 and 15 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot include spaces or special characters like hyphens or dashes. Once you've entered a username that's available, confirm the change.

Your new username takes effect when ready. Friends who have you added will see the new name in their contacts, and you can change it again whenever you want — there's no waiting period between changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is changed through Settings > Username > Change Username inside the Snapchat app.
  • Usernames must be 2 to 15 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but not spaces or most special characters.
  • The change takes effect when ready and your friends will see the new name right away.
  • You can change your username as often as you want with no waiting period between changes.
  • If your chosen username is already taken, Snapchat will tell you and you'll need to pick a different one.

The difference between username and display name

Snapchat actually has two separate name fields, and it's worth understanding the difference. Your username is the unique identifier that never changes once it's created — it's what you use to add friends and what appears in search results. Your display name is the friendly name that shows up in conversations and on your profile, and it can be changed anytime.

When you follow the steps above, you're changing your display name, not your username. The display name is what your friends see most often in chats and on your profile. If you want to change your actual username (the one people search for), that's a separate process and requires contacting Snapchat support, since usernames are permanent identifiers tied to your account.

What happens to your friends' contact lists when you change your name

When you change your display name, everyone who has you added will see the new name in their contacts and in conversations with you. There's no lag — the change is when ready across all devices. If a friend has given you a custom nickname in their contacts (separate from your display name), that nickname will remain unchanged; your display name change won't overwrite it.

Your old display name doesn't stay visible anywhere. Snapchat doesn't keep a history of past names, so friends won't see what you were called before. If you change your name frequently, people will just see whatever your current name is.

Changing your name on your profile versus in group chats

The display name you set in settings is the one that appears everywhere — on your profile, in one-on-one conversations, and in group chats. You cannot set a different name just for a specific group or conversation. If you want people in a particular group to call you something different, you'd need to ask them to add a custom nickname for you in their contacts, but that's something they do on their end, not something you control.

Your profile name and your chat name are always the same. Changing one changes the other automatically.

Troubleshooting: username not available or won't change

If the username you want is already taken, Snapchat will show you a message saying it's unavailable. Try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to make it unique — for example, if "sarah" is taken, "sarah.2024" or "sarah_22" might work. Keep in mind that Snapchat reserves some usernames for safety reasons, so even if a name looks available, the system might reject it.

If you're getting an error message when you try to change your name, make sure you're using a supported character set (letters, numbers, periods, underscores only). If the app keeps crashing or won't let you save the change, try closing Snapchat completely and reopening it, or reinstalling the app if the problem persists. If none of that works, you may need to contact Snapchat support through the app's help section.

How often you can change your display name

Unlike some social media platforms, Snapchat doesn't limit how often you change your display name. You can change it multiple times a day if you want, and there's no cooldown period between changes. This makes it straightforward to update your name for events, seasons, or just whenever you feel like it.

The only name you cannot change is your username — that's permanent. But since most people interact with your display name, not your username, you have plenty of flexibility in how you present yourself on the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username instead of my display name?

No. Usernames are permanent and cannot be changed through the app. If you absolutely need a different username, you would need to contact Snapchat support, though they typically do not change usernames except in cases of impersonation or safety concerns. For most purposes, changing your display name is what you want to do.

Will my friends lose me in their contacts if I change my name?

No. Your friends will still have you in their contacts; they'll just see your new name. Changing your display name doesn't affect the connection — it only changes what name appears next to your account.

What if someone else has the name I want?

You'll need to choose a different username. Try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to make it unique. Snapchat will tell you when ready if a name is taken, so you can try alternatives right away.

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

Yes. Since there's no limit on how often you can change your display name, you can switch back to a previous name anytime. Snapchat doesn't prevent you from reusing old names.