Change Your Display Name in Three Steps

Your Twitter display name — the one that appears above your posts and in search results — can be changed at any time from your account settings. Open Twitter on any browser or the mobile app, go to Settings and Privacy, select Account, then choose Change Your Name. Type your new name (up to 50 characters) and click Save. The change takes effect when ready across your account.

This is different from your username, which is the @handle that appears in your profile URL and cannot be changed directly through the same menu. If you need to change your @handle instead, that requires a separate process.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name can be changed when ready from Settings and Privacy > Account > Change Your Name, and the new name shows up right away on all your posts and profile.
  • Display names can be up to 50 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and most symbols — your @username (the handle) follows different rules.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your followers, following list, or any of your tweets; it only changes how your name appears.
  • If you want to change your @username instead of your display name, you will need to go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Username and choose a new one that has not been taken.

Where to Find the Display Name Setting

On the web version of Twitter, click the three-dot menu in the top left corner (or your profile picture if you are already logged in), then select Settings and Privacy. On the left sidebar, click Account. Scroll down until you see the Your Account section, which contains Change Your Name.

On the Twitter mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left, then tap Settings and Privacy. Select Account, scroll to Your Account, and tap Change Your Name. The process is the same on both iOS and Android.

What You Can and Cannot Do With Display Names

Display names allow spaces, numbers, emoji, and most punctuation marks. You can use your real name, a nickname, a business name, or any combination of characters up to 50 total. Twitter does not require your display name to match your @username or to be unique — multiple accounts can have the same display name as long as their @usernames are different.

You cannot use a display name to impersonate someone or mislead others about your identity. Twitter's rules prohibit using another person's name, likeness, or trademarked content in a way that confuses people about who you are. If your new display name violates these rules, Twitter may require you to change it again.

The Difference Between Display Name and Username

Your display name is what people see when they look at your profile or read your tweets. It can have spaces and special characters, and you can change it as often as you want. Your username (or @handle) is the unique identifier that appears in your profile URL — for example, @sarah_okafor — and it cannot contain spaces.

If you want to change your @username, go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Username. Twitter allows you to change your username once every 30 days. When you change it, your old @handle becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days, and links to your old profile will no longer work. Your followers and following list stay the same, but any tweets that tagged your old @handle will not automatically update.

What Happens When You Change Your Name

Changing your display name is when ready and visible everywhere. Your followers will see the new name on your profile and on any new tweets you post. Old tweets will also show your new name when people view them, even though they were posted under your previous name.

Your follower count, following list, and all your tweets remain exactly as they were. Direct messages are not affected. People who have you muted or blocked will still have you muted or blocked. The change does not reset your account or log you out on any device.

Changing Your Name Back or Changing It Again

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. If you change your mind, straightforward go back to Settings and Privacy > Account > Change Your Name and enter a different name. There is no limit to how often you can do this, and no record of your previous names is shown to other users.

If you change your @username, however, you must wait 30 days before changing it again. This cooldown applies whether you are changing to a completely new handle or trying to switch back to a previous one.

Troubleshooting Name Changes That Do Not Work

If the Change Your Name button does not appear in your settings, your account may be new or restricted. Twitter sometimes limits certain actions on accounts that are fewer than a few days old. Wait a few days and try again.

If you see an error message when you try to save a new name, the name you entered may contain characters Twitter does not allow, or you may have exceeded the 50-character limit. Check the length and remove any unusual symbols, then try again. If the problem continues, sign out completely, clear your browser cache, and sign back in before trying once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my display name to someone else's name?

Technically yes, but Twitter prohibits impersonation. If your new display name is designed to confuse people into thinking you are someone else — especially a public figure, business, or verified account — Twitter may suspend your account or require you to change it. Using someone's name is only allowed if you are clearly not trying to deceive people about your identity.

Will changing my name affect my verification badge?

No. If your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), the badge stays with your account regardless of what name you use. The verification is tied to your account, not your display name.

What if I change my name and then want to change my username too?

You can do both. Changing your display name has no effect on your ability to change your @username. However, remember that you can only change your @username once every 30 days, while your display name can be changed as often as you want.

Do my followers get notified when I change my display name?

No. Twitter does not send notifications when you change your display name. Your followers will straightforward see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see one of your tweets.

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

Yes. Display names support emoji, accented letters, and most punctuation marks. The only limit is the 50-character maximum. Keep in mind that some symbols may not display the same way on all devices or browsers.