Change your YouTube channel name in three steps

You can change the name that appears on your YouTube channel by going to your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself. YouTube pulls your channel name from your Google Account name, so updating one updates the other. The process takes about two minutes and takes effect when ready across all Google services you use.

Your YouTube channel name is separate from your username (the handle in your channel URL). Changing your account name does not change your username or your channel URL, so your subscribers will still find you at the same address.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube channel names come from your Google Account name, so you change it through Google Account settings, not YouTube.
  • The change takes effect right away on your channel, in comments, and everywhere else you use that Google Account.
  • Your username and channel URL stay the same when you change your account name, so your subscribers are not affected.
  • You can change your account name as many times as you want, but you can only change your username once every 90 days.
  • If you use a brand account, you change the brand account name separately from your personal Google Account name.

Step-by-step: changing your account name

Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with the Google Account connected to your YouTube channel. Click Personal info in the left menu. Under your name at the top, click Edit next to "Name".

Type your new first name and last name in the boxes provided. You can use any text you want — it does not have to be your legal name. Click Save when you are done. The change appears on your YouTube channel within a few minutes.

If you have a brand account (a separate YouTube account not tied to your personal name), you change the brand account name the same way: go to myaccount.google.com, sign in to the Google Account associated with that brand account, and edit the name in Personal info.

What changes and what stays the same

Your channel name changes everywhere: on your channel page, next to your comments, in your upload history, and on any videos you have posted. The change is visible to everyone who visits your channel or sees your comments.

Your username (the custom URL handle, like youtube.com/@yourname) does not change. Your channel URL stays the same, so people who have bookmarked your channel or shared your link will still reach you. Subscribers do not have to re-subscribe.

The name change also updates your Google Account name across Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and any other Google service you use with that account. If you want your YouTube name different from your Gmail display name, you will need to use a brand account instead.

Using a brand account to separate your YouTube name from your personal name

If you want your YouTube channel to have a different name than your personal Google Account, create a brand account. A brand account is a separate YouTube account that is not tied to your personal name. You manage it through your personal Google Account, but it has its own name and settings.

To create a brand account, go to youtube.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select Create a new channel. Choose Use a custom name and enter the name you want for your channel. The brand account name does not affect your personal Google Account name.

If you already have a regular channel and want to switch to a brand account, you cannot transfer the old channel. You would need to create a new brand account and start fresh, though you can keep your old channel and manage both from the same Google Account.

Changing your username (the custom URL)

Your username is different from your account name. The username is the handle in your channel URL (youtube.com/@yourname), and it is what people type to find you. You can change your username, but only once every 90 days.

To change your username, go to youtube.com, click your profile icon, and select Create a custom URL or Edit custom URL (the option depends on whether you already have one). Type your new username and click Change URL. The change takes effect right away, but your old URL will not work anymore.

You can only change your username if your channel has at least 100 subscribers and has been active for at least 30 days. If you do not meet these requirements, you can still change your account name as many times as you want.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not confuse your account name with your username. Many people think changing their account name will change their channel URL, but it will not. If you want a different URL, you need to change your username separately, and you can only do that once every 90 days.

Do not change your account name if you use the same Google Account for work or school email. The name change will show up on your Gmail and other Google services, so if you want a different name just for YouTube, use a brand account instead.

Do not expect the change to take effect when ready everywhere. While it shows on your YouTube channel within minutes, it may take longer to appear in search results or in YouTube's recommendation system. Comments you posted before the change will still show your old name.

If you cannot find the name change option

If you are signed into a work or school Google Account (managed by your organization), you may not be able to change your name. Your administrator controls account settings. Contact your IT department or administrator to request a name change.

If you are using a brand account and cannot find the name change option, make sure you are signed into the correct Google Account. Brand accounts are managed through your personal Google Account, so you need to be signed into the personal account first, then access the brand account settings from there.

If the Edit button next to your name is grayed out or missing, refresh the page and try again. Sometimes the page needs to reload to show the option. If it still does not appear, try using a different browser or clearing your browser cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my YouTube name affect my subscribers?

No. Your subscribers will still see your channel at the same URL, and they will not have to re-subscribe. The new name will appear on your channel page and next to your comments, but your channel address does not change.

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

Yes. You can change your account name as many times as you want. Go back to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info, and edit your name again. There is no limit on how often you can do this.

If I change my account name, will old comments show the new name?

Yes. Comments you posted before the name change will show your new name when people view them. The old name will not appear anywhere on your channel or in your comment history.

What is the difference between a brand account and a regular channel?

A regular channel uses your personal Google Account name. A brand account is a separate account with its own name that you manage through your personal Google Account. Use a brand account if you want your YouTube name to be different from your Gmail name.

Can I change my username more than once every 90 days?

No. YouTube limits username changes to once every 90 days. You can change your account name (the display name) as many times as you want, but the username in your channel URL can only be changed every 90 days.