Change your Gmail display name in settings, not your Google Account name

Your Gmail display name is what appears next to your emails when you send them — it is separate from your actual Google Account name. To change it, open Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right, select See all settings, then go to the Accounts and Import tab. Under Send mail as, click Edit info next to your email address and type the new name you want to display. Click Save changes.

This change takes effect when ready for new emails you send. Old emails you already sent will still show your previous display name — Gmail does not rewrite your sent history. If you have multiple email addresses set up in that Gmail account, you can set a different display name for each one.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Gmail display name (what recipients see) is changed in Settings under Accounts and Import, not in your main Google Account settings.
  • The display name change applies only to new emails you send going forward; old sent emails keep their original sender name.
  • If you have multiple email addresses in one Gmail account, each can have its own display name.
  • Changing your display name does not change your actual email address or your Google Account name.
  • The change is when ready and does not require you to sign out or restart Gmail.

Why Gmail has two different names to manage

Google separates your display name (what people see when you email them) from your Google Account name (the legal name tied to your account for security and recovery). This separation exists because you might want to send emails as "Sarah Chen" but keep your account registered under your full legal name for password recovery and account verification.

Your Google Account name is harder to change and requires identity verification through Google. Your display name is the one you can adjust anytime without any verification. Most people only ever need to change the display name.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Step 1: Open Gmail and sign in to the account you want to change.

Step 2: Click the gear icon in the top right corner of the page.

Step 3: Select See all settings from the dropdown menu.

Step 4: Click the Accounts and Import tab (it is the second tab at the top).

Step 5: Find the section labeled Send mail as. You will see your email address listed there.

Step 6: Click Edit info next to your email address (it appears as a small link on the right side).

Step 7: A box will open showing your current display name. Delete the old name and type the new one.

Step 8: Click Save changes at the bottom of the box.

The new name will appear on all emails you send from that moment forward. You do not need to restart Gmail or sign out.

What happens if you have multiple email addresses in one account

Gmail allows you to send from multiple email addresses within a single account. Each address can have its own display name. When you go to Accounts and Import and look at Send mail as, you will see all your addresses listed. Click Edit info next to whichever address you want to change, and set a different name for that address alone.

This is useful if you use one Gmail account for both work and personal email, or if you manage email for a business. You can send as "Jane Smith" from your personal address and as "Jane Smith, Marketing Director" from your work address, all from the same inbox.

If you need to change your actual Google Account name instead

Your Google Account name is the legal name registered with Google. It is used for account recovery, payment methods, and identity verification. Changing it is more involved than changing your display name and may require you to verify your identity through a phone number or recovery email.

To change your Google Account name, go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal info on the left, then click Name and edit it there. Google may ask you to confirm the change through a verification step. This change affects your entire Google Account, not just Gmail — it will show up in Google Drive, Google Photos, YouTube, and any other Google service you use.

Most people do not need to change their Google Account name. Change your display name instead unless you have a specific reason to update your legal name on file with Google.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is looking for the name change option in the wrong place. People often search for it in their main Google Account settings instead of in Gmail's Accounts and Import tab. The two settings are in different locations and do different things.

Another mistake is expecting old emails to show the new name. Gmail does not retroactively update the sender name on emails you already sent. If you sent an email as "Bob" and then change your display name to "Robert," that old email will still show "Bob" as the sender. Only new emails will show "Robert."

Do not confuse changing your display name with changing your email address itself. Your email address (the part before @gmail.com) cannot be changed. If you want a different email address, you have to create a new Gmail account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail display name on my phone?

Yes. Open the Gmail app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down and tap Settings, select your account, then tap Manage your Google Account. Go to the Personal info tab and tap Name. You can edit it there, though the process is slightly different from the desktop version.

Does changing my display name affect my email address?

No. Your email address stays exactly the same. Only the name that appears next to your emails when you send them changes. People will still reach you at the same email address.

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

The change is when ready. As soon as you click Save changes, your new display name will appear on all emails you send from that point forward. Recipients will see the new name when ready.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

Follow the same steps: go to Settings, Accounts and Import, click Edit info, and type your old name back in. There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name.

Can I use a nickname or business name instead of my real name?

Yes. Your display name can be anything you want — a nickname, a business name, initials, or any text. Gmail does not verify that the name matches your legal identity for the display name field.