You can change what name Siri calls you by updating your contact card in your device's settings

Siri pulls the name it uses from your device's contact information — specifically, the name stored in your own contact card. When you change that name, Siri automatically starts using the new one. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, though the exact menu path differs slightly by device type.

The name Siri uses is not a separate setting. It comes directly from what Apple's system knows about you as the device owner. If you have never set up a contact card for yourself, Siri may not use any name at all, or it may use whatever name was entered during device setup. Changing it means going into your Contacts app and editing your own card.

Key Takeaways

  • Siri's name for you comes from your personal contact card, which you can edit in the Contacts app on any Apple device.
  • On iPhone and iPad, open Contacts, tap your card (marked "Me" at the top), tap Edit, change the name field, and tap Done.
  • On Mac, open Contacts, find your card in the sidebar, click Edit, change the name, and click Done.
  • The change takes effect when ready — Siri will use the new name the next time you interact with it.
  • You can use any name you want: your full legal name, a nickname, a single name, or anything else you prefer.

How to change your name on iPhone or iPad

Open the Contacts app on your iPhone or iPad. At the top of the screen, you will see a card marked "Me" — this is your own contact information. Tap it to open your card.

Tap the Edit button in the upper right corner. The name field will become editable. Delete the current name and type in whatever name you want Siri to use. You can enter your full name, a nickname, a single name, or any variation you prefer.

Tap the Done button when you are finished. The change saves when ready, and Siri will use the new name the next time you speak to it or ask it to do something.

How to change your name on Mac

Open the Contacts app on your Mac. Look in the left sidebar for your own contact card — it will usually be marked with "Me" or your current name. Click on it to select it.

Click the Edit button at the top of the window. The name field becomes editable. Clear the current name and type the name you want Siri to use instead.

Click the Done button to save your changes. Siri will recognize the new name when ready on your Mac and on any other Apple devices linked to the same account.

What happens if you do not have a contact card for yourself

If you have never created a contact card in your name, Siri may not have a name to use at all. In this case, Siri might use the name from your device account, or it might not address you by name. Creating a contact card for yourself is straightforward and solves this problem.

On iPhone or iPad, open Contacts and tap the plus sign (+) in the upper right to create a new contact. Enter your name and any other information you want to include. Then, go back to your Contacts list, tap your new card, tap Edit, and look for an option that says "Mark as Me" or similar — this tells the system that this card represents you. On Mac, you can right-click a contact and select "Make This My Card" to do the same thing.

Siri will use your new name across all your Apple devices

Once you change the name in your contact card, Siri uses it on every Apple device you own that is signed into the same Apple ID account. If you change the name on your iPhone, your iPad and Mac will see the update within a few minutes as long as they are connected to the internet.

If you have multiple Apple devices signed into different accounts, each device will use the name from its own contact card. Changing the name on one device does not affect the others unless they share the same Apple ID.

You can use any name or nickname you want

There are no restrictions on what name you enter in your contact card. You can use your legal name, a nickname, a single name, initials, or anything else. Siri will use exactly what you type.

Some people use formal names for work devices and nicknames for personal ones. Others change their name in Siri seasonally or just for fun. The choice is entirely yours, and you can change it as often as you want by following the same steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Siri not use my name even after I changed it?

Make sure you tapped or clicked Done to save your changes — if you closed the Contacts app without saving, the change will not take effect. Also check that you edited your own contact card (marked "Me") and not someone else's card. If Siri still does not use the name, try restarting your device.

Can I change what Siri calls me without changing my contact card?

No. Siri pulls the name from your contact card only, and there is no separate setting to override it. Changing your contact card is the only way to change what Siri calls you.

Will changing my contact card name affect anything else on my device?

Your contact card is used in several places — it may appear in your Contacts app, in Mail, and in other apps that reference your information. Changing the name will update it everywhere, but this is usually not a problem unless you use your contact card for formal purposes like business email.

What if I want Siri to use different names on different devices?

If your devices are signed into the same Apple ID, they will all use the same name. To use different names, you would need to sign into different Apple IDs on each device, which is not practical for most people. A simpler option is to use a name that works for all your devices.