Change your Snapchat display name in Settings

Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. Tap the gear icon to open Settings. Scroll down and tap "Username" — this is the handle people search for and cannot be changed. Below that, tap "Name" to edit your display name, which is what appears on your profile and in conversations. Type your new name and tap the checkmark to save.

Your display name can be up to 50 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and most punctuation. Snapchat does not filter display names the way it filters usernames, so you have more freedom with what you choose. The change takes effect when ready across all your chats and your profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is separate from your username — the display name is what shows on your profile, and the username is what people search for.
  • You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period or limit.
  • Display names can include spaces, numbers, and punctuation, giving you more options than usernames.
  • The change appears when ready to all your friends and in all active conversations.
  • If you want to change your username instead, you can do that once every 30 days through the same Settings menu.

The difference between username and display name

Your username is the permanent handle assigned when you create your account or chosen the first time you set one. It is what people type into the search bar to find you, and Snapchat limits you to one username change every 30 days. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — no spaces.

Your display name is purely visual. It is what your friends see next to your messages and on your profile card. You can change it as often as you want, and it can include spaces and special characters. Many people use their display name to add personality or context — for example, keeping a username straightforward but using a display name like "Sarah ✨ she/her" or "Sarah — ask me about hiking."

Changing your username if you want a different handle

If you want to change the name people search for, you need to change your username instead. Go to Settings, tap "Username," and tap "Change Username." You can change it once every 30 days. Type your new username and tap the checkmark. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days.

Choose carefully because you are limited to one change per month. Usernames must be between 2 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot start with a number. Snapchat will tell you if a username is already taken or violates their policies.

What happens to your old name

When you change your display name, your old name disappears when ready. There is no record of it in conversations — your friends will straightforward see the new name going forward. Old messages do not update to show the new name; they still show the name you had when you sent them.

If you change your username, the old username becomes inactive for 30 days. During that time, no one else can claim it, but it is not searchable. After 30 days, it opens up for anyone to register. This is why it is important to think through a username change before you make it — you cannot get the old one back if someone else takes it.

Troubleshooting if the change will not save

If you tap the checkmark and the name does not save, first check that you are connected to the internet and that your Snapchat app is up to date. Close the app completely and reopen it, then try again. If the name contains characters Snapchat does not allow, you will see an error message — try removing special characters or spaces.

If you are changing your username and see a message that you have already changed it recently, you have hit the 30-day limit. You will need to wait until 30 days have passed since your last username change. Display names have no such limit, so if you are just changing how your name appears, you can do that as many times as you want.

Privacy and visibility of your name change

Your display name change is visible to everyone who has you added as a friend. There is no way to hide the change or make it visible to only certain people. If you change your name frequently, all your friends will see each new version.

Your username change is also public. When you change your username, your friends will see the new one the next time they open the app. Snapchat does not send a notification about name changes, so your friends will only notice if they look at your profile or see you in a group chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same display name as someone else?

Yes. Display names are not unique — multiple people can have the same display name. Only usernames must be unique. If you want a name that is already taken as a username, you can still use it as your display name.

Will my old messages show my new name or my old name?

Old messages will show the name you had when you sent them. Only new messages going forward will show your updated name. Snapchat does not retroactively update message history.

How often can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. There is no limit on how often you can update it. Only usernames are restricted to one change every 30 days.

What characters are not allowed in a display name?

Snapchat allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation in display names. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, the app will not let you save it and may show an error. Emojis are generally allowed in display names.

If I change my username, can I get the old one back later?

Not if someone else claims it. Your old username becomes available to anyone after 30 days. If you want to keep it, you would need to change back to it within that 30-day window before someone else registers it.