Change your Twitter name in three steps
To change your name on Twitter, open the app or website, go to your profile settings, and edit the name field. Twitter calls this your "display name" — it is separate from your username (the @handle). You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period, and the change takes effect when ready across the platform.
The process takes less than a minute. Your old name disappears from your profile, your tweets, and your replies. People who follow you will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or refresh their feed.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what appears on your profile) is different from your username (@handle), and you can change the display name when ready.
- Changes to your display name show up when ready on all your tweets, replies, and your profile page.
- You can change your display name as many times as you want without restrictions or cooldown periods.
- Changing your display name does not affect your followers, following list, or any of your tweets.
How to change your name on the Twitter website
Log in to Twitter on a web browser. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the page, or click your profile picture if you see it. Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu that appears.
Click "Account" in the left sidebar. Find the field labeled "Name" near the top of the page. Click inside it, delete your current name, and type your new name. Twitter allows up to 50 characters. Click outside the field or press Enter to save. The change is live when ready.
How to change your name on the Twitter mobile app
Open the Twitter app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or top left on Android. Tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Account."
Tap the "Name" field at the top of the screen. Delete your current name and type your new one. Tap "Done" or the checkmark button to save. The app will return you to your account settings, and your new name will appear on your profile within seconds.
What happens when you change your display name
Your new name appears on your profile page, on every tweet you have posted, and next to your replies and retweets. Anyone who visits your profile will see the new name. Your followers do not receive a notification that you changed your name, but they will see it the next time they view your profile or see your tweets in their feed.
Your username (@handle) does not change. People can still find you by searching for your @handle or by clicking links to your profile. Changing your display name does not affect your follower count, your tweets, your direct messages, or anything else on your account.
Choosing a name that works for you
Twitter allows letters, numbers, spaces, and some special characters in your display name. You can use emoji, accents, and characters from other languages. The 50-character limit is generous enough for most names, including first and last names with a title or descriptor.
Because you can change your name whenever you want, you do not have to commit to one choice. Many people change their display name to reflect current projects, seasons, or moods. If you change your mind, you can change it back the same way.
Changing your username instead of your display name
If you want to change your @handle (your username) instead of your display name, the process is different and has restrictions. Go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account," and look for the "Username" field. You can change your username once every 30 days. When you change it, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days.
Changing your username is riskier than changing your display name because people who have bookmarked your profile or shared links to your account will find a broken link. For this reason, most people change only their display name and keep their username stable.
Troubleshooting name changes that do not work
If you type a new name and it does not save, check that you are not using characters Twitter does not allow. Refresh the page or close and reopen the app, then try again. If the field still will not accept your input, log out completely and log back in.
If your new name appears on your profile but not on your tweets, wait a few minutes and refresh your browser or app. Twitter sometimes takes a moment to sync the change across all pages. If it still has not updated after 10 minutes, try logging out and back in again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name. You can change it back when ready if you want, or wait as long as you like. Your old name is not reserved for you, so if someone else has taken it, you will need to choose something different.
Will my followers be notified when I change my name?
No. Twitter does not send a notification when you change your display name. Your followers will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets in their feed, but they will not receive an alert about the change.
Does changing my name affect my tweets or my follower count?
No. All your tweets remain exactly as they are. Your follower and following counts do not change. The only thing that changes is the name that appears next to your tweets and on your profile page.
What is the difference between my display name and my username?
Your display name is what appears on your profile and next to your tweets — you can change it when ready and as often as you want. Your username is your @handle, which people use to mention you or search for you — you can change it once every 30 days, and your old handle becomes available for others to claim.
Can I use special characters or emoji in my display name?
Yes. Twitter allows letters, numbers, spaces, emoji, accents, and characters from other languages in your display name, as long as the total is 50 characters or fewer. You cannot use certain symbols like @ or #, but most special characters work fine.