Change your display name without changing your email address
Your display name — the name that appears when you send an email — is separate from your email address itself. You can change it in almost any email service without touching the address you log in with. This is the fastest way to update how your name appears to people you email.
The steps differ slightly between Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and other providers, but the process takes about two minutes in each one. You do not need to create a new account or notify anyone of the change — it takes effect when ready on new messages you send.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what recipients see) is different from your email address (what you log in with), and you can change one without touching the other.
- Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all let you change your display name in account settings, usually under "Personal info" or "Account settings".
- The change takes effect on new emails you send but does not retroactively change the name on old messages already in recipients' inboxes.
- If you want to change your actual email address, you will need to create a new account and forward old messages, or use your provider's address-change tool if one exists.
- Some email providers let you add multiple display names or send from different names using aliases or secondary addresses.
How to change your display name in Gmail
Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select See all settings. Go to the Accounts and Import tab. Under "Send mail as", you will see your current display name next to your email address. Click Edit info next to it.
Type your new name in the field that appears. You can use your full name, a nickname, initials, or any text you want recipients to see. Click Save changes. Gmail will ask you to confirm by sending a verification email to your address — open that email and click the confirmation link. Once confirmed, your new name appears on all future emails.
How to change your display name in Outlook or Hotmail
Sign in to your Outlook account and click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner. Select View account or Manage your account. Click Personal info on the left side, then find the section labeled Name or Display name.
Click Edit next to your current name. Type your new first and last name (or however you want your name to appear). Click Save. The change takes effect on new emails when ready — you do not need to verify anything. If you do not see a name field, look for Edit profile instead, which may be in a different location depending on your account type.
How to change your display name in Yahoo Mail
Log in to Yahoo Mail and click the account icon (usually your profile picture) in the top right. Select Account info. On the left sidebar, click Personal info. Find the field labeled Name and click Edit.
Type your new name and click Save. Yahoo updates your display name on new messages right away. If you use Yahoo for multiple services (Yahoo Finance, Yahoo News, etc.), the name change may appear across those accounts as well, depending on your settings.
What happens when you change your display name
The change affects only new emails you send going forward. Any emails already in someone's inbox will still show your old name — changing your display name does not rewrite history. Recipients will see your new name on messages they receive after you make the change.
Your email address itself does not change. People can still reach you at the same address, and you still log in with the same username and password. Your contacts, folders, and all stored messages remain exactly as they were.
If you want to change your actual email address
Changing your email address is more complicated than changing your display name, because your address is your login credential. Most providers do not let you rename an existing address — instead, you have to create a new account.
If you want a different email address, create a new account with the address you want, then set up forwarding from your old address to your new one. This sends all incoming mail to your old address to your new inbox automatically. You can then send emails from your new address and gradually tell your contacts to use it. Keep your old account open for at least a few months in case someone still sends to the old address.
Some providers offer limited address-change tools: Gmail lets you add a secondary address and switch which one is primary, and Outlook sometimes allows a one-time address change if your account is new. Check your provider's help center to see if this option is available to you.
Using aliases or multiple send-from addresses
If you need to send emails under different names, most providers let you create aliases or secondary addresses without opening a whole new account. In Gmail, you can add up to 4 additional "Send mail as" addresses in settings. In Outlook, you can add aliases and choose which one appears as your sender name for each message.
This is useful if you want a professional name for work emails and a personal name for casual ones, or if you are known by multiple names. Each alias uses the same inbox and account — you are not managing separate accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email address to something completely different?
Not directly on an existing account — you would need to create a new account with the new address. Set up forwarding from your old address to catch any stragglers, then gradually move your contacts over. Keep both accounts active for a few months to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Will changing my display name affect my password or login?
No. Your password and login email address stay the same. Changing your display name only changes what people see when you send them an email — it does not touch your account security or how you sign in.
What if I change my display name and then change it back?
You can change your display name as many times as you want. Each change takes effect on new emails going forward. Old emails already sent will still show whatever name was active when you sent them.
Can I use a fake name or nickname as my display name?
Yes. Most email providers let you use any text you want in your display name — your real name is not required. Some workplaces or services may have policies about what names you can use, so check with your organization if you are using a work email.
If I add an alias, can I send from both addresses at the same time?
You can send from multiple addresses, but only one at a time. When you compose an email, you choose which address or alias to send from. The recipient sees whichever address you selected for that message.