Change your Instagram name in the app or on the web

You can change the name that appears on your Instagram profile in about two minutes. The process is the same whether you use the mobile app or a web browser: go to your profile, tap or click "Edit Profile," change the name field, and save. Instagram calls this your "Name" — it is separate from your username (the handle people use to tag you or search for you). You can change your name as often as you want, and there is no waiting period between changes.

The name you set is what shows up when someone visits your profile or sees your posts in their feed. Your username, by contrast, stays the same unless you go through a separate process to change it. If you want to change your username instead, that requires different steps and has a 14-day waiting period between changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Instagram name is the display name on your profile and is separate from your username (your handle).
  • You can change your name from the Edit Profile section on mobile or web, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • You can change your name as many times as you want with no waiting period, but changing your username has a 14-day cooldown.
  • If you want to change your username instead of your name, you will need to use the Username field in settings rather than the Name field.

Steps to change your name on mobile

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap "Edit Profile" near the top of the screen. The first field you see is "Name" — this is what you are changing. Delete the current text and type your new name.

You can use up to 30 characters, including spaces and special characters. Instagram does not restrict what you put here — you can use your real name, a nickname, a business name, or anything else. Once you have typed your new name, scroll down and tap "Done" at the top right. The change saves when ready and is live on your profile.

Steps to change your name on the web

Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Edit Profile" from the menu. The "Name" field appears near the top of the page. Click in the field, clear the current text, and type your new name.

The same 30-character limit applies. Once you have entered your new name, scroll down and click "Submit" at the bottom of the page. Your change takes effect right away and will show on your profile and in your posts.

The difference between name and username

Your name is the display name that appears on your profile header and next to your posts. It is what people see when they visit your profile or look at your feed. You can change it whenever you want, and there is no limit to how many times you can do it.

Your username is your handle — the thing that comes after the @ symbol. This is what people type to search for you or tag you in comments. If you change your username, Instagram enforces a 14-day waiting period before you can change it again. To change your username, go to Edit Profile and look for the "Username" field instead of the "Name" field.

Many people keep their username the same for years so their followers can find them consistently, while changing their display name more often. For example, your username might be @sarah_martinez but your name field could say "Sarah" one month and "Sarah | Photographer" the next.

What happens to your old name

When you change your name, the old one disappears from your profile when ready. People who follow you will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts. There is no notification sent to your followers about the name change — they straightforward see the new name when they look.

Your username does not change when you change your name, so people can still find you and tag you the same way. The name change only affects what appears on your profile and next to your posts, not how people search for you or interact with you.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is confusing your name with your username. If you want to change the handle people use to find you (the @username), you need to use the Username field in Edit Profile, not the Name field. The Name field only changes your display name.

Another mistake is forgetting to tap or click "Done" or "Submit" after typing your new name. If you change the text and then navigate away without saving, your change will not go through. Always wait for the confirmation that your change has been saved before closing the page or app.

If you are trying to change your name very frequently (more than once a day), Instagram may temporarily prevent you from making more changes. This is a spam-prevention measure. If this happens, wait a few hours before trying again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or emojis in my Instagram name?

Yes. Instagram allows letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, underscores, and most special characters in your display name. You can also use emojis. The only limit is 30 characters total, so a name with emojis will use up your character count faster than text alone.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

No. Instagram does not send notifications when you change your display name. Your followers will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts, but they will not receive a notification about the change.

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

Your new name appears on your profile and next to your posts almost when ready — usually within seconds. In rare cases, it may take a few minutes to show up in all places across Instagram, but this is uncommon.

Can I change my username as often as I change my name?

No. You can change your display name as many times as you want, but you can only change your username once every 14 days. If you change your username, you will have to wait two weeks before you can change it again.

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

You can change your name back at any time by going to Edit Profile and typing your old name again. There is no waiting period or limit to how many times you can change your name, so you can switch back and forth as often as you want.