Change Your Display Name in Google Account Settings

To change the name that appears on your Google Account, sign in at myaccount.google.com, click Personal info in the left menu, then click the name field at the top. You can edit your first and last name separately. Type your new name, click Save, and the change takes effect when ready across Google services like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Drive.

The name you enter here is what other people see when you send them emails, share documents, or comment on videos. It does not have to match your legal name — you can use a nickname, a pen name, or any name you prefer. Google does not verify what you enter, so you can change it back anytime without restriction.

If you have changed your name recently and want to update it everywhere at once, this is the fastest way. The change shows up in Gmail within minutes and in other Google products within a few hours.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is edited in Personal Info at myaccount.google.com and changes across all Google services at once.
  • The name you set does not have to be your legal name, and you can change it as often as you want.
  • Gmail may still show your old name in some places for a few hours after you change it, but the new name will appear in new emails and shares.
  • If you use Google Workspace for work, your administrator may control your name, and you will need to ask them to change it instead.
  • Changing your account name does not affect your email address — your Gmail address stays the same.

Where the Name Change Shows Up

Once you save a new name, it appears in Gmail as the sender name on all outgoing emails. People who receive your messages will see the new name, and it also shows up in your Gmail signature unless you have set a custom one. In Google Drive, your new name appears next to files you own and comments you make on shared documents.

On YouTube, your channel name updates to match your account name (unless you have set a separate channel name). In Google Photos, the new name shows in shared albums and when you collaborate with others. Google Calendar displays your name on events you create and invitations you send.

The change does not affect your email address itself — your Gmail address remains the same. People still send messages to your original email address, but they see your new display name as the sender.

What Happens If You Use Google Workspace

If your Google Account is managed by an organization through Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), you may not be able to change your own name. Your administrator controls many account settings, including your display name in some cases. Try going to myaccount.google.com and clicking Personal Info — if the name field is grayed out or locked, your administrator has restricted it.

Contact your IT department or administrator and ask them to change your name in the Google Workspace admin console. They can update it for you, and the change will sync to your account within a few hours. If you are unsure who your administrator is, check the welcome email you received when your account was created, or ask a coworker.

Changing Your Name in Gmail Specifically

If you only want to change the name that appears in Gmail (not across your whole Google Account), you can set a custom sender name in Gmail settings. Open Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right, select See all settings, then go to the Accounts and Import tab. Under "Send mail as," click Edit info next to your email address and change the name there.

This method creates a separate name just for Gmail and does not change your main account name. It is useful if you want a professional name in Gmail but a different name elsewhere, or if your administrator has locked your account name. The Gmail-only name takes effect on new emails you send but does not change your name in other Google services.

Fixing a Name That Shows Incorrectly

Sometimes your old name lingers in Gmail or other services even after you change it in Personal Info. This usually happens because Google's systems have not fully synced yet. Wait a few hours and refresh your browser, or sign out and sign back in to force an update. The old name typically disappears within 24 hours.

If your name still shows incorrectly after a full day, clear your browser cache and cookies, then sign in again. If the problem persists, try a different browser to see if it is a display issue on your end. In rare cases, you may need to sign out of all devices and sign back in to sync the change everywhere.

If you see your old name in emails you sent before the change, that is normal — Google does not update the sender name on past emails. Only new emails you send will show your new name.

Changing Your Name on a Phone or Tablet

You can change your account name on a mobile device using the Google Account app or through your phone's settings. On Android, open Settings, tap Google, then Manage your Google Account, go to the Personal info tab, and tap the name field to edit it. On iPhone or iPad, open the Gmail app or go to myaccount.google.com in Safari, then follow the same steps as on a computer.

The process is the same on mobile as on a computer — you edit the name in Personal Info and it syncs across all devices. If you are signed into Gmail on your phone, you may need to refresh the app or restart it to see the new name appear in your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my name affect my Gmail address?

No. Your email address (the part before @gmail.com) stays exactly the same. Only the display name — what people see as the sender — changes. People still send messages to your original email address.

How long does it take for the name change to show everywhere?

The change takes effect when ready in your account settings, but it may take a few hours to appear in all Google services. Gmail usually updates within minutes, but YouTube, Drive, and Calendar may take up to a few hours to sync the new name.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes. Go back to myaccount.google.com, click Personal Info, edit the name field, and save. You can change your name as many times as you want with no restrictions or waiting period.

What if I want a different name in Gmail than on the rest of my account?

You can set a custom sender name in Gmail settings under Accounts and Import, then Edit Info. This name appears only in Gmail and does not change your main account name in other Google services.

Why does my old name still show in some places?

Google's systems take time to sync. Wait a few hours, refresh your browser, or sign out and back in. If it persists after 24 hours, clear your cache and cookies. Old emails you sent before the change will always show the old name — Google does not update past messages.