Where to find your name settings on Amazon
Your name on Amazon lives in your account settings, not in a separate profile page. To change it, sign into your Amazon account, go to Account & Lists in the top right corner, and select Your Account. From there, click Login & security on the left side. You'll see a section labeled Name with your current name displayed — click Edit next to it.
Amazon will ask you to confirm your password before letting you make the change. This is a security step to make sure someone else hasn't gained access to your account. Once you've entered your password, you can type in your new first and last name directly into the fields provided.
The change takes effect when ready after you save it. Your new name will appear on future orders, receipts, and any communications Amazon sends you. If you've already placed orders under your old name, those order confirmations won't change — they'll still show the name you used when you placed them.
Key Takeaways
- Your name is stored in Login & security under Account & Lists, not in a separate profile section.
- Amazon requires you to enter your password before changing your name as a security measure.
- The new name appears on all future orders and communications when ready after you save the change.
- Past orders keep the name you used when you placed them — changing your account name does not retroactively update old receipts.
- If you use Amazon Business or have a linked household account, each account has its own separate name setting.
What happens to past orders when you change your name
When you change your name on Amazon, the system does not go back and update every order you've ever placed. Your order history stays exactly as it was — if you ordered something under the name "John Smith" and later change your account name to "Jonathan Smith," that old order will still show "John Smith" on the receipt and confirmation email.
This matters most if you're changing your name for legal reasons, like marriage, divorce, or a legal name change. If a package is currently in transit or hasn't shipped yet, it will still be addressed to your old name unless you contact Amazon customer service before the shipment leaves the warehouse. Once a package has shipped, the address label is already printed and cannot be changed.
If you need to update the name on a package that hasn't shipped, contact Amazon customer service through your account. Go to Account & Lists, select Your Account, then Customer Service. Explain that you've changed your name and ask them to update the shipping label on your pending order. They can usually do this if the item hasn't left the warehouse yet.
Changing your name on Amazon Business or household accounts
If you have an Amazon Business account, that account has its own separate name field. The process is the same — go to Account & Lists, select Your Account, then Login & security — but the name you change there applies only to your Business account, not to any personal Amazon account you might also have.
If you're part of an Amazon Household (a shared account where multiple adults have access), each person has their own login and their own name setting. Changing your name in your account settings does not change anyone else's name or affect shared orders. If you share an account with a partner or family member and want to update the primary account holder's name, that person needs to log in and make the change themselves.
If you've forgotten your password or can't access your account
Amazon requires your current password to change your name, which is a security feature. If you've forgotten your password, you'll need to reset it before you can make any changes to your account settings. On the login page, click Forgot password? and follow the steps to reset it. Amazon will send a link to the email address associated with your account.
If you can't access the email address linked to your account, or if you believe someone else has changed your password without permission, contact Amazon customer service. Go to Account & Lists, select Your Account, then Customer Service. Explain the situation, and they can help you regain access to your account before you make any other changes.
Changing your name for legal reasons
If you've legally changed your name through marriage, divorce, or a court order, updating your Amazon account is straightforward — the process is the same as any other name change. However, you may also want to update the name on your payment methods and shipping address to match your legal documents.
To update your payment method, go to Account & Lists, select Your Account, then Your payments. Click on the card or payment method you want to update and edit the name associated with it. For your shipping address, go to Your Account, select Your addresses, and update the name on any addresses you use regularly.
If you've changed your name legally and have active subscriptions (like Amazon Prime or Subscribe & Save orders), those will continue to work with your updated name. However, if you have a Prime membership under an old name, you may want to contact customer service to make sure the membership is properly linked to your updated account information.
What information Amazon needs to verify your identity
Amazon does not ask for government ID or legal documentation when you change your name through your account settings. The only verification required is your account password. This is because you're changing information within your own account, not requesting a formal identity change with Amazon's records.
However, if you're making a large purchase, changing your shipping address significantly, or if Amazon suspects unusual account activity, they may ask for additional verification. This might include confirming a recent purchase, verifying your phone number, or answering security questions you set up when you created your account. These steps are designed to protect your account from unauthorized access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my name on Amazon affect my Prime membership?
No. Your Prime membership stays active and attached to your account regardless of what name you use. The membership is tied to your account login, not to the name field. Your Prime benefits will continue to work exactly as before.
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. The process is identical — go to Login & security, click Edit next to your name, enter your password, and type in whatever name you want. Amazon does not limit how many times you can change your name or require you to wait between changes.
Does changing my name on Amazon change it on my credit card or bank account?
No. Your Amazon account name is separate from your payment method. If you need to update the name on your credit card or bank account, you'll need to contact your bank or card issuer directly. Amazon only changes the name stored in your Amazon account.
What if I see a name on my account that I didn't put there?
This could mean someone else has accessed your account. Change your password when ready by going to Login & security and clicking Edit next to your password. Then contact Amazon customer service through Your Account to report the unauthorized change and ask them to review your account activity.
Can I use a nickname or business name instead of my legal name?
Yes. Amazon does not require you to use your legal name on your account. You can enter any name you want in the name field. However, if you're using your account to make purchases that will be shipped to you, the name on your account should match the name on your shipping address so packages arrive without confusion.