The two names Gmail uses, and which one you can change

Gmail has two separate name fields: your Google Account name (the one that appears when you send an email) and your Gmail address (the username@gmail.com part). You can change your account name whenever you want. Your Gmail address itself cannot be changed — once it is created, it stays the same — but you can create a new Gmail address and transfer your data if you need a completely different email.

Most people need to change their account name, which is what shows up in the "From:" line when someone receives your email. This takes about two minutes and requires no verification or waiting period.

Key Takeaways

  • Your account name (what appears in emails you send) can be changed anytime in your Google Account settings, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Your Gmail address itself cannot be changed, but you can create a new Gmail account and forward mail from the old one.
  • Changes to your account name appear in new emails you send, but do not affect emails you have already sent or received.
  • If you share a Google Account with family members, changing the account name changes it for everyone using that account.

How to change your account name in Gmail settings

Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select See all settings. Click the Accounts and Import tab. Under "Send mail as," you will see your current name. Click Edit info next to it.

Type your new name in the field that appears. You can use your full legal name, a nickname, initials, or any combination — Gmail does not restrict what you enter. Click Save changes. The new name will appear in emails you send from that moment forward.

If you have set up multiple "Send mail as" addresses (which lets you send from different email addresses under one account), you can change the name for each one separately by clicking Edit info next to each address.

What happens to your old emails and contacts

Changing your account name does not affect emails you have already sent or received. People who received emails from you under your old name will still see the old name on those messages. Your contacts list does not change, and people do not need to update your information in their phone or address book.

Going forward, any new email you send will show your new name. If someone replies to an old email, their reply will still go to your Gmail address — the name change does not break any conversations.

If you need to change your Gmail address itself

Your Gmail address (the username@gmail.com part) cannot be changed. If you need a different email address entirely, you have to create a new Gmail account. You can then set up mail forwarding so that messages sent to your old address automatically go to your new one.

To forward mail, go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP > Forwarding address. Enter your new Gmail address and click Next. Gmail will send a confirmation email to your new address — click the link in that email to confirm. Once confirmed, all incoming mail to your old address will be forwarded to the new one.

You can also read your emails, contacts, and calendar from your old account using Google Takeout (takeout.google.com) and import them into your new account. This is useful if you want to keep a complete archive of your old messages.

Changing the name on a shared family account

If multiple people use the same Google Account (which is common in families), changing the account name changes it for everyone. All emails sent from that account will show the new name, regardless of who sent them.

If each person needs their own name to appear on their emails, each person should have their own Google Account. You can link multiple accounts together using Google Family Link or Google One family sharing, which lets you manage storage and some settings together without sharing the same login.

Troubleshooting: name change not showing up

If you changed your name but it is not appearing in emails you send, refresh your browser or sign out and back in. Sometimes Gmail caches the old name temporarily. Wait a few minutes and try sending a test email to yourself.

If the change still is not showing, check that you clicked Save changes at the bottom of the edit screen. Also verify that you edited the correct "Send mail as" address if you have multiple ones set up. If you use Gmail through a work or school account, your administrator may have locked the name field — contact your IT department in that case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address to something shorter or different?

No, your Gmail address cannot be changed once created. If you want a different address, you must create a new Gmail account. You can set up forwarding so mail sent to your old address reaches your new one, and use Google Takeout to read your old emails and import them.

Will changing my name affect my password or login?

No. Your password and login remain exactly the same. You log in with your Gmail address (username@gmail.com), which does not change. Only the name that appears in the "From:" line of your emails changes.

Do I need to tell my contacts about a name change?

No. Your email address stays the same, so people can still reach you at the same address. They will see your new name on emails you send going forward, but they do not need to update anything on their end.

Can I have multiple names on the same Gmail account?

Yes, if you set up multiple "Send mail as" addresses. Each address can have its own name. You choose which name appears when you send an email by selecting the address you want to send from before hitting send.

What if my work or school Gmail account won't let me change my name?

Your organization's administrator may have restricted name changes for security or compliance reasons. Contact your IT department or help desk to request a name change, or ask whether you can set up an alternate "Send mail as" address with a different name.