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 name you see on your own profile—the one under your username—is called your "name" in Instagram's settings, separate from your username (the handle people use to tag you). You can change this name as many times as you want, and Instagram does not limit how often you do it.
The steps are the same whether you use the Instagram app on your phone or the website on a computer. You will go to your profile, open settings, find the "Edit Profile" option, and type in the new name you want to display.
Key Takeaways
- Your Instagram name (the display name) is different from your username (your handle), and you can change the display name without changing your handle.
- You can change your name through the mobile app by tapping your profile picture, then Settings and Privacy, then Edit Profile.
- On the web, go to your profile, click the Edit Profile button, and update the name field directly.
- Instagram allows you to change your name as often as you want with no waiting period between changes.
- The new name appears on your profile when ready after you save it, but it may take a few minutes to show up in search results.
Steps to change your name on the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your profile page. At the top, you will see a button that says "Edit Profile"—tap it.
The first field on the Edit Profile screen is labeled "Name." Tap inside it and delete your current name. Type the new name you want to display. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Instagram does not restrict what you put in this field the way it does with usernames.
Scroll down and tap the "Done" button (on iPhone) or the checkmark (on Android). Your new name is now live on your profile. Other people will see it when ready when they visit your profile page.
Steps to change your name on Instagram.com
Go to Instagram.com and log in if you are not already signed in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Profile" from the menu that appears.
On your profile page, look for the "Edit Profile" button near the top. Click it. The first field you see is "Name." Click inside it, clear the current text, and type your new name. You can include spaces, numbers, and punctuation just as you can in the app.
Scroll down and click the "Submit" button. Your name change is saved and visible on your profile right away.
What happens when you change your name
The new name appears on your profile page when ready. Anyone who visits your profile will see the updated name under your username. If someone has you saved in their phone contacts or has bookmarked your profile, they will see the new name the next time they look at your profile.
The name change does not affect your username (your handle). Your username stays the same, so people who follow you or search for you by your handle will find you exactly as before. The name is purely a display field—it is what shows up on your profile, in comments you post, and in direct messages, but it does not change how people tag you or search for you.
If you change your name very frequently, Instagram may slow down how fast the new name shows up in search results or in other people's follower lists. But your profile itself updates when ready.
Changing your username instead of your name
If you want to change your username (your handle, the @username people use to find you) instead of your display name, the process is different and has restrictions. You can change your username once every 14 days. Go to Settings and Privacy, tap Account, then tap Username, and type the new handle you want. Instagram will tell you if the username is already taken.
Changing your username is more disruptive than changing your name, because people who have saved your old handle or shared links to your profile will have trouble finding you. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it. For this reason, most people change their display name instead of their username.
Troubleshooting name changes that do not save
If you typed a new name and hit Done or Submit but the change did not stick, the most common cause is that Instagram rejected the name for containing something it flags as spam or abuse. Instagram's automated system sometimes blocks names that include certain words or patterns, even if the name is harmless. Try removing any numbers, symbols, or unusual spacing and try again.
If the app is not responding when you try to save, close Instagram completely and open it again. Make sure you are using the latest version of the app—check your phone's app store for updates. If you are on the web, try a different browser or clear your browser cache and cookies, then log back in.
If you see an error message saying you have changed your name too recently, wait 24 hours and try again. This is rare, but Instagram occasionally enforces a cooldown if you change your name many times in a short period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or emojis in my Instagram name?
Yes. The name field allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks, including emojis. Your username (handle) is much more restricted—it can only have letters, numbers, periods, and underscores—but your display name has far fewer limits. Test what you want to use, and Instagram will tell you if something does not work.
Will changing my name affect my followers or my posts?
No. Your followers stay with you, your posts stay on your profile, and your follower count does not change. The only thing that changes is what name appears next to your username on your profile and in comments. Everything else about your account remains the same.
How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere on Instagram?
Your profile shows the new name when ready. It may take a few minutes to show up in search results or in other people's follower lists, but usually it appears within a few minutes. If you do not see it after an hour, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the app.
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your name or how often you can change it back. You can change your name as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes.
Is there a difference between my name and my username?
Yes. Your username is your handle (the @username), and it is what people use to search for you and tag you. Your name is the display name that appears on your profile. You can change your name whenever you want, but you can only change your username once every 14 days.