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 change is your display name — the one people see when they visit your profile — not your username (the handle with the @ symbol). Instagram lets you change your display name as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes.

The steps are the same whether you use the Instagram app on your phone or the website on a computer. You do not need to contact Instagram support or verify your identity. If you have a business account, the process is identical.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is separate from your username — you can change your display name when ready, but your username has stricter rules and a 14-day waiting period between changes.
  • Go to your profile, tap or click "Edit profile," find the "Name" field, type your new name, and save the change.
  • Display names can be up to 30 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and most symbols.
  • If you change your mind, you can change your display name again when ready with no penalty.

Steps to change your display name on the Instagram app

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon in the bottom right corner. Tap "Edit profile" — it appears near the top of your profile, below your profile picture.

Tap the "Name" field at the top of the edit screen. Delete your current name and type the new one. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores. Instagram will not let you use certain symbols or characters, and the name cannot be longer than 30 characters total.

Scroll down and tap "Done" or the checkmark button in the top right. Your new name appears on your profile when ready. The change is live for everyone who visits your profile.

Steps to change your display name on Instagram.com

Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy" from the menu.

Click "Edit profile" in the left sidebar. Find the "Name" field near the top of the page. Click in the field, delete the old name, and type your new one. The same 30-character limit and character restrictions explore.

Scroll down and click "Save changes." Your new name updates on your profile right away.

The difference between display name and username

Your display name is what people see on your profile — it can be your real name, a nickname, a business name, or anything else. You can change it when ready and as many times as you want. Your username is the handle that comes after the @ symbol (like @yourname). Usernames are harder to change: you can only change yours once every 14 days, and the change takes effect when ready but cannot be undone during that 14-day window.

If you want to change your username instead of your display name, go to "Edit profile" and look for the "Username" field instead of the "Name" field. The process is the same, but Instagram will remind you about the 14-day waiting period before you confirm.

What characters and symbols you can use

Instagram display names accept letters, numbers, spaces, periods (.), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). You cannot use the @ symbol, hashtags (#), or most special characters like asterisks, ampersands, or quotation marks. If you try to use a forbidden character, Instagram will show an error message and prevent you from saving.

The 30-character limit includes spaces. If your name is longer than that, you will need to shorten it or remove spaces. For example, "Sarah Michelle Photography Studio" is 35 characters with spaces, so you would need to cut it down to fit.

Changing your name on a business or creator account

Business and creator accounts follow the same process as regular accounts. Go to "Edit profile," change the "Name" field, and save. There is no separate approval step or delay for business accounts.

If your account is a business account, you may also have a "Category" field that describes what your business does. Changing your display name does not affect this category — you can update it separately if needed.

What happens when you change your name

When you change your display name, the new name appears when ready on your profile, in your posts, and in comments you have made. People who follow you will see the change the next time they visit your profile or see your posts in their feed. Instagram does not send a notification to your followers when you change your display name.

Your old posts, captions, and comments are not affected. If someone tagged you in a post using your old name, the tag still works and now shows your new name. Your follower count, likes, and all other account data stay exactly the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. If you change your mind, straightforward go back to "Edit profile" and type your old name again. There is no limit to how many times you can do this.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

No. Instagram does not send a notification when you change your display name. Your followers will only see the new name if they visit your profile or see your posts in their feed after the change.

Is changing my display name the same as changing my username?

No. Your display name is what people see on your profile and can be changed when ready. Your username is the @ handle and can only be changed once every 14 days. If you want to change your @ handle, look for the "Username" field in "Edit profile" instead of the "Name" field.

What if Instagram won't let me save my new name?

Instagram usually blocks a name if it contains forbidden characters (like @, #, or asterisks), exceeds 30 characters, or violates community guidelines. Check that your name uses only letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores. If it still will not save, try removing spaces or shortening the name.

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

You cannot use emojis or most special characters in your display name. Instagram only allows letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores. If you try to paste an emoji or symbol, Instagram will show an error and prevent you from saving.