Change your display name in three steps

Your Twitter display name — the one that appears above your posts and in search results — can be changed at any time from your account settings. You do not need a new email address, phone number, or account. The change takes effect when ready across the platform.

Go to your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy. Choose Account, then Account information. Find the Name field, delete the current text, type your new name, and click Save. Twitter allows up to 50 characters, including spaces and punctuation.

Your @username (the handle that starts with @) is separate from your display name and follows different rules. If you want to change your handle instead, that process is covered in the section below.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name changes when ready and appears everywhere on your profile and in your posts without any waiting period.
  • You can use spaces, emoji, and special characters in your display name, but your @username has stricter limits.
  • Changing your name does not affect your followers, messages, or any of your tweets — they stay attached to your account.
  • If you want to change your @username instead, you can do that from the same Account information page, but you can only change it once every 30 days.

Where to find the name field on mobile and desktop

On a phone or tablet, tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner (iPhone) or top left corner (Android). Select Settings and privacy, then Account. Scroll down to Account information and tap Name. Type your new name and tap Save.

On a computer, the steps are the same: profile picture in the top right, Settings and privacy, Account, Account information, then the Name field. The page layout is wider but the location of each button is identical.

If you cannot find Account information, make sure you are in the Account section and not Privacy and safety or another tab. Some older accounts may see slightly different wording, but the Name field is always in the same place.

The difference between display name and @username

Your display name is what people see when they look at your profile or read your tweets. It can contain spaces, emoji, and most special characters. You can change it as often as you want with no waiting period.

Your @username (or handle) is the unique identifier that starts with @. It can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. If you want to change your handle, go to the same Account information page, find the Username field, and enter a new one. Twitter will tell you when ready if the name is taken. You can only change your username once every 30 days.

Changing either one does not affect the other. Your followers, messages, and tweet history stay with your account no matter what name you use.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old display name disappears from your profile and from all your past tweets. People who search for your old name will not find your account — they will only find your new name. This change is permanent and applies retroactively to your entire history on the platform.

If someone had mentioned you by your old display name in a tweet, that mention will not turn into a link anymore, because the old name is no longer attached to your account. However, the text of their tweet does not change — they would have to edit it to update the name.

Your @username is different. If you change your handle, your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. Any old links or mentions using your previous @username will break.

Reasons your name change might not save

If you click Save and the name does not stick, the most common reason is that you have already changed your name recently and Twitter is enforcing a cooldown period. Check whether you changed your display name in the last few hours — there is sometimes a brief delay before you can change it again.

Another reason is that your account may be locked or restricted. If Twitter suspects unusual activity, it may prevent name changes until you verify your identity. You will see a message on the Account information page if this is the case.

If the field straightforward will not let you type, try refreshing the page or logging out and back in. Clear your browser cache if you are on a computer, or close and reopen the Twitter app on your phone. These steps usually fix temporary glitches.

Changing your name if your account is suspended or locked

If your account is locked, you cannot change your name until you unlock it. Twitter will show you a message explaining why the account is locked and what you need to do — usually verifying your phone number or email address. Once you complete that step, the name field will become available again.

If your account is permanently suspended, you cannot change the name because you cannot access your account at all. You would need to create a new account if you want to use Twitter again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your display name or how quickly you can do it. You can change it back to your old name, a different name, or anything else at any time. The only restriction is on your @username, which can only be changed once every 30 days.

Will my followers see that I changed my name?

Your followers will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see one of your tweets. Twitter does not send a notification about name changes. If you want people to know, you can post a tweet mentioning it.

What characters can I use in my display name?

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, emoji, and most punctuation marks in your display name. The limit is 50 characters total. Your @username is more restricted — it can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores, with no spaces.

If I change my name, do my old tweets disappear?

No. Your tweets stay on your account and remain visible to anyone who can see your profile. They will show your new name, not the old one. The content of the tweets does not change — only the name attached to them.

Can someone else take my old @username after I change it?

Yes, but not when ready. If you change your @username, the old one becomes available for someone else to claim after 30 days. Your display name is different — old display names do not become available because they are not unique identifiers.