Change your channel name in YouTube Studio

You can change the name that appears on your YouTube channel by going into YouTube Studio, finding your channel settings, and updating the name field. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few hours to show everywhere YouTube displays your channel name across the platform.

The name you change here is separate from your Google Account name. Changing your YouTube channel name does not change your Gmail address, your name in Google Drive, or any other Google service. Only your YouTube channel's public display name updates.

If you have a brand account (a YouTube channel managed by a Google Account that is not your personal account), the process is the same, but the name change applies only to that brand account's channel.

Key Takeaways

  • Open YouTube Studio, select "Settings" from the left menu, then click "Basic info" to find the channel name field.
  • Type your new channel name, which can be up to 30 characters long, and click "Publish" to save the change.
  • Your channel name change shows up right away on your channel page but may take a few hours to update everywhere else on YouTube.
  • Changing your YouTube channel name does not affect your Google Account name, email address, or any other Google services.
  • You can change your channel name as often as you want, though YouTube may flag very frequent changes as suspicious activity.

Step-by-step instructions for YouTube Studio

Start by signing into YouTube and clicking your profile icon in the top right corner. Select "Create a channel" if you do not yet have one, or "Settings" if you already do. This takes you to your account menu.

Click "YouTube Studio" from the menu. Once you are in Studio, look at the left sidebar and select "Settings." Then click the "Basic info" tab. You will see a field labeled "Channel name" near the top of the page. This is where your current channel name appears.

Click inside the channel name field and delete the old name. Type your new name—YouTube allows up to 30 characters. When you are done typing, click the blue "Publish" button at the bottom right of the page. Your change is now saved.

What happens to your old channel name

When you change your channel name, your old name becomes available for other creators to use. YouTube does not reserve old channel names for the person who used them before. If you think you might want to use your old name again in the future, you should write it down before you change it.

Your channel URL (the web address people use to find you) does not change when you rename your channel. If your URL was youtube.com/@oldname, it stays that way even after you change your display name to something new. This means people who bookmarked your channel or shared your link will still find you.

Channel name rules and limits

YouTube allows channel names up to 30 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Avoid names that impersonate other creators, contain hate speech, or violate YouTube's Community Guidelines, as YouTube may suspend or remove your channel.

Your channel name must be unique on YouTube—you cannot use a name that is already taken by another channel. If the name you want is already in use, YouTube will tell you when you try to publish and suggest alternatives.

Changing your name on a brand account

A brand account is a separate YouTube channel that is managed by your Google Account but is not tied to your personal name. If you manage a brand account, the process for changing its name is identical to changing a personal channel name. Go to YouTube Studio, select Settings, click Basic info, and update the channel name field.

You can switch between your personal channel and any brand accounts you manage by clicking your profile icon and selecting the account you want to use. Each account has its own separate channel name, subscribers, and video library.

If your channel name change does not appear

After you click Publish, your new channel name shows up on your channel page almost when ready. However, it can take a few hours for the name to update in YouTube search results, in the comments section, in your subscriber notifications, and in other places across YouTube. This delay is normal and does not mean something went wrong.

If more than 24 hours have passed and your new name still does not appear in most places, try signing out of YouTube and signing back in. Clear your browser cache or try a different browser. If the problem continues, you can contact YouTube Support through the Help Center, though they may not be able to speed up the update process.

Changing your name frequently

You can change your channel name as many times as you want. However, if you change it very often—multiple times per week—YouTube's automated systems may flag your account as suspicious and temporarily prevent further changes. This is a safety measure to prevent account takeovers.

If you find yourself locked out of changing your name, wait a few days before trying again. YouTube will usually lift the restriction automatically. If you have a legitimate reason to change your name frequently (for example, you run a channel that announces daily themes), you can contact YouTube Support to explain your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my YouTube channel name change my email address?

No. Your YouTube channel name and your Google Account email address are separate. Changing your channel name does not affect your Gmail, Google Drive, or any other Google service. Your email address stays the same.

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

You can change your channel name to anything you want, including a name you used in the past. However, if someone else has taken your old name since you changed it, you will not be able to use it again unless they change theirs first.

Will my subscribers be notified when I change my channel name?

No. YouTube does not send a notification to your subscribers when you change your channel name. Your subscribers will see the new name the next time they visit your channel, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

What if I want to change my name but keep my old URL?

Your channel URL does not change when you rename your channel. If your URL is youtube.com/@yourname, it stays that way no matter what you change your display name to. People who have your URL bookmarked or shared will still find you.

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

You can use most punctuation marks and special characters, but emojis may not work in all places on YouTube. Test your channel name after you publish it to see how it appears in search results and comments. If it does not look right, you can change it again.