Change your MacBook account name in System Settings

To change the name associated with your MacBook account, open System Settings, select "General," then click "About." You will see your computer name at the top — this is the name that appears on your network and in file sharing. Click "Edit" next to the computer name field, type the new name, and click "Done."

This changes only the device name, not your user account name. If you want to change the actual account name that appears when you log in, you need a different process. Go to System Settings, click "General," then select "Users & Groups" (or "Users & Groups" under "System Settings" depending on your macOS version). You may need to unlock this section by clicking the lock icon and entering your password.

Select your account from the list on the left, then right-click it and choose "Advanced Options." You can change the full name here, which is what appears in Mail, Messages, and other apps. The short account name (username) cannot be changed through the standard interface without more involved steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer name (visible on the network) and your account name (visible when you log in) are two separate things, and you change them in different places.
  • To change your computer name, go to System Settings > General > About and click Edit next to the computer name.
  • To change your account display name, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, select your account, right-click, and choose Advanced Options.
  • The short username (the folder name in /Users/) requires Terminal access to change and is not recommended unless you have technical experience.

Understanding computer name versus account name

Your MacBook has two separate names that serve different purposes. The computer name is what other devices see when you connect to a network, share files, or use AirDrop. The account name is what appears when you log in and what shows up in your email signature, Messages, and other apps.

Most people want to change their account name — the one that appears in apps and to other people. Changing the computer name is useful if you want a cleaner network identity or if you share your MacBook with others and want a neutral device name.

Changing your computer name step by step

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." Click "General" in the sidebar. At the top of the window, you will see your computer name. Click the "Edit" button next to it.

A text field will appear with your current computer name highlighted. Delete the old name and type the new one. Computer names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters. Click "Done" when you finish. Your MacBook will explore the change when ready, though some network services may take a few minutes to update.

Changing your account display name step by step

Open System Settings and click "General" in the sidebar. Scroll down and click "Users & Groups." If the section is locked (you will see a lock icon), click it and enter your password to unlock it.

Select your account from the list on the left side. Right-click your account name and select "Advanced Options." In the window that opens, you will see a field labeled "Full Name" — this is what appears in Mail, Messages, and other apps. Change it to whatever you want and click "OK."

Unlike the computer name, your account display name can include spaces and most special characters. The change takes effect when ready in most apps, though you may need to restart some applications for the change to show up everywhere.

What you cannot change without Terminal

Your short account name (also called your username) is the folder name inside /Users/ on your hard drive. This is what you type when you log in from the login screen, and it cannot be changed through System Settings alone.

Changing your short account name requires Terminal and involves renaming your user folder, which can cause problems if done incorrectly. Unless you have a specific technical reason to change it, it is safer to leave it as is and change only your display name instead. If you do need to change it, Apple's support documentation covers the process, but it is recommended only for experienced users.

Troubleshooting name changes that did not work

If you changed your computer name but it is not showing up on the network, restart your MacBook. Network services sometimes cache the old name and need a restart to recognize the new one. If other devices still see the old name after a restart, check that you clicked "Done" and that the change was saved in System Settings.

If you changed your account display name but it is not showing up in Mail or Messages, try restarting the app. Some applications read your account name when they launch and do not check again until you restart them. If the change still does not appear, sign out of the app, restart your MacBook, and sign back in.

When to change your computer name versus your account name

Change your computer name if you want a cleaner network identity, if you are setting up a shared MacBook and want a neutral device name, or if the default name (usually "FirstName's MacBook") feels too personal for a work device.

Change your account display name if you want to update how your name appears in Mail, Messages, and other apps, or if you want to use a nickname instead of your full legal name. This is the change most people are looking for, and it is the easiest one to make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different account names for different users on the same MacBook?

Yes. Each user account on your MacBook can have its own display name and short username. Go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, select a different account, and change its name the same way. This is useful if you share your MacBook with family or colleagues.

Will changing my computer name affect my files or apps?

No. Changing your computer name does not affect any of your files, apps, or settings. It only changes how your MacBook identifies itself on the network. All your data stays exactly where it is.

What happens if I change my account name and then forget my password?

Your password does not change when you change your account display name. You still log in with the same short username and password as before. The display name change only affects how your name appears in apps and to other people.

Can I change my computer name to anything I want?

Computer names can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or most special characters. If you try to use a space or special character, macOS will either remove it or prevent you from saving the name. Stick to letters, numbers, and hyphens for the smoothest experience.

Do I need to restart my MacBook after changing my name?

You do not need to restart after changing your account display name. However, restarting is recommended after changing your computer name so that network services recognize the change. Some apps may also need to be restarted to show your new account display name.