You cannot change your Gmail address itself, but you can change the name that appears when you send emails

Your Gmail address — the part before @gmail.com — is permanent and cannot be changed. Google does not offer a way to rename it, and no workaround exists. However, you can change your display name, which is what recipients see in the "From" line of your emails. This is separate from your address and takes about two minutes to update.

If you need a completely different Gmail address, your only option is to create a new account. You can then forward mail from the old address to the new one, or set up both to receive messages in the same inbox.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Gmail address (@gmail.com) cannot be changed, but your display name — what shows in the "From" line — can be updated in settings.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your email address, password, or any messages you have already sent.
  • If you need a completely different email address, you must create a new Gmail account and set up forwarding or dual-inbox access.
  • Display name changes take effect when ready for new emails but do not retroactively change the name on old messages.

How to change your display name in Gmail settings

Open Gmail in a web browser and sign in to your account. In the top right corner, click your profile picture or initial, then select "Manage your Google Account." Click the "Personal info" tab at the top.

Under "Basic info," find the "Name" field. Click on it and type the name you want to display. You can use your real name, a nickname, a business name, or any text you choose. Click "Save" when you are done. The change takes effect when ready for emails you send from that point forward.

What happens when you change your display name

Your Gmail address stays exactly the same. Recipients will still reach you at the same email address, and you will still receive messages sent to your original address. Your password does not change, and you do not need to sign in again.

The new display name appears only on emails you send after the change. Any emails you sent before the change will still show your old display name in recipients' inboxes — you cannot edit the past. If you have multiple email accounts, each one has its own display name setting, so changing one does not affect the others.

If you use Gmail through work or school

If your Gmail account is managed by your employer or school, you may not have permission to change your display name. Your organization's administrator controls these settings. Contact your IT department or help desk to request a change, or ask whether you can modify it yourself.

Some organizations lock the display name to match your official directory listing. In those cases, only an administrator can update it, and the change may require approval or take several days to process.

Creating a new Gmail address if you need a different one

If you want a completely different email address, go to accounts.google.com and click "Create account." Fill in your name, choose a new Gmail address, set a password, and follow the verification steps. You will have a separate account with its own inbox, contacts, and settings.

Once the new account is set up, you can forward mail from your old address to the new one. Sign in to your original Gmail account, click the settings gear icon, select "See all settings," go to the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab, and click "Add a forwarding address." Enter your new Gmail address and confirm it. From then on, all incoming mail to your old address will automatically copy to your new one.

Accessing both Gmail accounts from one inbox

If you want to keep both accounts but check them in one place, you can add your other Gmail address to the same inbox. Sign in to your primary Gmail account, click the settings gear, select "See all settings," and go to the "Accounts and Import" tab. Under "Check mail from other accounts," click "Add another email account" and enter your other Gmail address. Gmail will ask for your password and verify the connection.

Once linked, you can read and reply from both addresses without switching accounts. Messages from each address appear in the same inbox, and you can choose which address to send from when you compose a new email. This is useful if you want to phase out an old address gradually without losing access to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address to something completely different?

No. Your Gmail address is permanent and cannot be changed. If you need a different address, you must create a new Gmail account. You can then forward messages from the old address to the new one so you do not miss anything.

Will changing my display name affect my password or sign-in?

No. Your password and sign-in information remain unchanged. You will continue to log in with your Gmail address and the same password. Only the name that appears in the "From" line of your emails changes.

Can I have multiple display names for the same Gmail address?

No. Each Gmail account has one display name at a time. If you need to send emails under different names, you must create separate Gmail accounts. You can then manage both from one inbox using the forwarding or linked-account feature.

What if I forgot my Gmail address?

Go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery and enter a recovery email or phone number associated with your account. Google will send you a link to recover your account and show you your Gmail address. If you do not have a recovery method set up, contact Google support through their help center.

Does changing my display name change it everywhere I use Gmail?

Yes. Your display name change applies to all Gmail services connected to that account, including Gmail, Google Meet, and other Google products that show your name. If you use the same account for work and personal email, the display name will be the same in both contexts.