Change Your Display Name in Three Steps

Your display name on X (formerly Twitter) is the name that appears on your profile and next to your posts. You can change it anytime without losing your account, followers, or tweet history. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way on the website, the mobile app, or the desktop app.

Go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top left corner (on web) or tapping the menu icon (on mobile). Select "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu. Then tap or click "Account" and find the field labeled "Name" near the top of the page. Delete your current name and type in the new one you want. X will save the change automatically once you click outside the text box or press Enter.

You can change your name as often as you want. X does not limit how many times you do this, and there is no waiting period between changes. Your old name will not appear anywhere on your profile once you update it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is different from your username (the @handle) and can be changed when ready without affecting your account.
  • The name field accepts up to 50 characters, including spaces and most punctuation marks.
  • Changing your name does not notify your followers, and your old name does not stay visible anywhere on your profile.
  • If you want to change your username instead, that process is separate and may have a waiting period depending on your account age.

Where to Find the Name Field on Each Device

On the X website, log in and click your profile picture in the top left corner. A menu will drop down with several options. Click "Settings and privacy" at the bottom of that menu. On the next page, click "Account" in the left sidebar. Scroll down slightly and you will see a field labeled "Name" with your current display name inside it.

On the X mobile app for iPhone or Android, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy." Then tap "Account" and scroll to find the "Name" field at the top of the account settings. The process is identical on both iOS and Android.

On the X desktop app (if you use it), the steps are the same as the website. Click your profile picture, select "Settings and privacy," click "Account," and find the "Name" field.

What You Can and Cannot Put in Your Display Name

X allows you to use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks in your display name. You can include emojis, accented characters, and symbols like hyphens, underscores, and parentheses. The name field holds up to 50 characters total, so you have room for a fairly long name if you want one.

X does not allow you to use certain characters that could break the site's code, but you will see an error message if you try to use something forbidden. The most common blocked characters are angle brackets (< and >). If you get an error, try removing special characters and using only letters, numbers, and spaces instead.

Your display name does not have to match your real name. Many people use nicknames, brand names, or creative handles as their display name while keeping a different username. X does not require you to verify that your name is real or matches any government document.

The Difference Between Display Name and Username

Your display name is what people see on your profile and next to your posts. It is the large text at the top of your profile page. You can change this as many times as you want, when ready, with no restrictions.

Your username is your @handle — the unique identifier that comes after the @ symbol. Usernames are harder to change. On newer accounts (less than 30 days old), you can change your username once every 30 days. On older accounts, you can change it once every 30 days as well, but X may impose a waiting period if you change it frequently. If you want to change your username instead of your display name, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Username.

People search for and mention you using your username, not your display name. If you change your display name, all your old posts and mentions stay the same because they are tied to your username. Changing your display name is purely cosmetic and does not affect how people find or tag you.

What Happens After You Change Your Name

Once you save your new name, it appears on your profile when ready. Your followers will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see one of your posts. X does not send a notification to your followers telling them you changed your name, so most people will not notice unless they visit your profile directly.

Your old name does not appear anywhere after the change. X does not keep a public history of past display names on your profile. If someone took a screenshot of your old profile, that screenshot will show the old name, but the live profile will show only the new one.

All your tweets, likes, and followers remain attached to your account. Changing your name does not affect your follower count, your tweet history, or any of your account data. Your username stays the same, so anyone who follows you by your @handle will still find you.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If you cannot find the "Name" field, make sure you are in the right section. On the website, go to Settings and privacy > Account. On mobile, go to Settings and privacy > Account. The "Name" field should be near the top, above the "Bio" field. If you still cannot see it, try logging out and logging back in, or try a different browser or app version.

If you get an error message when you try to save your new name, the name probably contains a character X does not allow. Try removing special characters and using only letters, numbers, and spaces. If the error persists, your account may have a temporary restriction, which usually clears within a few hours.

If your name change does not appear after you save it, refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Sometimes the change takes a few seconds to sync across X's servers. If it still does not appear after a few minutes, try the process again.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. X does not prevent you from changing your name back to an old one. You can type in any name you want, including one you used in the past. There is no limit on how many times you change your name or how quickly you do it.

Will my followers be notified if I change my name?

No. X does not send notifications when you change your display name. Your followers will see the new name only if they visit your profile or see one of your posts after the change. Most people will not notice unless they check your profile regularly.

If I change my name, will people still be able to find my old posts?

Yes. Your posts are tied to your username, not your display name. Changing your display name does not affect your tweet history, and people can still find your old posts by searching for your username or visiting your profile.

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

Yes, you can use spaces, hyphens, underscores, parentheses, and most other punctuation marks. You can also use emojis and accented letters. The name field holds up to 50 characters. Avoid angle brackets (< and >) as X does not allow those.

Is changing my display name different from changing my username?

Yes. Your display name is the large text on your profile and can be changed when ready as many times as you want. Your username is your @handle and can be changed once every 30 days. Changing your display name does not affect your username or how people mention you.