Change Your YouTube Channel Name in Three Steps

You can change the name that appears on your YouTube channel by editing your Google Account profile. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you use YouTube on a computer or phone. Your new name shows up when ready on your channel, in comments you post, and anywhere else your account name appears on YouTube.

The name you change is your display name — the one viewers see. This is different from your Google Account email address, which stays the same. You can change your display name as many times as you want, though YouTube may limit how often you can do it if you change it repeatedly in a short time.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your YouTube name through your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself.
  • Your new name appears everywhere on YouTube within a few minutes, including on your channel, comments, and uploads.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, or a brand name — YouTube has no rules about what your display name must be.
  • If you change your name too many times in a short period, YouTube may temporarily prevent you from changing it again.
  • Your email address and login information do not change when you change your display name.

How to Change Your Name on a Computer

Open YouTube in your web browser and sign in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner. A menu will drop down — click Create a channel if you have never set one up, or Settings if you already have a channel.

In Settings, click Edit on Google or Manage your Google Account. This takes you to your Google Account page. Click the Personal info tab at the top. Under your name, click the pencil icon to edit. Type your new name in the first and last name fields, then click Save. Your YouTube channel name updates within a few minutes.

How to Change Your Name on a Phone or Tablet

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture in the top right corner. Tap Settings. Scroll down and tap Manage your Google Account. Tap the Personal info tab. Tap your name, then tap the pencil icon. Edit your first and last name and tap Save.

If you are using a browser on your phone instead of the app, follow the same steps as the computer version above. The layout may look slightly different on a small screen, but the buttons are in the same places.

What Name Changes Affect and What They Do Not

Your new display name shows up on your channel page, in the comments you post, in video descriptions if you upload videos, and in any messages you send through YouTube. Other people will see your new name when ready. Your old name will no longer appear anywhere on YouTube.

Your email address, password, and login information do not change. You still sign in with the same email you always used. Your watch history, subscriptions, playlists, and all your videos stay exactly the same. The only thing that changes is what other people see when they look at your account.

When YouTube Limits How Often You Can Change Your Name

If you change your display name multiple times within a few days, YouTube may prevent you from changing it again for a while. This is a safety feature to stop people from impersonating others or evading bans. If you see a message saying you cannot change your name right now, wait a few days and try again.

There is no fixed rule for how many changes trigger this limit — it depends on your account history and how quickly you make the changes. If you change your name once every few weeks or months, you will never hit this limit.

Changing Your Channel Name Separately From Your Account Name

If you have a YouTube channel, you can also set a separate channel name that is different from your Google Account display name. This channel name appears on your channel page and in your channel URL. To change it, go to YouTube.com, click your profile picture, and select Create a channel or Settings. Click Customize channel and look for the channel name field.

Most people use the same name for both their account and their channel, but you can keep them different if you want. Your account name is what shows up in comments and messages, while your channel name is what appears on your channel page.

Troubleshooting Name Change Problems

If your new name does not appear after 15 minutes, try signing out of YouTube and signing back in. Clear your browser cache or close and reopen the YouTube app. If you still see your old name, wait another hour — sometimes the change takes longer to show up everywhere.

If you get an error message when you try to save your new name, make sure you are signed into the right Google Account. If you have multiple Google Accounts, you may be editing the wrong one. Check the email address at the top of the Google Account page to confirm you are in the right account. If the error persists, try again in a different web browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your name to anything you want at any time. If you want to go back to a previous name, just follow the same steps and enter the old name. YouTube does not prevent you from reusing a name you had before.

Does changing my YouTube name affect my email or password?

No. Your email address and password stay exactly the same. You sign in with the same email you always used. Changing your display name only changes what other people see — it does not touch your login information.

Will my subscribers see that I changed my name?

Your subscribers will see your new name the next time they visit your channel or see your videos in their feed. YouTube does not send them a notification about the name change. They straightforward see the new name when they look at your channel.

How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere?

Usually a few minutes. In rare cases it can take up to an hour for your new name to appear in all places on YouTube, like in old comments or in search results. If it has been more than an hour, try signing out and back in.

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

YouTube allows most letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks. Emojis and some special characters may not work. If you try to save a name with characters YouTube does not allow, you will see an error message telling you which characters to remove.