Where to find the name change setting on Instagram

Your Instagram name lives in your profile settings, not in the main menu. Open Instagram on your phone or computer, tap or click your profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap "Edit profile." The field labeled "Name" is where you change the display name that appears at the top of your profile — this is different from your username (the handle with the @ symbol), which has stricter rules and a separate process.

On a computer, go to instagram.com, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Edit profile" from the dropdown menu, and you'll see the same Name field. The change takes effect when ready once you save it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what appears on your profile) is separate from your username (@handle) and can be changed anytime without restrictions.
  • The Name field accepts up to 30 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and most symbols.
  • Changes to your display name show up right away across Instagram, but your username change has a 14-day waiting period between changes.
  • If you want to change your @username instead of your display name, that process is in the same Edit Profile section but under "Username."

What you can and cannot put in your display name

Instagram allows 30 characters in the Name field, and you can use letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores. You can also use accented letters and characters from other languages. There is no restriction on how often you change your display name — you can update it as many times as you want.

The display name does not have to be unique. Multiple people can have the same display name on Instagram, so you won't get an error message if someone else is already using the name you choose. This is different from your username (@handle), which must be unique across the entire platform.

The difference between your display name and your username

Your display name is what people see at the top of your profile and next to your posts in their feed. It's the "Name" field in Edit Profile. Your username is your @handle — the unique identifier that appears in your profile URL and is how people tag you or search for you directly. The username is what shows up in comments and messages.

If you want to change your username instead, you'll find that option in the same Edit Profile section. Usernames have stricter rules: they can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and Instagram enforces a 14-day waiting period between username changes. You cannot change your username more than once every two weeks. Your display name has no such limit.

Steps to change your display name on mobile

Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the "Edit profile" button. Find the field labeled "Name" at the top of the form. Delete the current text and type your new display name. Tap "Done" or the checkmark in the top right corner to save your change.

The new name appears on your profile when ready. Anyone who visits your profile or sees your posts will see the updated name right away. If you change your mind, you can follow the same steps to change it again — there is no cooldown period for display name changes.

Steps to change your display name on a computer

Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Edit profile" from the menu. Locate the "Name" field near the top of the page. Clear the existing text and enter your new display name. Scroll down and click the "Submit" button to save your changes.

The change takes effect when ready on all devices. If you're logged into Instagram on your phone at the same time, you may need to refresh the app to see the updated name, but the change is live on Instagram's servers right away.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old display name is released and becomes available for anyone else to use. Instagram does not keep a history of your previous display names on your profile. If you want to change back to a name you used before, you can do so at any time, but there is no special status given to reclaiming an old name.

Your username history is different. If you change your username, Instagram holds your old username for 14 days before releasing it to others. During that two-week window, you can change back to your previous username without waiting. After 14 days, the old username becomes available to anyone.

Troubleshooting: Why your name change might not be working

If you tap "Done" or "Submit" but the name doesn't save, check that you're not using characters Instagram doesn't allow. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, and underscores. If you're using special characters from another language, they should work, but some symbols may cause an error.

If the field won't let you type anything, make sure you're logged into the account you want to change. If you're using a business or creator account, the process is identical, but you may have additional fields like "Category" or "Bio" that are required. Fill those in before saving. If the problem persists, try logging out and back in, or use a different device or browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Instagram username instead of my display name?

Yes. Your username (@handle) is in the same Edit Profile section, but it has different rules: it can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and you can only change it once every 14 days. Your display name has no such restrictions and can be changed anytime.

Will changing my name affect my followers or posts?

No. Your followers stay with you, and all your posts remain on your profile. Only the name that appears at the top of your profile and next to your posts changes. Your follower count, likes, and comments are not affected.

Can two people have the same display name on Instagram?

Yes. Display names do not have to be unique, so multiple accounts can use the same name. Usernames, however, must be unique — no two accounts can have the same @handle.

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

Your new display name appears on your profile when ready. It may take a few minutes to update in other places like search results or when people view your posts in their feed, but the change is live right away on your profile itself.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

You can change your display name back anytime — there is no waiting period. Just go to Edit Profile, change the Name field back to your old name, and save. If you're changing your username back, you have 14 days from the original change to do so without waiting.