Where to find the name setting on your Mac

Your Mac displays a name in two places: the computer name (what appears on your network and in file sharing) and the account name (what shows on the login screen and in System Settings). Most people need to change the account name, which is the one tied to your user profile. You reach it through System Settings, not the Finder.

Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top-left corner, then selecting System Settings. From there, go to General, then About. You will see your computer name listed there — but to change your account name, you need a different path. Go back to System Settings, click General again, then look for the Users & Groups section (on older Macs this appears as a separate pane; on newer ones it may be under a different label depending on your macOS version).

Key Takeaways

  • Your account name and computer name are separate settings; changing one does not change the other.
  • You must be logged in as an administrator to change either name.
  • Changing your account name does not rename your home folder automatically — you may need to do that separately if you want them to match.
  • If you forget your password or lock yourself out during the process, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key.

Steps to change your account name

Open System Settings and navigate to General. On macOS Ventura and newer, click Users & Groups (you may need to scroll down to find it). On older versions, it appears as its own pane in System Preferences. Click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your administrator password to unlock the settings.

Select your account from the list on the left. Right-click your account name and choose Edit Full Name or Advanced Options, depending on your macOS version. Type the new name you want to use. This is the name that will appear on the login screen and in most places across your Mac. Click OK or Save, then lock the settings again by clicking the lock icon.

Your Mac will ask you to restart or log out for the change to take full effect. You can do this when ready or wait until later — the change will not cause data loss or problems if you delay.

Changing your computer name on the network

Your computer name is what other devices see when you share files or appear on a network. It is separate from your account name. To change it, open System Settings, go to General, then click About. Look for the field labeled Computer Name at the top of the window. Click on it and type the new name.

Computer names can contain letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters. If you use spaces, macOS will replace them with hyphens automatically. This name change takes effect when ready and does not require a restart.

What happens to your home folder when you change your account name

When you change your account name in System Settings, your home folder keeps its old name. For example, if your account was named "John Smith" and your home folder is /Users/jsmith, changing your account name to "Jane Smith" will not rename the folder to /Users/jsmith. The folder stays as it is, and your account straightforward points to it under the new name.

If you want your home folder name to match your new account name, you must rename it manually. To do this safely, create a new administrator account first, then log into that account. Go to Finder, click Users in the sidebar, right-click your old home folder, and select Rename. Type the new name. You can then delete the temporary administrator account if you no longer need it.

Renaming your home folder is optional — your Mac will work fine if the folder name and account name do not match. Many people leave it alone to avoid potential issues with file paths or applications that reference the old folder name.

Troubleshooting if you cannot change your name

The most common reason you cannot change your account name is that you are not logged in as an administrator. If you see a locked padlock icon in System Settings and cannot unlock it, you do not have permission to make changes. Ask whoever set up your Mac to make the change for you, or log in to an administrator account.

If you have forgotten your administrator password, you can reset it using your Apple ID. Restart your Mac and hold Command + Q during startup to enter Recovery Mode. Select your account, click the question mark icon, and follow the prompts to reset your password using your Apple ID. Once you have reset it, you can log back in and change your account name.

On some older Macs, System Settings may not respond when you try to change the name. Try restarting your Mac first, then opening System Settings again. If the problem persists, restart in Safe Mode by holding Shift during startup, then attempt the change again.

When you might want to change your computer name instead

If other people on your network or in your household use your Mac, changing your account name affects only your login and your files — it does not change how the computer appears to others on the network. If you want to change what the Mac is called when it shows up in file sharing or AirDrop, change the computer name instead. This is useful if you are sharing files with coworkers or family members who see your Mac listed by its network name.

You might also change the computer name if you are setting up a new Mac and want to give it a descriptive name like "Kitchen Mac" or "Office iMac" instead of the default "MacBook Pro." The computer name has no effect on your personal files or login — it is purely for network visibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my account name delete my files or applications?

No. Changing your account name does not touch your files, applications, or settings. Everything stays where it is. Your Mac straightforward displays a new name on the login screen and in System Settings.

Can I change my account name without restarting?

macOS will ask you to restart or log out for the change to take full effect, but you can delay this. The change will not cause problems if you wait a few hours or until the next time you restart naturally.

What is the difference between account name and full name?

Your full name is what appears on the login screen and in most places on your Mac. Your account name (sometimes called the short name) is a shorter version used for file paths and network identification. Most people only need to change the full name.

If I change my account name, will my email or iCloud account change?

No. Your Apple ID, email address, and iCloud account are separate from your Mac account name. Changing your Mac account name does not affect any of those services.

Can I change my account name if I share my Mac with other users?

Yes, but you can only change the name of the account you are logged into. If you share a Mac with family members, each person can change their own account name by logging in as an administrator on their own account.