Change your account name in System Settings

To change the name that appears on your Mac login screen, open System Settings (called System Preferences on older Macs), then go to General > Users & Groups or Accounts, depending on your macOS version. Click the lock icon in the bottom left to unlock the settings — you'll need to enter your admin password. Select your account from the list on the left, then look for a field labeled Full Name or Account Name.

The Full Name is what appears on the login screen and in the top-right corner of your menu bar. The Account Name (also called the short name or username) is what the system uses behind the scenes for file paths and permissions — changing this one is more complicated and usually not necessary. Most of the time, you only need to change the Full Name.

Type your new name into the Full Name field and press Enter. The change takes effect when ready. If you're logged in as a standard user rather than an admin, you won't see the lock icon, and you can only change your own account's Full Name, not anyone else's.

Key Takeaways

  • The Full Name field in System Settings is what shows on your login screen and menu bar, and you can change it without restarting.
  • You need admin access to change any account name; standard users can only change their own Full Name.
  • The Account Name (short name) is separate from Full Name and controls file paths and system permissions — leave it alone unless you have a specific reason to change it.
  • If you change the Account Name, you may need to update file permissions and folder access, which is why most people only change the Full Name.

Why you might see the old name after restarting

If you changed your Full Name but the login screen still shows the old one after you restart, the change may not have saved properly. Go back to System Settings, unlock the settings again, and confirm the new name is actually in the Full Name field. Sometimes the field reverts if you didn't press Enter or if there was a permissions issue.

If the name changed on the login screen but not in the menu bar, restart your Mac. The menu bar updates on the next login, not when ready after the change.

Changing the Account Name (the harder option)

The Account Name is the short username your Mac uses for file paths, home folder names, and system permissions. If you change it, your home folder path changes too, which can break shortcuts, file permissions, and some applications. Apple does not provide a built-in way to rename the Account Name without potential complications.

If you absolutely must change the Account Name, the safest method is to create a new admin account, transfer your files to it, and delete the old account. This is a multi-step process: create the new account in System Settings, log into it, use Migration Assistant to move your files, then delete the old account. If you're not comfortable with this, contact Apple Support or a local Mac technician — it's one of the few Mac tasks where professional help is worth the cost.

What happens to your files and folders

Changing only the Full Name does not affect your files, folders, or home directory. Everything stays in the same place and works exactly as before. Your home folder path remains unchanged, and all your applications continue to find your files.

If you change the Account Name, however, your home folder path changes, and some applications may not find your files until you update their preferences or reinstall them. This is why changing the Account Name is rarely worth doing unless you're setting up a brand-new Mac and caught a typo before you started using it heavily.

Changing the name on someone else's account

If you're the admin on a shared Mac and need to change another person's Full Name, go to System Settings > General > Users & Groups, unlock the settings, select their account, and change the Full Name field. You cannot change their Account Name without their password, and you should not try — it requires logging in as that user or using Recovery Mode, both of which are complicated.

If the other person has forgotten their password, you can reset it from the Users & Groups panel (on newer Macs, this option may be in Accounts instead), but you still cannot change their Account Name without their cooperation.

Reverting to your old name

If you changed your Full Name and want to change it back, the process is identical: go to System Settings, unlock the settings, select your account, change the Full Name field back to what it was, and press Enter. There is no undo button, but the change is when ready and reversible at any time.

If you changed your Account Name and now regret it, you will need to either create a new account and migrate your files (the safe way) or contact Apple Support for guidance on your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my login screen name without knowing my password?

No. You need either your own password (to change your own Full Name) or an admin password (to change anyone's Full Name). If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it using your Apple ID or a recovery key, but you'll need access to one of those first.

Will changing my name affect my Apple ID or iCloud?

No. Your Apple ID and iCloud account are separate from your Mac account name. Changing your Mac login name does not change your Apple ID, and your iCloud data will sync normally. Your Apple ID remains tied to your email address, not your Mac account name.

What's the difference between Full Name and Account Name?

Full Name is what people see — it appears on the login screen and menu bar. Account Name is what the system uses behind the scenes for your home folder path and file permissions. You almost always want to change only the Full Name. The Account Name should stay the same unless you have a specific technical reason to change it.

Can I have spaces or special characters in my login name?

Yes, in the Full Name field. You can use spaces, accents, and most special characters. The Account Name, however, should contain only letters, numbers, and hyphens — avoid spaces and special characters there, as they can cause problems with file paths and some applications.

Do I need to restart my Mac after changing my name?

No, not for the Full Name. The change takes effect when ready. However, the menu bar may not update until you log out and back in or restart. The login screen will show the new name the next time you log in.