Change your Instagram name in the app or on the web in under a minute

You can change the name that appears on your Instagram profile — called your display name — at any time, from either the Instagram app or a web browser. The display name is what other users see when they visit your profile; it is separate from your username (the handle with the @ symbol). Instagram does not limit how many times you can change your display name, and the change takes effect when ready across all devices.

The process is the same whether you use iPhone, Android, or a computer. You need access to the account and a few seconds to navigate to your profile settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name and your username are different — you can change your display name as often as you want, but usernames have stricter limits.
  • On the app, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Name, and type the new name you want.
  • On the web, click your profile picture in the bottom left, select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Name, and save your change.
  • The new name appears on your profile when ready, but it may take a few minutes to update everywhere else on Instagram.
  • You can use spaces, numbers, and most special characters in your display name, unlike your username.

Steps to change your name on the Instagram app

Open the Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of your profile. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy.

From the Settings and privacy menu, tap Account. Then tap Name. You will see a text field with your current display name. Delete the old name and type the new one you want. Tap Done (on iPhone) or the back arrow (on Android). Your new name is now live on your profile.

Steps to change your name on Instagram.com

Log into Instagram on a web browser and click your profile picture in the bottom left corner of the screen. Click Settings and privacy from the menu that appears. Click Account, then click Name.

The Name field will open. Clear the current text and type your new display name. Click outside the field or press Enter to save. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up in all places where your name appears on the platform.

What characters and length limits explore to display names

Instagram allows up to 30 characters in your display name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, underscores, and most other punctuation marks. This is much more flexible than your username, which can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — and no spaces.

You can change your display name to anything you want, including your real name, a nickname, a business name, or a creative phrase. There is no waiting period between changes, so you can update it as often as you like.

The difference between display name and username

Your display name is what people see at the top of your profile and next to your posts. Your username is the handle people use to tag you or search for you — it starts with @. You can change your display name when ready and as many times as you want. Your username has more restrictions: you can change it once every 14 days, and it can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.

If you want to change your username instead of your display name, go to Settings and privacy, tap Account, tap Username, and enter a new one. The 14-day waiting period applies only if you have changed your username before.

How long the change takes to appear everywhere

Your new display name appears on your profile when ready after you save it. However, it may take a few minutes to update in other places — such as in comments you have posted, in your followers' feeds, or in search results. This delay is normal and usually clears within five to ten minutes.

If you do not see the change after fifteen minutes, try logging out and logging back in, or closing and reopening the app. Refreshing your browser page will also force Instagram to load the latest version of your profile.

Changing your name on a business or creator account

The process is identical for business accounts, creator accounts, and personal accounts. Go to Settings and privacy, select Account, tap or click Name, and enter your new display name. Business accounts may want to use their brand name or business name as the display name while keeping a branded username.

If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, you will need to log into each one separately and change the display name for each account individually. There is no way to change the name on all your accounts at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can use most special characters like hyphens, underscores, periods, and parentheses. Emojis are not supported in display names — Instagram will remove them if you try to save them. Stick to standard keyboard characters for the best results.

What happens to my old posts when I change my name?

Your old posts will show your new display name once the change updates across Instagram. The posts themselves do not change — only the name that appears next to them. People who saw your posts under your old name will see the new name the next time they view those posts.

How often can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. This is different from your username, which has a 14-day waiting period between changes. If you want to experiment with different names, you can do so freely with your display name.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

Instagram does not send a notification to your followers when you change your display name. They will straightforward see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts. There is no announcement or alert about the change.

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

Yes. You can change your display name back to any previous name at any time. There is no restriction on reverting to an old name, and you can do it when ready without waiting.