You cannot change the actual Gmail address itself, but you can change the name that appears when you send mail
Google does not let you alter the username part of your Gmail address — the part before @gmail.com. That address is permanent once created. However, you can change the display name that recipients see when you send them an email. If your Gmail address is jane.smith.1987@gmail.com but you want emails to show as coming from "Jane Smith" instead of your full address, you can do that in settings.
If you genuinely need a different Gmail address — one with a completely different username — you will need to create a new Gmail account. You can then forward mail from the old address to the new one, or set up both addresses in the same inbox so you can send from either one.
Key Takeaways
- The Gmail address itself (username@gmail.com) cannot be changed once created, but the display name that shows in recipients' inboxes can be edited in account settings.
- To change your display name, go to Gmail settings, find the "From" field under the Accounts tab, and type the name you want to appear on outgoing mail.
- If you need a completely different Gmail address, create a new account and use Gmail's forwarding and multiple-account features to manage both addresses from one inbox.
- Changing your display name takes effect when ready on new emails but does not change your actual Gmail address or how you sign in.
How to change the name that appears on your emails
Open Gmail in your web browser and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select "See all settings." Click the "Accounts and Import" tab at the top of the page. Under the section labeled "Send mail as," you will see your current Gmail address. Click "Edit info" next to it.
A small window will pop up showing a field labeled "Name." Delete whatever is currently there and type the name you want recipients to see. You can use your full name, a nickname, a business name, or anything else. Click "Save changes" at the bottom. The new name will appear on all emails you send from that point forward.
This change is when ready and does not affect your login credentials or your actual Gmail address. People will still reply to your Gmail address — the display name is only what shows in their inbox when they receive your message.
Creating a new Gmail address if you need a different username
If you need an entirely different Gmail address with a new username, you will need to create a separate Google account. Go to accounts.google.com and click "Create account." Follow the steps to set up a new Gmail address with whatever username you prefer. Keep in mind that Gmail usernames are first-come, first-served, so popular names may already be taken.
Once you have created the new account, you can set up forwarding so emails sent to your old address automatically go to your new one. In your old Gmail account, go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP, click "Add a forwarding address," and enter your new Gmail address. Google will send a confirmation email to the new address — open it and confirm the forwarding. After that, every email arriving at the old address will also appear in the new one.
Managing two Gmail addresses from one inbox
If you want to keep both addresses active and send from either one, you can add your new Gmail account to the same inbox. In your primary Gmail account, go to Settings > Accounts and Import > "Add another email address you own." Enter your new Gmail address and follow the verification steps. Google will send a confirmation code to the new address.
Once verified, you will see both addresses listed under "Send mail as" in your settings. When you compose a new email, a dropdown menu will let you choose which address to send from. This setup is useful if you are transitioning to a new address gradually or if you need to maintain separate addresses for different purposes but want to manage them in one place.
What happens to your old Gmail address
Your original Gmail address does not disappear or become inactive just because you create a new one. It will continue to receive mail unless you delete the account entirely. If you set up forwarding, incoming mail still arrives at the old address first, then a copy goes to the new one. You can access the old account anytime by signing in with its username and password.
If you decide you no longer want the old address, you can delete the Google account through your account settings. Be aware that deleting an account is permanent — you cannot recover the address or any emails in it afterward. If there is any chance you might need access to old emails, keep the account active even if you stop using it for new mail.
Why Gmail does not let you change your address
Gmail addresses are tied to your Google account and serve as your login username. Changing the address would mean changing your login credentials, which would break access to all other Google services linked to that account — YouTube, Google Drive, Google Photos, and any third-party apps that use your Google login. Keeping the address permanent prevents that kind of disruption.
The display name feature exists specifically to give you flexibility without the technical complications of changing your actual address. For most people, changing the display name solves the problem — they want their real name or a professional name to appear on emails, not their Gmail username.
Common mistakes when trying to change your Gmail address
The most common mistake is looking for a "change email" button that does not exist. People often search through settings expecting to find a direct way to alter the address itself. Instead, look for the display name field under "Send mail as" — that is the only part of your Gmail address you can modify.
Another mistake is creating a new Gmail account without setting up forwarding first. If you create a new address and stop checking the old one, you may miss important emails. Set up forwarding or add the new address to your current inbox before you stop using the old one. That way you will not lose any mail during the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Gmail address to something completely different?
No, the username part of your Gmail address is permanent. However, you can create a new Gmail account with a different username and set up forwarding so emails from the old address go to the new one. You can also add both addresses to the same inbox and send from either one.
If I change my display name, will it affect my password or how I sign in?
No. Changing your display name does not change your login credentials at all. You will still sign in with your Gmail address and password exactly as before. The display name only affects what people see when you send them an email.
What if someone already has the Gmail address I want?
Gmail usernames are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. If the address you want is taken, you will need to choose a different one. You can try variations like adding numbers, periods, or underscores to make a unique username.
Can I delete my old Gmail address and get a new one with the same name later?
Once you delete a Gmail account, the address is gone permanently and cannot be reused — not by you or anyone else. If you think you might want to use an address again in the future, keep the account active instead of deleting it.
Do I need to tell people my new Gmail address if I create one?
If you set up forwarding, people can keep using your old address and their emails will reach you. If you want them to use the new address instead, you will need to let them know. You can send a message from your new address to your contacts explaining the change.