You can change Alexa's wake word, but not her name in the traditional sense
Amazon's Alexa responds to "Alexa" by default, and you can change that wake word to something else—but you cannot rename the device itself to a custom name like "Jessica" or "Kitchen Bot." The wake word is what triggers the device to start listening. You can swap it for one of four alternatives that Amazon offers, or you can use a combination of the device's location name and a category name to create a custom label that appears in your app.
The distinction matters because the wake word is what you say out loud to get the device's attention, while the device name is what shows up in the Alexa app on your phone. Changing the wake word is straightforward and takes about two minutes. Customizing how the device appears in your app is even simpler.
Key Takeaways
- You can change the wake word from "Alexa" to "Amazon," "Echo," or "Computer" using the Alexa app or through device settings.
- You cannot create a completely custom wake word—you are limited to the four options Amazon provides.
- You can rename the device in the Alexa app by changing its room location and device type, which changes how it appears in your app and voice commands.
- Changing the wake word takes effect when ready on that device only, not on other Alexa devices in your home.
- If you have multiple Alexa devices, each one can have a different wake word.
How to change the wake word through the Alexa app
Open the Alexa app on your phone and tap the Devices icon at the bottom right. Select Echo & Alexa, then choose the specific device you want to change. Scroll down and tap Wake Word. You will see four options: Alexa, Amazon, Echo, and Computer. Select the one you want and confirm. The device will restart briefly, and the new wake word takes effect when ready.
If you have an Echo Show or Echo Spot with a screen, you can also change the wake word directly on the device. Swipe down from the top of the screen, go to Settings, then Device Settings, and select Wake Word. The same four options appear, and the change happens right away.
How to change the device name in your app
The device name in the Alexa app is built from two parts: the room it is in and its device type. To change how it appears, open the Alexa app, go to Devices, select Echo & Alexa, and choose your device. Tap the settings icon (gear symbol) at the top right. Under Device Name, you will see the current name—for example, "Living Room Echo Dot."
Tap on the name field to edit it. You can change the room name (Living Room, Kitchen, Bedroom, and so on) or the device type label. When you speak a voice command, you can reference the device by this name—for instance, "Alexa, play music in the kitchen" will target the device you named "Kitchen." This name also appears in your app and in routines you create.
Why you cannot create a fully custom wake word
Amazon limits wake words to four options because Alexa's voice recognition needs to distinguish between the wake word and normal conversation. A custom word you invent might sound too similar to words you use every day, causing the device to wake up accidentally when you are not trying to talk to it. The four approved wake words—Alexa, Amazon, Echo, and Computer—were chosen because they are distinct enough to avoid false activations.
If none of the four options feels right for you, the device name workaround is the closest alternative. You can set a custom room name and refer to the device by that name in voice commands, even though the wake word itself stays as one of the four choices.
What happens when you change the wake word on one device
If you have multiple Alexa devices in your home, changing the wake word on one device does not affect the others. Each device can have its own wake word. For example, you could set your bedroom Echo to respond to "Computer" while your kitchen Echo still responds to "Alexa." This can be useful if you want to avoid triggering multiple devices at once, or if you prefer different wake words in different rooms.
When you give a voice command, only the device with the matching wake word will respond. If you say "Computer, play music" and only your bedroom Echo is set to "Computer," the kitchen Echo will not react.
Troubleshooting if the wake word does not change
If you change the wake word in the app but the device still responds to the old one, restart the device by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Make sure you are signed into the correct Amazon account in the Alexa app—if you have multiple accounts, the app might be controlling a different device than the one you are holding.
Check that your device has the latest software. Open the Alexa app, go to Devices, select your Echo device, tap the settings icon, and scroll down to About. If an update is available, the app will prompt you to install it. After updating, try changing the wake word again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the wake word to something completely custom?
No. Amazon only offers four wake word options: Alexa, Amazon, Echo, and Computer. You cannot create a custom wake word. However, you can customize the device name in the app and use that name in voice commands to reference the device.
If I change the wake word, will other people in my home hear the change?
Yes. Everyone in your home will need to use the new wake word to talk to that device. If you change the bedroom Echo from "Alexa" to "Computer," anyone trying to use it will have to say "Computer" instead. You may want to let household members know about the change.
Can I have different wake words on different Alexa devices?
Yes. Each device can have its own wake word. You could set your living room Echo to "Alexa," your kitchen Echo to "Amazon," and your bedroom Echo to "Computer." Only the device with the matching wake word will respond to that command.
What if I want to change the wake word back to Alexa?
Open the Alexa app, go to Devices, select your Echo, tap Wake Word, and choose "Alexa" again. The change takes effect when ready. There is no limit to how many times you can switch between the four options.
Does changing the device name change what I say to talk to it?
The device name affects how you reference it in commands, but the wake word is what starts the listening. If your device is named "Kitchen Echo" and the wake word is "Alexa," you would say "Alexa, play music in the kitchen" or just "Alexa, play music" if it is the only device in that room.