Rename Alexa through the Alexa app on your phone
The fastest way to change your Alexa device's name is through the Alexa mobile app. Open the app on your phone, tap the Devices icon at the bottom right, select Echo & Alexa, and choose the device you want to rename. Tap the settings gear icon in the top right corner of that device's page.
Scroll down to find Device Name and tap it. Type the new name you want — you can use a single word like "Kitchen" or a phrase like "Living Room Echo" — then tap Save. The change takes effect when ready, and you can start using the new name right away. Alexa will recognize the new name within seconds of saving it.
Key Takeaways
- You can rename any Alexa device through the Alexa app by going to Devices, selecting your Echo, tapping settings, and changing the Device Name field.
- Custom names can be a single word or a short phrase, and Alexa will respond to voice commands using the new name within seconds.
- If you have multiple Alexa devices, renaming them helps you control the right speaker when you give voice commands like "Alexa, play music in the bedroom."
- The web version of Alexa at alexa.amazon.com also lets you rename devices if you prefer not to use the mobile app.
- Renaming a device does not affect your passwords, music libraries, routines, or any other settings tied to your Amazon account.
Use the web version if you don't have the app
If you prefer to rename your device from a computer, go to alexa.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon account. Click Devices in the left sidebar, then select Echo & Alexa.
Find the device you want to rename in the list and click on it. Look for the Device Name field, type your new name, and click Save. The process is identical to the mobile app, just on a larger screen. The web version works on any browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge — and the change syncs to your mobile app and all your Alexa devices within seconds.
What names work best for voice commands
Alexa responds to any name you give it, but some names work better than others for voice control. Single-word names like "Kitchen," "Bedroom," or "Office" are easiest for Alexa to recognize when you're speaking across a room. Two-word names like "Living Room" or "Front Door" also work well and are still reliable for voice recognition.
Avoid names that sound similar to Alexa's wake word or to other commands you use frequently. Names with numbers or special characters may not work reliably with voice commands, so stick to standard letters and spaces. If you rename a device and Alexa seems to misunderstand the new name, try a different one — the app lets you change it as many times as you want at no cost.
Renaming helps when you have multiple devices
If you own more than one Alexa device, renaming each one tells Alexa which speaker you want to control. Without distinct names, Alexa may not know whether you want music in the kitchen or the bedroom when you give a command. This is especially important if your devices are in the same room or close to each other.
Use location-based names for the clearest results: "Kitchen Echo," "Bedroom Echo," "Living Room Echo," or just the room name alone. You can also name devices by their function — "Front Door," "Garage," or "Office" — if that matches how you actually speak to them. Once renamed, you can say things like "Alexa, play jazz in the kitchen" and Alexa will send the music to that specific device instead of the nearest one.
Changing the name doesn't affect your account or settings
Renaming a device only changes what you call it — it doesn't reset your passwords, delete your music libraries, or change any other settings. Your routines, smart home connections, shopping lists, and all other data tied to that device stay exactly as they were.
If you ever want to change the name again, just follow the same steps through the app or web version. There's no limit to how many times you can rename a device, and the change happens when ready across all your Alexa services. You can rename a device as often as you want without any penalty or delay.
How to update routines and commands after renaming
If you had routines or smart home automations set up using the old device name, you may need to update those to use the new name. For example, if you had a routine that said "Alexa, goodnight bedroom" and you renamed the device from "Bedroom" to "Master Bedroom," the old routine may not work correctly.
To fix this, open the Alexa app, go to Routines, and find any routine that mentions the old device name. Tap Edit, update the device name to the new one, and save. This takes only a minute per routine and ensures your automations work as intended with the new device name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I name my Alexa device something other than "Alexa"?
Yes. You can name it anything you want in the app settings. However, "Alexa" is the wake word that activates the device, so you'll still need to say "Alexa" to get its attention before giving a command. The custom name is what you use in commands after that — for example, "Alexa, play music in the kitchen" if your device is named "Kitchen."
Will Alexa respond to the old name after I change it?
No. Once you save the new name in the app, Alexa stops responding to the old one. If you had routines or smart home commands set up using the old device name, you may need to update those to use the new name so they continue to work correctly.
What if I change the name and Alexa doesn't recognize it?
Try a simpler name with fewer syllables or fewer words. Single-word names like "Kitchen" or "Bedroom" are most reliable for voice recognition. If a two-word name isn't working, go back to the app and try a different one — the change takes effect when ready.
Can I rename my Alexa device from the device itself?
No. You must use either the Alexa mobile app or the web version at alexa.amazon.com. There's no way to rename a device through the Echo's physical buttons or voice commands alone.
Does renaming a device change which Amazon account it's connected to?
No. Renaming only changes the device's display name. It stays connected to the same Amazon account and keeps all its settings, music libraries, and smart home connections intact.