You can change your display name on Twitter whenever you want, and it takes less than a minute

Your display name — the name that appears on your profile and next to your posts — is separate from your username (the @handle). Twitter lets you change your display name as many times as you want, with no waiting period or restrictions. The change takes effect when ready across the platform.

Your username, by contrast, is harder to change. You can modify it, but only once every 30 days, and only if the new username is not already taken. This guide covers changing your display name, which is what most people mean when they ask how to change their name on Twitter.

Key Takeaways

  • Display name changes happen when ready and have no limit on how often you can make them.
  • You change your display name in Settings and Privacy, under Account, then Your Account Information.
  • Your username (@handle) can only be changed once every 30 days and must not already be taken by another account.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your followers, messages, or any of your posts.
  • If you want to change your username, you must wait 30 days after your last change before trying again.

How to change your display name on Twitter

Open Twitter and tap or click the three-dot menu in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy. From there, go to Account, then Your Account Information. You will see a field labeled Name — this is your display name. Click or tap into that field, delete the current name, type your new name, and click Save.

The change appears on your profile and next to all your posts within seconds. Anyone who follows you will see the new name the next time they refresh their feed or visit your profile. Your old posts do not change — they straightforward show your new name going forward.

You can use spaces, numbers, and most punctuation in your display name. Twitter does not restrict how many times you change it or how often you change it. If you change your mind, you can change it back the same way.

Changing your username is slower and has limits

Your username — the @handle that appears in your profile URL and in mentions — follows different rules. You can change it, but only once every 30 days. If you changed your username on January 15, you cannot change it again until February 14.

The new username must not already be taken. If the username you want belongs to another account, you cannot use it. Usernames are case-insensitive, so @JohnSmith and @johnsmith are the same account.

To change your username, go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Your Account Information and look for the Username field. Type the new username you want (without the @ symbol), and click Save. If the username is available, the change takes effect when ready. If it is taken, Twitter will tell you and ask you to choose a different one.

What happens to your account when you change your name

Changing your display name does not affect your followers, the people you follow, your direct messages, or any of your posts. Your follower count stays the same. Your posts stay in place with their likes and retweets intact. Anyone who has bookmarked your tweets can still find them.

If you change your username, the same applies — your followers and posts do not go anywhere. However, any links to your old username will no longer work. If someone bookmarked a link to your profile using your old @handle, that link will break. Your new username becomes the only way to reach your profile by URL.

People who mentioned you using your old username will still see those mentions in their post history, but the mention will no longer be a clickable link to your profile.

When you might want to change your display name versus your username

Change your display name if you want to update how your name appears without affecting your profile URL or mentions. This is useful if you got married, go by a nickname, or want to rebrand yourself while keeping the same @handle that people know you by.

Change your username if you want a completely fresh identity or if your current @handle no longer fits who you are. Keep in mind that anyone who has shared links to your profile will need to update those links, and you will have to wait 30 days before changing it again if you change your mind.

Many people keep the same username for years to avoid breaking old links and making it hard for people to find them. They change their display name instead whenever they want a new look.

Troubleshooting name changes that do not work

If you try to change your name and nothing happens, refresh the page and try again. Sometimes Twitter's interface lags. If the problem persists, try logging out and logging back in, then returning to Settings and Privacy.

If you are trying to change your username and Twitter says it is unavailable, the username is already taken. You cannot reserve a username or put your name on a waiting list. You will have to choose a different username or wait to see if the account holding that username becomes inactive (though Twitter does not delete inactive accounts automatically, so this is not reliable).

If you see an error message saying you have changed your username too recently, you have hit the 30-day limit. Check when you last changed it — you will be able to change it again 30 days after that date.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your display name. You can change it back whenever you want. If you are changing your username back, you still have to wait 30 days from your last username change.

Will my followers see my old name if they do not refresh their feed?

No. Once you change your display name, it updates everywhere almost when ready. Your followers will see the new name the next time they load Twitter, even if they do not manually refresh.

What if someone else takes the username I want to change to?

You cannot use a username that is already taken. If you want a specific @handle and someone else has it, you will have to choose a different one or wait to see if that account becomes inactive. Twitter does not have a way to request or reserve usernames.

Does changing my name affect my verification badge?

No. If your account is verified (has a blue checkmark), the badge stays with your account no matter how many times you change your display name or username. The verification is tied to your account, not your name.

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

Yes. You can use spaces, numbers, punctuation, and emojis in your display name. Twitter does not restrict these. Your username (@handle), however, can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.