Change your display name in three steps

Your display name on Twitter is what appears above your posts and in search results — it is separate from your username (the @handle). You can change it anytime without losing your account, followers, or history. The process takes less than a minute.

Go to your profile by clicking your avatar in the top left corner, then select "Settings and privacy". Choose "Account" from the menu on the left. Under "Account information", you will see "Name" with your current display name. Click on it, delete the old name, type your new one, and click "Save".

Twitter allows up to 50 characters for a display name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and some symbols. The change takes effect when ready across your entire account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what shows above your tweets and is different from your @username, which you cannot change as often.
  • Display name changes happen when ready and do not affect your followers, tweets, or account history.
  • You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes.
  • Twitter allows up to 50 characters, including spaces and some symbols, but not emoji in the display name field.

Where to find the name field on mobile

On the Twitter mobile app, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap "Profile". Tap the edit button (pencil icon) in the top right corner of your profile header. You will see the "Name" field at the top of the edit screen. Tap it, clear the current text, type your new name, and tap "Save" at the bottom.

The mobile process is the same whether you use iPhone or Android. Your new name syncs across all devices within seconds.

Changing your username (@handle) is different and slower

Your username — the @handle that appears in your profile URL — is not the same as your display name. You can change your username, but Twitter limits how often you can do it. If you changed your username in the past 30 days, you must wait until 30 days have passed since that change before you can pick a new one.

To change your username, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information > Username. Type a new username (it must be between 4 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and not be already taken). Click "Save".

When you change your username, your old @handle becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days. Your old profile URL will not work anymore, so if you have shared links to your profile elsewhere, those links will break.

What happens to your old name

When you change your display name, nothing happens to your account. Your followers stay, your tweets stay, and your history stays exactly as it was. People who were following you will continue to follow you under your new name.

If someone searches for your old display name, they will not find your account — they will only find your account if they search for your new name or your @username. This is different from changing your username, which has a 30-day waiting period and makes your old @handle available to others.

Reasons to change your display name versus your username

Change your display name if you want a quick rebrand, a nickname, or a professional name change. There is no waiting period and no consequences. You can do it as often as you want.

Change your username only if you need to change your @handle itself — for example, if your current @handle no longer matches your brand or you want to move to a shorter one. Remember that you can only change it once every 30 days, and your old @handle will be claimable by others after 30 days.

If your name change does not save

If you click "Save" and your new name does not appear, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the change takes a few seconds to sync across Twitter's servers.

If the problem continues, clear your browser cache or try a different browser. On mobile, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If you are still unable to save a name change after trying these steps, the issue may be a temporary server problem on Twitter's end — wait a few minutes and try again.

If you see an error message saying your name contains banned words or characters, Twitter has flagged something in your text. Remove any symbols or words that might trigger the filter and try again with a simpler name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can use some symbols like hyphens, periods, and apostrophes, but not emoji. If you try to paste emoji into the name field, Twitter will reject the change. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and basic punctuation.

Will changing my name affect my verified badge?

No. If your account has a verified badge, it stays with your account regardless of what name you use. The badge is tied to your account, not your display name.

How many times can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. Unlike your username, there is no 30-day limit. You could change it daily if you wanted to.

What is the character limit for a display name?

Twitter allows up to 50 characters for your display name. This includes spaces and punctuation. If you try to type more than 50 characters, the extra text will not save.

If I change my name, will my old tweets show my new name or my old name?

All your old tweets will show your new display name. Twitter does not keep a record of your old names on individual tweets — when you change your name, it updates everywhere on your profile and timeline.