Change your Twitter name from your account settings

To change your Twitter name, open Twitter on your phone or computer, go to your account settings, find the "Account information" section, and edit the name field. The change takes effect when ready across your profile, timeline, and replies. You can change it as often as you want — Twitter does not limit how many times you update it.

Your Twitter name (also called your display name) is different from your handle, which is the @username that appears in your profile URL. Changing your name does not change your handle, and other users can still find you by your original handle even after you change the name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Twitter name is the text that appears at the top of your profile and next to your posts; it is separate from your @handle.
  • You can change your name from Account settings > Account information > Name, and the change shows up when ready.
  • Twitter allows you to change your name as many times as you want with no waiting period or limit.
  • If you change your name frequently, people who follow you may not recognize posts from your account until they check your profile.
  • Your handle stays the same no matter how many times you change your name, so people can still find you by your original @username.

Step-by-step: changing your name on the Twitter app

On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings." Tap "Account," then tap "Account information." Tap the "Name" field, delete the current text, type your new name, and tap "Save."

The new name appears on your profile and in your timeline when ready. Anyone who visits your profile will see the updated name, and your new name will show next to any posts you make from that point forward.

Step-by-step: changing your name on the Twitter website

Log in to Twitter.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and click "Settings and privacy." Click "Settings," then click "Account" in the left sidebar. Click "Account information," then click the "Name" field. Delete the current text, type your new name, and click "Save."

The change takes effect when ready. Your profile page, your posts, and your replies will all display the new name right away.

What happens to your old name when you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and is no longer associated with your account. People cannot search for you by your old name, though they can still find you by your @handle. If you had a well-known name and want to keep using it, consider changing your handle instead — but handle changes are more disruptive because they change your profile URL.

If you change your name frequently, people who follow you may see posts from an unfamiliar name in their timeline. They can click on the post to see your profile and confirm it is you, but rapid name changes can make your account harder to recognize at a glance.

Name length and character limits

Twitter allows up to 50 characters in your display name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Emojis are allowed and count as one character each. Twitter does not restrict what words you can use in your name, though your name must follow Twitter's rules against impersonation — you cannot use a name designed to deceive people into thinking you are someone else.

If you try to save a name that is longer than 50 characters, Twitter will show an error message and ask you to shorten it before you can proceed.

Changing your handle instead of your name

If you want to change your @username (handle) rather than your display name, go to Account information and look for the "Username" field instead of "Name." Changing your handle changes your profile URL, so any links to your old profile will no longer work. People who have bookmarked your profile or shared links to it will end up at a broken page.

For this reason, changing your handle is more disruptive than changing your name. If you are known by a particular handle, keep it and change your display name instead. If you must change your handle, give people time to update their bookmarks and links, and consider posting an announcement before you make the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no restriction on changing your name back to a previous version. You can change your name as many times as you want, and Twitter does not keep a public record of your old names. Only you can see your name history in your account settings.

Will changing my name affect my followers or my tweets?

No. Your followers stay with you, and all your old tweets remain on your account. The only thing that changes is the name that appears next to your posts and on your profile. Your follower count, your tweet history, and your @handle all stay exactly the same.

What if someone else takes the name I just changed from?

Once you change your name, it becomes available for anyone else to use. If you think you might want to use that name again, do not change it. If someone else takes it, you cannot reclaim it — you would have to ask them to change their name, which they are not required to do.

Does changing my name affect my Twitter handle or profile URL?

No. Your @handle and profile URL stay the same no matter how many times you change your display name. People can still find you by your original @username, and any links to your profile will continue to work.