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 entire account. Your username (the @handle) is separate from your display name — this guide covers changing your display name, which is what appears above your posts and on your profile.

Twitter does not limit how many times you can change your display name, and you can revert to a previous name at any time. The process takes less than a minute and requires no verification or approval from Twitter.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what shows on your profile) is different from your username (@handle), and you change them in different places.
  • Display name changes happen when ready and do not require Twitter to review or approve them.
  • You can change your display name as often as you want, including back to a name you used before.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your followers, messages, or any of your posts.

Steps to change your display name on desktop

Start by logging into Twitter on your computer. In the top left corner, you will see your profile picture. Click it to open a menu, then select "Settings and privacy."

On the left side of the screen, click "Account." Scroll down until you see "Account information" and click it. You will see a field labeled "Name" with your current display name in it. Click inside that field, delete the old name, and type your new one. Twitter allows up to 50 characters, including spaces and special characters. When you are done typing, click outside the field or press Enter — the change saves automatically.

Steps to change your display name on your phone

Open the Twitter app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on Android) or top left corner (on iPhone). Tap "Settings and privacy," then "Settings."

Scroll down and tap "Account." Tap "Account information." You will see the "Name" field at the top. Tap it, clear the current text, and type your new name. Tap outside the field when you are finished — the change saves right away. On both iPhone and Android, the process is identical from this point forward.

What happens when you change your display name

Your new name appears on your profile, in replies, and above all your tweets within seconds. Anyone who visits your profile will see the updated name when ready. Your followers do not receive a notification that you changed your name, but they will see it the next time they visit your profile or see one of your posts.

Your username — the @handle that starts with an @ symbol — does not change. If people have you bookmarked or saved a link to your profile, those links still work. Your direct messages, followers, and all your tweets remain exactly as they were.

Changing your username instead of your display name

If you want to change your @handle (your username), the process is different. Go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Account information." Look for the field labeled "Username" — this is separate from the "Name" field. Click or tap it and type a new username. Twitter will check whether that username is available. If it is, you can claim it when ready. If someone else has it, you will need to choose a different one.

You can change your username once every 30 days. When you change it, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days. Your profile link changes, so old bookmarks and shared links will no longer work, but your followers and messages stay with you.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is confusing your display name with your username. Your display name is what you see in the "Name" field and can be anything — "Sarah Johnson," "The Coffee Poet," "Marketing Team." Your username is the @handle and follows different rules. If you change the wrong field, you will change the wrong thing.

Another mistake is thinking you need to wait for approval. Display name changes are when ready and do not require Twitter to review them. If you typed the new name and clicked outside the field, it is already live. Do not refresh the page or close the app thinking the change did not work — it did.

Reverting to a previous display name

If you change your mind, you can change your display name back to what it was before. Go through the same steps — click "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Account information," and edit the "Name" field. Type the old name you want to use and save it. There is no limit to how many times you can do this, and Twitter does not track or restrict reverting to previous names.

If you changed your username (not your display name) and want to go back, you can reclaim your old username as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. You have 30 days after changing your username before it becomes available to others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my followers see that I changed my name?

Your followers will not get a notification about the change. They will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see one of your posts. If they have you muted or do not follow your activity closely, they may not notice for a while.

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

Yes. Twitter allows letters, numbers, spaces, and special characters including emojis in your display name. The limit is 50 characters total. Your username (@handle) has stricter rules — it can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.

What if the name I want is already taken?

If you are trying to change your username (@handle) and someone else has it, you cannot use it. You will need to choose a different username. Display names do not have this restriction — multiple people can have the same display name.

How long does it take for the name change to show up everywhere?

Display name changes appear when ready on your profile and in new posts. If you are looking at cached or old pages, you may see the old name briefly, but refreshing the page will show the new one. There is no delay on Twitter's end.

Can I change my display name if my account is suspended or locked?

No. You cannot access account settings while your account is suspended or locked. You will need to resolve the suspension or unlock your account first through Twitter's support process.