Change your YouTube channel name from your account settings

To change your YouTube channel name, sign into your Google Account, go to YouTube Studio, and select "Settings" from the left menu. Click "Channel" and then "Basic info". The channel name field is at the top — edit it to whatever you want, then click "Publish" to save the change. The new name appears across YouTube within minutes.

You can change your channel name as many times as you want, and there is no waiting period between changes. The name you choose does not have to match your Google Account name — they are separate. Your channel URL (the link people use to find you) stays the same even after you change the name, so existing subscribers and links to your channel keep working.

If you cannot find the Basic info section, make sure you are in YouTube Studio, not the older YouTube Creator Studio. YouTube Studio is the current version and is what most creators see when they sign in.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign into YouTube Studio, go to Settings, click Channel, then Basic info to find the channel name field.
  • Type your new name and click Publish — the change takes effect within minutes across all of YouTube.
  • You can change your channel name as often as you want with no restrictions or cooldown period.
  • Your channel URL and subscriber list do not change when you rename, so people can still find you the same way.
  • Your YouTube channel name is separate from your Google Account name and can be different from it.

What happens to your channel URL and subscriber count

Your channel URL — the web address people visit to watch your videos — does not change when you rename your channel. If your URL is youtube.com/@youroldname, it stays that way even after you change the display name to something new. Subscribers see the new name, but the link they bookmarked or shared still works.

Your subscriber count, video history, and all uploaded content stay exactly as they are. Renaming your channel does not affect any of that. People who have subscribed to you will see the new name the next time they visit your channel or their subscription feed.

Renaming a channel linked to a Google Business Profile

If your YouTube channel is connected to a Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), changing your channel name may also change the name that appears on your business profile. This happens because the two accounts are linked.

To avoid changing your business profile name by accident, go to your Google Business Profile settings before you rename your YouTube channel. You can unlink the accounts there, rename your YouTube channel separately, and then relink them if you want. This gives you control over what name appears where.

Changing a channel name on a brand account

If you manage a brand account (a YouTube account created specifically for a channel rather than tied to a personal Google Account), the process is the same: YouTube Studio, Settings, Channel, Basic info. The name field works the same way.

Brand accounts are useful if multiple people need to manage a channel, because you can add other Google Accounts as managers without giving them access to your personal email or other Google services. The channel name change applies to the brand account itself and shows up the same way as a personal channel rename.

Things to know before you rename

YouTube does not restrict what characters you can use in a channel name, but some symbols may not display correctly on all devices. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks like hyphens and apostrophes if you want the name to look the same everywhere.

If you are worried about losing your audience, remember that your channel URL stays the same and your subscriber list does not change. People who follow you will see the new name, but they will still be subscribed. If you have a large audience and want to warn them about the change, you can post a community post or upload a short video mentioning the new name.

There is no way to reserve a channel name before you create the channel, and YouTube does not hold names for inactive channels. If you see a name you want, you can only get it by creating a channel with that name or by renaming an existing channel you own to that name.

Troubleshooting: why your channel name change is not working

If you click Publish and the name does not save, check that you are signed into the correct Google Account. Some people manage multiple YouTube channels and accidentally try to rename a channel they do not have permission to edit. Sign out and sign back in with the account that owns the channel you want to rename.

If the Publish button is grayed out or not responding, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser cache. YouTube Studio sometimes needs a fresh load to register changes. If that does not work, try a different browser or device to see if the problem is specific to your setup.

If you see an error message saying the name is unavailable or violates YouTube's policies, the name you chose may contain words YouTube flags automatically, or it may be too similar to another channel. Try a different name. YouTube's restrictions on channel names are rare, but they do exist for names that impersonate other creators or contain certain prohibited content.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your channel name. If you rename your channel and then want to go back to the old name, you can change it again the same way. The old name is not reserved for you, so if someone else created a channel with that name in the meantime, you will not be able to use it again.

Does changing my channel name affect my YouTube earnings or monetization?

No. Your YouTube Partner Program status, ad revenue, and all monetization settings stay the same when you rename your channel. The change is cosmetic and does not touch any of the backend systems that handle payments or account standing.

What if I want a different channel URL, not just a different display name?

Your channel URL is separate from your display name and cannot be changed once it is set. If you want a completely different URL, you would need to create a new channel. However, most people do not need to do this — the display name is what viewers see, and the URL is just the web address.

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

YouTube allows most special characters and emojis in channel names, but they may not display the same way on all devices or in all contexts. Stick to standard letters, numbers, and common punctuation if you want the name to look consistent everywhere. Test how it looks on a phone and a computer before you finalize it.

Will my channel name change affect my Google Account name or email address?

No. Your YouTube channel name and your Google Account name are separate. Changing one does not change the other. Your email address is tied to your Google Account and never changes when you rename a YouTube channel.