Change your display name in Settings on X

Your display name — the text that appears above your username — can be changed anytime from your account settings. Open X in a browser or app, tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner, then select Settings and privacy. Go to Account, then Account information, and you will see your display name field at the top. Click or tap it, delete the current name, type your new one, and click Save. The change takes effect when ready across your profile and all your posts.

You can use up to 50 characters for your display name, including spaces and most punctuation. Unlike your username (the @handle), your display name does not have to be unique — multiple accounts can have the same display name. X does not restrict what you put there, though your account may be flagged if the name violates X's terms of service, such as impersonating a public figure or organization without clear satire markers.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is changed through Settings and privacy > Account > Account information, and the change shows up when ready.
  • Display names can be up to 50 characters long and do not have to be unique across X.
  • You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period between changes.
  • Your username (@handle) is separate from your display name and follows different rules for uniqueness and permanence.

Where to find the display name field

On the X website, log in and click your profile picture in the top left corner. A menu drops down with several options. Select Settings and privacy — it is near the bottom of that menu. You will land on the Settings page, which defaults to the Your account section on the left sidebar.

Click Account information in that sidebar. The page that opens shows your display name field first, followed by your username, email, and phone number. The display name field is editable — click inside it and you can type or paste a new name. Once you have entered what you want, scroll down and click the Save button. If you are on the X mobile app, the path is the same: profile picture > Settings and privacy > Account > Account information.

What happens when you change your display name

The new name appears on your profile page, in your posts, in replies, and in your followers' feeds within seconds. Anyone who follows you will see the updated name the next time they refresh their feed or open the app. Your old display name does not appear anywhere — X does not keep a public record of previous display names the way it does for usernames.

Changing your display name does not affect your username, your follower count, your posts, or any other account data. Your posts remain linked to your account under the new name. Direct messages and conversations you had under your old display name will show the new name when viewed later, because X updates the display name retroactively across the platform.

Display name versus username: what is the difference

Your display name is what people see and read — it can be anything, change anytime, and does not have to be unique. Your username is your @handle, the permanent identifier that appears in your profile URL and in mentions. Usernames are unique to each account, can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores, and are much harder to change.

For example, you might have the username @sarah_okafor but a display name of "Sarah Okafor" or "Sarah | Tech Writer" or "🔧 Sarah" — all of those are valid display names. When someone mentions you in a post, they use your username (@sarah_okafor), but when they see your profile or read your posts, they see your display name first. Changing your display name does not change how people mention you or tag you.

Changing your username instead

If you want to change your @handle instead of your display name, the process is similar but the rules are stricter. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information, but this time click on the username field instead of the display name field. You can change your username once every 30 days. The new username must be between 4 and 15 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and not already be taken by another account.

When you change your username, your old @handle becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Any links to your old profile URL will not work, and mentions using your old username will not tag you anymore. For that reason, changing your username is riskier than changing your display name — it can break links and confuse people who knew you by the old handle.

Troubleshooting display name changes

If you click Save and the change does not appear, refresh the page or close and reopen the app. Sometimes X takes a few seconds to sync the change across its servers. If the page shows an error message, check that your display name does not contain characters X blocks — though X allows most punctuation, some special characters may cause issues. Try removing emojis or unusual symbols and saving again.

If your account was recently suspended or flagged, X may temporarily prevent you from changing your display name. In that case, you will see a message explaining the restriction. If you believe the restriction is wrong, you can appeal through X's support form, though response times vary. For most users, display name changes go through when ready with no errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit to how often you can change your display name, and you can revert to an old name anytime. X does not prevent you from using a name you have used in the past, even if you changed away from it weeks or months ago.

Will changing my display name affect my followers or my posts?

No. Your follower count stays the same, your posts remain on your profile, and all your account data is unchanged. The only thing that updates is the name that appears next to your username on your profile and in your posts.

What is the character limit for a display name?

Your display name can be up to 50 characters long, including spaces and punctuation. This gives you room for a full name, a name plus a title or emoji, or a short phrase.

Can two people have the same display name?

Yes. Display names do not have to be unique on X. Many accounts can share the same display name, though they will always have different usernames. This is different from usernames, which must be unique.

How long does it take for my new display name to show up?

Your new display name appears on your profile and in your posts within seconds of clicking Save. Other users will see it the next time they refresh their feed or open the app, usually within a few seconds to a minute.