Change your display name in three steps

Your display name on X is the name that appears next to your profile picture and posts. To change it, open X on your phone or computer, tap or click your profile picture in the top left corner, and select "Settings and privacy." Go to "Account," then "Account information," and you'll see a field labeled "Name." Delete the current name and type the new one—X allows up to 50 characters. Click "Save" and the change takes effect when ready.

This is different from your username (the @handle that appears in your profile URL). Your display name can include spaces, capital letters, and special characters, while your username cannot. You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period, though X may temporarily limit rapid changes if it detects unusual activity.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name appears next to your posts and profile; your username (@handle) is the permanent address of your account and cannot be changed as easily.
  • Display names can be up to 50 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and symbols, but usernames have stricter rules.
  • Changes to your display name show up when ready across all your posts and your profile.
  • You can change your display name as many times as you want, but X may flag extremely frequent changes as suspicious activity.
  • If you want to change your username instead, you can do so once every 30 days from the same Settings menu.

Where to find the name field on mobile

On an iPhone or Android phone, tap your profile picture in the top left corner of the home feed. Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu that appears. Tap "Settings," then scroll down and tap "Account," then "Account information." The "Name" field will be at the top of the screen. Tap it, clear the current text, type your new name, and tap "Save" at the bottom of the screen.

If you're using the X app and the menu doesn't appear when you tap your profile picture, make sure you're tapping the small circular profile picture in the top left corner of the feed, not the larger profile picture on your own profile page. The top left corner is the quickest route to settings.

Where to find the name field on desktop

On a computer, click your profile picture in the top left corner of the sidebar. Click "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu. Click "Settings," then click "Account" in the left sidebar. Click "Account information," and you'll see the "Name" field near the top. Click inside it, select all the text, type your new name, and click "Save."

On desktop, you can also reach this page by clicking the three dots (•••) on your profile page and selecting "Edit profile," which opens the same editing screen. Both routes lead to the same name field.

The difference between display name and username

Your display name is what people see when they read your posts. It can be anything: your real name, a nickname, a business name, or a phrase. You can change it when ready and as often as you want. Your username (the @handle) is the permanent address of your account—it's what appears in your profile URL and what people type to mention you in posts.

If you want to change your username instead of your display name, you can do so once every 30 days. Go to the same "Account information" page, scroll down to the "Username" field, and click "Change username." X will show you available usernames based on what you type. Pick one and click "Change." Your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days.

Changing your username does not affect your followers, your posts, or your account history. However, any links that used your old @handle will no longer work, so if you've shared your profile URL anywhere, people clicking that old link will see an error.

What happens when you change your name

When you change your display name, the change appears when ready on your profile and on all your past posts. People who follow you will not receive a notification that you changed your name—they'll straightforward see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts in their feed. Your followers, following list, and post history remain unchanged.

If you have a verified account (indicated by a blue checkmark), your verification status stays with your account even after you change your name. The same is true for any lists you've created or been added to—they stay attached to your account regardless of what name you use.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is trying to change your username when you meant to change your display name. If you click "Change username" instead of editing the "Name" field, remember that you can only change your username once every 30 days. If you made a mistake, you'll have to wait 30 days before you can change it again. Always double-check which field you're editing before you save.

Another mistake is assuming that changing your name will change your @handle. It won't. Your @handle is separate and can only be changed through the "Username" field. If you want both your display name and your username to match, you'll need to change them separately.

Some people also worry that changing their name will affect their account security or cause them to lose followers. It won't. Your account remains the same—only the name that displays changes. All your followers stay, and your account history is unaffected.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit to how many times you can change your display name, and there is no waiting period between changes. You can change it back when ready if you want. However, if you changed your username (your @handle), you can only change it once every 30 days.

Will people get notified if I change my name?

No. Your followers will not receive a notification when you change your display name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts in their feed. If you want people to know about the change, you can post about it yourself.

What if I see an error when I try to save my new name?

X may reject names that contain certain characters or that are too similar to an existing account. Try removing special characters or shortening the name. If the error persists, wait a few minutes and try again—X sometimes has temporary glitches. If the problem continues, check X's help center or contact their support team.

Can I use my real name if I've been using a nickname?

Yes. You can change your display name to anything you want at any time. There is no verification process—X does not check whether the name you enter is actually your legal name. You can use your real name, a nickname, a business name, or any other text you choose.

If I change my username, do my old posts get a new URL?

No. Your old posts keep their original URLs, which include your old username. If someone tries to visit a post using the old URL, they will get an error. The post itself is still on your account and still visible through your profile, but direct links to it using the old username will not work.