Change your Twitter name in three steps from your settings

To change the name that appears on your Twitter profile, open Twitter or the Twitter app and go to Settings and privacy. Select Your account, then Account information, and you'll see a field labeled Name. Edit it to whatever you want (up to 50 characters), then click or tap Save. The change takes effect when ready across your profile, replies, and retweets.

This is different from your username (the @handle that appears in your URL). Your name is what people see at the top of your profile and next to your posts. You can change your name as often as you want with no waiting period, and it costs nothing.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Twitter name is the display name on your profile, separate from your @username, and you can change it anytime from Settings and privacy.
  • The name field accepts up to 50 characters, including spaces and most symbols.
  • Changes show up when ready on your profile, in your replies, and in retweets of your posts.
  • If you want to change your @username instead, that requires a different step in the same settings menu and may have a waiting period if you've changed it recently.

Where to find the name field on desktop

Log into Twitter on a web browser. In the left sidebar, click the three-dot menu icon next to your profile picture, or look for a gear icon if you're on an older version of the site. Select Settings and privacy.

Click Your account in the left menu. Then click Account information. You'll see your email, phone number, and other details. The Name field is near the top. Click into it, clear the old text, type your new name, and click Save.

Where to find the name field on the mobile app

Open the Twitter app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy.

Tap Your account, then Account information. Tap the Name field, delete the current text, type your new name, and tap Save or the checkmark button. On some versions of the app, you may need to swipe left on the name field to reveal an edit button.

What you can and cannot use as a name

Twitter allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks in your name. You have 50 characters to work with. You can use emoji, accented letters, and characters from other languages.

Twitter does not allow you to impersonate someone else or use a name designed to deceive people about who you are. If your account is flagged for impersonation, Twitter may require you to change your name or suspend your account. Otherwise, there are no restrictions on what you type—you can use a real name, a nickname, a business name, or anything else.

The difference between name and username

Your name is what appears on your profile card and next to your posts. Your username (or handle) is the @address that comes after twitter.com/. For example, a person might have the name "Sarah Chen" but the username @sarahchen22.

You can change your name as many times as you want with no restrictions. Changing your username is a separate process and may have a waiting period if you've changed it recently. If you want to change your @username instead, go to Settings and privacy > Your account > Account information and look for the Username field below the name field.

What happens after you change your name

The new name appears on your profile when ready. All your old posts will show the new name next to them, not the old one. People who follow you will see the change in their feed the next time they refresh. Your username (@handle) does not change unless you change it separately.

If you've been verified (you have a blue checkmark), the verification stays with your account even after you change your name. Changing your name does not affect your follower count, your posts, your direct messages, or anything else on your account.

If you cannot find the name field

Make sure you're logged into the right account. If you have multiple Twitter accounts, check that you're in the one you want to edit. Log out completely and log back in if you're unsure.

If you're on a very old version of the Twitter app or using a third-party app, the steps may be different. Try updating the official Twitter app from your device's app store, or use Twitter.com in a web browser instead. If the name field is grayed out or locked, your account may be restricted or suspended—check your email for messages from Twitter about your account status.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your name. You can change it back to the old name, or to something else entirely, whenever you want. Just go back to Settings and privacy > Your account > Account information and edit the name field again.

Will changing my name affect my followers or my posts?

No. Your follower count stays the same, all your posts remain on your account, and your direct messages are unaffected. The only thing that changes is what name appears next to your posts and on your profile. Your @username does not change unless you change it separately.

Can I use special characters or emoji in my name?

Yes. Twitter allows emoji, accented letters, symbols, and characters from other languages in your name field. You have 50 characters total, so keep in mind that some emoji and special characters may take up more space than regular letters.

What if I want to change my @username instead of my name?

Go to Settings and privacy > Your account > Account information and look for the Username field (separate from the Name field). Edit it there. If you've changed your username recently, Twitter may require you to wait 30 days before changing it again.

Is there a waiting period to change my name?

No. You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period. The change takes effect when ready. If you're changing your @username instead, there may be a waiting period depending on when you last changed it.