Change Your Display Name in Three Steps

Your display name on Twitter is the text that appears above your username — it's what people see when they look at your profile or read your posts. You can change it anytime by going to your account settings, editing the name field, and saving the change. The process takes less than a minute and takes effect when ready across the platform.

Unlike your username (the @handle), your display name can include spaces, capital letters, and special characters. You can change it as often as you want, and Twitter does not limit how many times you do this. If you have a business account or a personal brand, updating your display name is a straightforward way to keep your profile current.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is separate from your username and can be changed from your account settings menu.
  • Display names can be up to 50 characters long and can include spaces, numbers, and most symbols.
  • Changes take effect when ready and are visible to everyone who views your profile or sees your posts.
  • You can revert to a previous display name or change it again at any time without restrictions.

Access Your Account Settings

Open Twitter and sign in to your account. Look for the menu icon — three horizontal lines — in the top left corner of the screen on mobile, or in the left sidebar on desktop. Tap or click this icon to open the navigation menu.

From the menu, scroll down until you see "Settings and privacy" or "Settings" (the exact wording depends on your device and whether you use Twitter.com or the app). Select this option to open your settings page.

Find and Edit Your Display Name

Once you're in Settings and privacy, look for "Account" in the menu on the left side of the screen (on desktop) or near the top (on mobile). Tap or click "Account" to expand that section.

You should now see "Account information" or "Your account" as an option. Select this to view your profile details. You will see a field labeled "Name" — this is your display name. The field below it shows your username, which starts with an @ symbol and cannot contain spaces.

Type Your New Display Name

Click or tap inside the "Name" field to place your cursor there. Delete your current display name and type the new one you want. Remember that display names can be up to 50 characters long, so you have room for a full name, a business name, or a creative title.

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Emojis are allowed and count toward your character limit. Twitter does not restrict you from using the same display name as other accounts — multiple people can have identical display names as long as their usernames are different.

Save Your Changes

After you type your new display name, look for a "Save" button near the bottom of the form. On mobile, this button may say "Save changes." On desktop, it usually appears at the bottom right of the Name field. Tap or click this button to confirm your change.

Twitter will save your new display name when ready. You will see a confirmation message, and your profile will update across the platform within seconds. Anyone who visits your profile or sees your posts will now see your new display name instead of the old one.

What Happens to Your Username

Changing your display name does not change your username — the @handle that people use to mention you or find your account. Your username remains the same, and all your followers, messages, and post history stay connected to that username.

If you want to change your username instead, that is a separate process available in the same Account information section. Keep in mind that changing your username can affect how people find you, since links to your old username will no longer work.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you see an error message when you try to save, the most common reason is that your display name contains a character Twitter does not allow. Remove any unusual symbols and try again with letters, numbers, spaces, and standard punctuation only.

If your changes do not appear after you save, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Twitter app. Sometimes the display takes a few seconds to update across all devices. If the problem persists after refreshing, sign out and sign back in to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same display name as someone else?

Yes. Multiple accounts can have identical display names because Twitter identifies accounts by username, not display name. Your username must be unique, but your display name does not have to be.

How many times can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no restrictions. Twitter does not limit how often you update it, so you can change it daily if you choose.

Will my followers see my old display name in their feeds?

No. Once you save your new display name, it appears everywhere — in feeds, replies, and profile pages. Your followers will see the new name the next time they refresh their feed or view your profile.

What is the character limit for a display name?

Display names can be up to 50 characters long. This includes letters, numbers, spaces, and symbols. Emojis count toward this limit as well.

Can I change my display name on mobile and desktop the same way?

The steps are the same, but the layout is slightly different. On mobile, menus stack vertically; on desktop, they appear in a sidebar. The "Name" field and "Save" button are in the same location on both versions.