The quickest way to change your Instagram name
You can change the name that appears on your Instagram profile in about two minutes using the mobile app or web browser. Go to your profile, tap or click the Edit Profile button, find the Name field, type in what you want to be called, and save. Instagram does not limit how many times you can change it, and the change takes effect when ready across your account.
The name field is separate from your username (the handle with the @ symbol). Your name is what people see at the top of your profile; your username is what they use to search for you or tag you in posts. You can change your name as often as you like, but changing your username has a cooldown period and affects how people find you.
If you are changing your name because you got married, divorced, or go by a different name now, you can update it without losing your followers, posts, or messages. Everything stays attached to your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your Instagram name and username are two different things — the name is what shows on your profile, and the username is your searchable handle.
- You can change your name from the Edit Profile section on mobile or web, and it takes effect right away.
- Changing your name does not affect your followers, posts, direct messages, or any other account data.
- You can change your name as many times as you want, but changing your username has a waiting period between changes.
- If you want to change your username instead, you can do that from the same Edit Profile screen, but you may have to wait before changing it again.
Steps to change your name on mobile
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner, then tap Settings and Privacy. Scroll down and tap Edit Profile.
In the Edit Profile screen, the Name field is at the top. Tap it, delete the current name, and type in the new name you want. You can use up to 30 characters, including spaces and punctuation. When you are done, scroll down and tap Done or Save (the button name varies by phone type).
Your new name will show on your profile when ready. Anyone who visits your profile will see the updated name right away. If you change your mind, you can go back and change it again anytime.
Steps to change your name on a web browser
Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Edit Profile from the menu.
On the Edit Profile page, the Name field is near the top. Click in the field, clear the current name, and type your new name. You can use up to 30 characters. When you are finished, click Submit or Save at the bottom of the page.
The change takes effect when ready. If you are using a work or business account, the same steps explore — your name will update across all your posts and interactions.
What happens to your account when you change your name
Your followers stay with you. Changing your name does not unfollow anyone or cause anyone to unfollow you. All your posts, stories, reels, and saved content remain exactly where they are, and the name change does not affect any of them.
Your direct messages stay intact. Anyone you have messaged will still see your conversation history, and your new name will show in the chat. People who have you saved as a contact in their phone will see your new Instagram name when they look at your profile, but their phone contact for you does not change.
If you have a verified badge (the blue checkmark), it stays on your account. Changing your name does not remove verification or require you to re-verify.
The difference between your name and your username
Your name is the display name on your profile — what people see when they visit you. It can have spaces, capital letters, and special characters. You can change it as many times as you want with no waiting period.
Your username is your handle, the part that comes after the @ symbol. It is what people type to search for you or tag you in posts. Usernames can only have letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — no spaces. If you change your username, Instagram makes you wait 14 days before you can change it again.
If you want to change your username instead of your name, you can do that from the same Edit Profile screen. Look for the Username field below the Name field. Keep in mind that changing your username changes the link to your profile, so anyone who bookmarked your old link will have to search for you again.
Why you might want to change your name
People change their Instagram name for many reasons: a legal name change, a stage name or brand name, a nickname they go by now, or just wanting a fresh start. Instagram does not ask why, and there is no penalty for changing it.
If you run a business account, you might change your name to match your business name or to add a descriptor like "Photographer" or "Coaching" after your name. This helps people understand what you do when they land on your profile.
If you are concerned about privacy or safety, you can change your name to something less identifying. You can also make your account private so only people you approve can follow you and see your posts.
Troubleshooting name change problems
If you cannot find the Edit Profile button, make sure you are on your own profile, not someone else's. Tap your profile picture at the bottom right of the app, or click your profile picture at the top right on web. You should see the Edit Profile option.
If the name field is grayed out or will not let you type, try logging out and logging back in. If that does not work, try using a different browser or the mobile app instead. Sometimes a cached version of the page can cause this.
If your name change is not showing up after you save, wait a few minutes and refresh the page. Instagram sometimes takes a moment to sync the change across all your devices. If it still is not showing after 10 minutes, try logging out and back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. You can change your name as many times as you want, and there is no limit on how often you do it. If you change your mind, just go back to Edit Profile and type in the old name again.
Will people get notified when I change my name?
No. Instagram does not send notifications when you change your name. People will only see the new name if they visit your profile after the change. Your followers will not be alerted.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?
You can use some special characters like hyphens, periods, and apostrophes, but not all of them. Emojis usually do not work in the name field. If you try to save a name with a character Instagram does not allow, it will show an error message.
What if my name change is not showing on other people's phones?
It can take a few minutes for the change to sync across Instagram's servers. Ask the person to close the app completely and open it again, or to refresh your profile. If they still see the old name after 15 minutes, they can try logging out and back in.
Does changing my name affect my Instagram search ranking?
No. Changing your name does not hurt your visibility in search or affect how Instagram's algorithm shows your posts. Your account history and engagement stay the same.