Change your channel name from your YouTube settings

You can change your YouTube channel name directly through your account settings. The process takes about two minutes and does not require you to create a new channel or lose your subscribers, videos, or watch history.

YouTube lets you change your channel name up to 90 days after your last change. If you changed it recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. There is no limit to how many times you can change it overall — only the 90-day waiting period between changes.

Your channel name is separate from your Google account name. Changing one does not affect the other, so your email and login stay the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your YouTube channel name through Settings > Basic Info without losing subscribers or videos.
  • YouTube enforces a 90-day waiting period between channel name changes, which resets each time you make a change.
  • Your channel name and Google account name are separate — changing your channel name does not change your email or login.
  • The change takes effect when ready across YouTube, but may take a few hours to appear everywhere on the platform.
  • If your channel is linked to a brand account, you change the brand account name instead of the channel name directly.

Step 1: Sign in and go to channel settings

Open YouTube and sign in to the account that owns the channel you want to rename. In the top right corner, click your profile picture, then select Create a channel or Manage your channels depending on whether you have already created a channel.

If you already have a channel, click Settings from the dropdown menu. This takes you to your channel homepage. In the left sidebar, click Settings again to open the full settings menu.

Step 2: Find and click Basic Info

In the Settings menu on the left, click Basic Info. This section shows your current channel name, channel description, and channel art. The channel name field is at the top.

You will see your current name displayed in a text box. Below it, YouTube shows you when you can next change your name if you have changed it recently. If the 90-day period has not passed, you cannot make a change yet.

Step 3: Enter your new channel name

Click in the channel name field and delete your current name. Type your new channel name — YouTube allows up to 50 characters. As you type, YouTube checks whether the name is available and shows you a green checkmark if it is.

Your new name can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. YouTube does not allow names that impersonate other channels, contain hate speech, or violate its community guidelines. If your name is rejected, YouTube tells you why and you can try again.

Step 4: Save your changes

Once you have entered your new name and see the green checkmark, scroll down and click Save in the bottom right corner. YouTube saves the change when ready.

Your new channel name appears on your channel page, in your uploads, and in your comments right away. It may take a few hours to update everywhere else on YouTube — in search results, recommendations, and other users' subscriptions lists — but the change is permanent once you save it.

What happens if your channel is a brand account

If your channel is linked to a brand account, you cannot change the channel name directly through Basic Info. Instead, you change the brand account name, which automatically updates your channel name.

To change a brand account name, go to Settings > Basic Info and look for the brand account section. Click the brand account name to edit it. The process is the same as changing a regular channel name, and the 90-day waiting period still applies.

Reasons your channel name change might not work

If you see an error message when you try to save, the most common reasons are that you have already changed your name within the last 90 days, the name you chose is already taken, or the name violates YouTube's community guidelines.

If you are locked out of changes because of the 90-day rule, you can still change your channel description, profile picture, and banner art in the meantime. Once the 90 days pass, you can change your name again. If your name was rejected for violating guidelines, try a different name that does not include the flagged content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my channel name affect my subscribers?

No. Your subscribers stay subscribed to your channel regardless of what you name it. They will see your new name the next time they visit your channel or see your videos in their feed, but they do not have to resubscribe or take any action.

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

Yes, as long as no one else has claimed that name. You can change your name back anytime after the 90-day waiting period passes. If someone else took the old name, you cannot use it again unless they change it first.

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

The change takes effect when ready on your channel page and in your uploads. It may take a few hours to appear in search results, recommendations, and other places across YouTube. If it has been more than a day and you still see the old name in some places, try clearing your browser cache or signing out and back in.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my channel name?

You can use most punctuation marks and numbers, but emojis are not supported in channel names. YouTube will reject names with emojis or other unsupported characters. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, underscores, and periods.

What if I forgot which email address owns my channel?

Check the email address in your Google Account settings. Go to myaccount.google.com, click Personal Info, and look at the email listed there. That is the account that owns your YouTube channel. If you have multiple Google accounts, sign out and sign back in with the correct email to access the right channel.