How to change your Instagram name in three steps
You can change the name that appears on your Instagram profile by going to your settings, finding the profile section, and editing the name field. The process takes less than a minute and you can change it back anytime. Instagram does not limit how many times you can change your name, and the change appears to everyone who visits your profile immediately.
The name you change is separate from your username (the handle that starts with @). Your name is what shows up at the top of your profile; your username is what people use to search for you or tag you in posts. You can change your name without changing your username, or change both.
Key Takeaways
- Your Instagram name and your username are two different things — changing one does not change the other.
- You can change your name from the Edit Profile section in Settings, and the change takes effect immediately.
- Instagram does not restrict how often you can change your name, but changing your username has a cooldown period.
- If you cannot find the Edit Profile option, make sure you are logged into the account you want to change and that you are using the official Instagram app or website.
Steps to change your name on the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your profile page. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right, then tap Settings and Privacy. Scroll down and tap Account, then tap Edit Profile.
In the Name field, delete your current name and type the new one you want. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and some symbols. Tap Done or the checkmark to save. Your new name appears on your profile right away.
Steps to change your name on Instagram's website
Go to instagram.com and log in to your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click Settings. On the left side, click Edit Profile. Find the Name field at the top of the page, clear it, and type your new name. Click Submit to save the change.
If you do not see an Edit Profile option, make sure you are logged in to the correct account. Some third-party apps or browser extensions can hide or move Instagram's settings — if you cannot find the option, try logging in through a private or incognito browser window.
What you can and cannot do with your Instagram name
You can change your name to anything you want, including spaces, periods, hyphens, and numbers. Instagram does not require your name to match your legal name, and you can use a nickname, business name, or any other text. There is no limit to how many times you can change your name or how quickly you can change it again.
Your name does not have to be unique — multiple people can have the same name on Instagram. If you want a unique identifier, that is what your username is for. Your username must be unique, and if you change it, Instagram enforces a cooldown period (usually 14 days) before you can change it again.
The difference between your name and your username
Your name is the display name at the top of your profile. It is what people see when they visit your profile or when you comment on their posts. You can change it as often as you want with no restrictions.
Your username is your handle — the @name that appears in your profile URL and that people use to search for you or tag you. Usernames must be unique across Instagram, and you can only change yours once every 14 days. If you want to change your username, go to Edit Profile and tap the Username field instead of the Name field.
What happens when you change your name
When you change your name, the new name appears on your profile, in your comments, and in your posts immediately. People who follow you will see the name change the next time they visit your profile or see your activity. Your old name does not appear anywhere on Instagram after the change.
Changing your name does not affect your followers, the posts you have made, or any of your account data. Your direct messages stay the same, and people can still find you by your username. If you change your name back to something you used before, it will not restore old posts or comments under that name — the history stays the same.
Troubleshooting: why you might not see the Edit Profile option
If you cannot find the Edit Profile button, check that you are logged into the account you want to change. If you are viewing someone else's profile, you will not see an Edit Profile option. Log out and log back in to make sure you are on your own account.
If you are on your own profile and still do not see Edit Profile, try closing the Instagram app completely and opening it again. If you are using a web browser, try a different browser or a private/incognito window. Some browser extensions or security software can block Instagram's interface. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the Instagram app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. There is no restriction on changing your name back. You can change your name as many times as you want, whenever you want. If you want to use a previous name again, just go to Edit Profile and type it in.
Does changing my name affect my username or my URL?
No. Your username and profile URL stay the same when you change your name. If your username is @janedoe and you change your name to "Jane Smith", your username remains @janedoe and your profile URL stays instagram.com/janedoe.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?
You can use spaces, periods, hyphens, underscores, and numbers. Instagram does not allow most special characters or emojis in the name field. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, Instagram will not let you save the change.
What if I see an error message when I try to save my new name?
The most common error is that your name contains a character Instagram does not allow. Try removing special characters and using only letters, numbers, spaces, periods, and hyphens. If the error continues, log out, close the app completely, and try again.