How to change your Instagram name in the app or on the web

You can change the name that appears on your Instagram profile in two places: your username (the handle people use to find you, like @yourname) and your display name (the full name or label shown at the top of your profile). Instagram lets you change your display name whenever you want, but usernames have a 14-day waiting period between changes. Both changes happen in your profile settings, not in a separate account or identity menu.

To change your display name on mobile, open Instagram, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Name. Type your new name and tap Save. On the web, go to your profile, click Edit profile, change the name field, and click Save. Your new display name appears immediately to everyone following you.

To change your username, follow the same path to Settings and privacy > Account, but select Username instead of Name. Type your new username and tap Change username. If you changed your username in the last 14 days, Instagram will tell you when you can change it again. Once you change it, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after 30 days.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (the full name shown on your profile) can be changed as often as you want with no waiting period.
  • Your username (the @handle) can only be changed once every 14 days, and your old username becomes available to others after 30 days.
  • Both changes are made in Settings and privacy > Account on mobile or in Edit profile on the web.
  • Changing your name does not affect your account security, followers, or messages — only what people see when they visit your profile.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, Instagram removes it from your account immediately, but does not delete it right away. Your old username enters a 30-day holding period during which no one else can claim it. After 30 days, anyone on Instagram can register that username for themselves.

If you want to keep your old username, you can change back to it within the 14-day waiting period (so you would change to a new username, then change back within 14 days). After 14 days have passed, you cannot reclaim your old username unless it has not been taken by someone else — and if it has been taken, you would need to contact that person to ask them to change theirs.

Restrictions on usernames and display names

Instagram does not allow certain characters or patterns in usernames. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. They cannot start with a number, and they must be between 1 and 30 characters long. Usernames are not case-sensitive, so @MyName and @myname are treated as the same username.

Display names have fewer restrictions — you can use spaces, capital letters, accents, and most special characters. However, Instagram may reject display names that violate its community guidelines, such as names that impersonate someone else or include hate speech. If Instagram blocks your display name change, you will see an error message explaining why.

If you cannot change your username because of the 14-day wait

The 14-day waiting period is a fixed rule — Instagram does not waive it for any reason. If you changed your username recently and want a different one now, you have three options: wait until the 14 days have passed, change back to your previous username if it is still available, or create a new account with the username you want.

If you are trying to change your username and see an error message that is not about the 14-day wait, the username may already be taken, contain forbidden characters, or violate Instagram's policies. Try a different username, or contact Instagram's support through the app by going to Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem.

Changing your name on a business or creator account

Business and creator accounts follow the same rules as personal accounts for changing display names and usernames. The process is identical: go to Settings and privacy > Account > Name or Username. However, if your account is a business account linked to a Facebook Page, changing your Instagram name may also change your Facebook Page name, depending on your settings.

If you want to keep your Instagram and Facebook names different, check your linked accounts in Settings and privacy > Linked accounts before making the change. You can unlink your Instagram account from Facebook if you prefer to manage the names separately.

What does not change when you change your name

Changing your name or username does not affect your followers, the people you follow, your direct messages, or your posts. All of your content stays on your account, and people who were following you before the change continue to follow you after. Your account history, likes, and comments remain exactly as they were.

People who have you saved in their phone contacts or bookmarked your profile will still be able to find you, though they may see your new name instead of your old one. If you shared your old username in a link or told someone to search for your old handle, that link or search will no longer work — they will need your new username to find you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 14 days?

No. Instagram enforces a 14-day waiting period between username changes. You cannot change it again until 14 days have passed since your last change, even if you change back to a previous username. The only exception is if you change back to your immediately previous username within the 14-day window.

If I change my username, will my followers still see my posts?

Yes. Your followers remain your followers after you change your username. They will continue to see your posts in their feed and can still visit your profile. The only thing that changes is the @handle they use to find you or tag you.

Can I have the same display name as someone else?

Yes. Display names are not unique on Instagram — many people can have the same display name. Usernames, however, must be unique. If the username you want is taken, you cannot use it.

What if Instagram says my new name violates community guidelines?

Instagram blocks names that impersonate real people, include hate speech, or violate other policies. If your name is rejected, try a different name that does not match any of these patterns. If you believe your name was blocked by mistake, you can report the issue through Settings and privacy > Help > Report a problem.

Can I change my username on the Instagram app but not on the web?

No. Your username and display name are the same across all devices. If you change your name on the app, it changes on the web and everywhere else Instagram appears. There is no way to have different names on different platforms.