How to change your display name on Twitter

Your display name — the name that appears above your handle — can be changed in your account settings at any time, and the change takes effect immediately. Go to your profile, click the edit button, and update the name field to whatever you want. Twitter does not limit how often you can change it, and you do not need to verify your identity or wait for approval.

The display name is separate from your handle (the @username). Your handle is much harder to change and comes with restrictions, so most people adjust their display name instead when they want a different public identity.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name changes immediately and can be updated as often as you want through your account settings.
  • Your handle (@username) is different from your display name and has stricter rules about how often you can change it.
  • Changing your name does not affect your followers, tweets, or any other account data.
  • If you want to change your handle, you can do so once every 30 days, and your old handle becomes available for someone else to claim.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Open Twitter and click on your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Settings and privacy" from the menu. Click "Account" in the left sidebar, then find "Account information" and click "Edit profile."

In the name field at the top, delete your current name and type the new one. Twitter allows up to 50 characters. When you are done, click "Save" at the bottom of the page. The change appears on your profile immediately, and all your followers see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your tweets in their feed.

Changing your handle (@username)

Your handle is the @username that appears in your profile URL and in mentions. Changing it is more restricted than changing your display name. You can change your handle once every 30 days, and when you do, your old handle is released back into the pool — anyone else can claim it within a short window.

To change your handle, go to Settings and privacy, select Account, click Account information, and look for the username field. Type your new handle and click Save. Twitter checks whether the handle is available and whether you have used your 30-day change already. If both are clear, the change takes effect immediately.

Your tweets, followers, and follower count do not change when you update your handle. However, any links to your old profile URL will no longer work, and people who had your old handle bookmarked or saved will need to find you under the new one.

What happens to your old handle

When you change your handle, Twitter does not hold your old one for you. It becomes available for anyone else to register, usually within minutes. If you think you might want to use your old handle again later, consider creating a second account and claiming it there as a backup.

If someone else takes your old handle and you want it back, you cannot reclaim it through Twitter support. Your only option is to contact the person who now owns it and ask them to release it, which they are under no obligation to do.

Changing your name on mobile

The process is the same on the Twitter mobile app. Tap your profile picture, select "Settings and privacy," tap "Account," then "Account information," and tap "Edit profile." Make your changes to the name or handle field and tap "Save."

Mobile users sometimes find the settings menu harder to navigate, so if you are having trouble locating Account information, try using the web version instead — the layout is clearer and the steps are identical.

Things to know before you change

Changing your display name does not notify your followers or create any kind of alert. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed. If you have a large following and want people to know about the change, you may want to post a tweet announcing it.

If you are changing your handle for branding or professional reasons, remember that your old handle will be available to others. If your handle is tied to your business or personal brand, consider whether you want to protect it by creating a backup account or letting people know where to find you under the new one.

Twitter does not restrict what you can name yourself, but the platform does have rules against impersonation. If you change your name to impersonate someone else — especially a public figure or verified account — Twitter may suspend your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your display name, so you can switch back and forth as often as you want. Your handle has a 30-day waiting period between changes, so if you changed your handle and want the old one back, you will need to wait 30 days and hope no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

Will my followers see my old name or new name?

Your followers will see your new name the next time they refresh their feed or visit your profile. Old tweets you posted will show your new name when they view them, not the name you had when you posted them. Twitter does not keep a record of your previous names visible to other users.

What if my desired handle is already taken?

You cannot use a handle that someone else currently owns. If the handle belongs to an inactive account, you can report it to Twitter, but there is no may provide they will release it. Your best option is to choose a similar handle with numbers, underscores, or a slight variation of the name you want.

Does changing my name affect my verification badge?

No. If your account is verified, the blue check mark stays with your account regardless of what name or handle you use. Changing your name or handle does not remove verification or require you to reverify.