Change your display name in Gmail settings

Your Gmail display name is what appears in the "From" line when you send an email. To change it, open Gmail, click the gear icon in the top right, and select "See all settings." Go to the "Accounts and Import" tab, then find the "Send mail as" section. Click "Edit info" next to your email address, type your new name in the "Name" field, and click "Save changes."

This change takes effect immediately for new emails you send. People who receive your messages will see the new name you entered. If you have multiple email addresses set up in Gmail's "Send mail as" section, you can give each one a different display name.

The display name change does not affect your Google Account name or your Gmail address itself — only what appears when recipients see your emails. You can change it back at any time by following the same steps and entering a different name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Gmail display name is the name that shows in the "From" line of emails you send, and you change it through Settings > Accounts and Import > Send mail as.
  • Changing your display name in Gmail does not change your actual Gmail address or your Google Account name.
  • If you have multiple email addresses set up in Gmail, each one can have its own display name.
  • The change takes effect immediately for all new emails you send going forward.
  • If you want to change your Google Account name itself (which affects other Google services), you need to do that in your Google Account settings, not in Gmail.

Difference between display name and Google Account name

Gmail has two separate names: your display name (what shows in the "From" line of your emails) and your Google Account name (your legal name registered with Google, used across all Google services). Changing one does not change the other.

If you want to change your Google Account name instead, go to myaccount.google.com, click "Personal info" on the left, find "Name," and click the pencil icon to edit it. That change affects your name across Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and other Google services you use.

Most people only need to change their Gmail display name — for example, if they want emails to show "Sarah O." instead of "Sarah Okonkwo," or if they want to use a nickname or business name. The Google Account name change is less common and affects more of your Google presence.

Changing your name on multiple devices

If you use Gmail on your phone, tablet, or computer, the display name change you make in settings applies everywhere automatically. You do not need to change it separately on each device.

However, if you use the Gmail app on your phone, you may need to refresh or sign out and back in to see the new name reflected in the app. The change is already saved in your account — the app just needs to reload the information. On desktop, the change usually appears within a few minutes without any action needed.

What happens to old emails after you change your name

Emails you sent before changing your display name will still show your old name in the "From" line. Gmail does not retroactively update the sender name on messages already sent. Only new emails you send after the change will show your new name.

If you need old emails to show a different name, there is no way to change them within Gmail. The sender information is part of the email's permanent record once it is sent. Recipients who received your old emails will continue to see the original name on those messages.

Changing your name if you use Gmail for work

If your Gmail account is through Google Workspace (a business account), you may not be able to change your display name yourself. Your workspace administrator controls name settings for work accounts. Contact your IT department or administrator to request a name change.

Some workspace administrators allow employees to change their own display names through limited settings, while others manage all name changes centrally. Ask your administrator what options are available for your account. In some cases, the administrator may need to verify your identity or update records in the company directory before approving the change.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If you change your display name but it does not appear in your sent emails, try signing out of Gmail completely and signing back in. Sometimes the browser cache holds onto the old information. Clear your browser cache if the old name still appears after signing back in.

If you see an error message when trying to save your new name, Gmail may have rejected it because of unsupported characters. Try removing special characters, numbers, or symbols and use only letters and spaces. If the error persists, contact Google Support through your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my Gmail display name affect my email address?

No. Your email address (the part before @gmail.com) stays the same. Only the name that appears in the "From" line changes. People still send emails to your original address.

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

Gmail allows most letters, numbers, and common punctuation marks in display names. Emojis and some special characters may not work. If you try to save a name with unsupported characters, Gmail will show an error message.

How long does it take for the name change to show up?

The change is immediate in your Gmail settings. New emails you send will show the new name right away. Recipients see the updated name when they receive your next email.

Can I have different display names for different contacts?

No. Your display name is the same for everyone who receives your emails. However, if you have multiple email addresses set up in "Send mail as," each address can have its own display name.

What if I forgot what my current display name is?

Go to Settings > Accounts and Import, find the "Send mail as" section, and look at the name shown next to your email address. That is your current display name.