Change your Instagram name in the app settings

To change the name that appears on your Instagram profile, open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right, select Settings and privacy, and choose Account. Tap Name and type your new name in the field that appears. Instagram allows up to 30 characters, including spaces. When you're done, tap Done or the checkmark to save.

This name change takes effect immediately across your profile. Anyone who visits your account will see the new name right away. You can change it as many times as you want, and there's no limit to how often you switch it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Instagram name (display name) is separate from your username and can be changed anytime through Settings and privacy > Account > Name.
  • The name field accepts up to 30 characters and can include spaces, numbers, and most symbols.
  • Name changes show up instantly on your profile and in search results where your account appears.
  • You can revert to a previous name or change to something new without any restrictions or waiting periods.
  • Changing your name does not affect your username, which is the handle people use to find and tag you.

Understand the difference between name and username

Instagram has two separate identity fields that often confuse people. Your name is the display name shown at the top of your profile and next to your posts. Your username is the handle that starts with @ and is what people type to search for you or tag you in comments. Changing your name does not change your username, and vice versa.

If you want to change your username instead, that's a different process. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Username. Instagram lets you change your username once every 14 days. If you've already changed it recently, you'll see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again.

What happens when you change your name

When you update your display name, it changes everywhere your profile appears on Instagram. Your followers will see the new name on your profile, in their feed if they follow you, and in search results. The change is visible to everyone, including people who don't follow you.

Your old name does not appear anywhere after the change. Instagram does not notify your followers that you've changed your name, so they may not notice unless they visit your profile. If you change your name frequently, some followers might find it confusing, but there's no penalty from Instagram for doing so.

Change your name on Instagram Web

If you prefer to use a computer, you can change your name through Instagram's website. Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Click Edit profile and look for the Name field at the top. Type your new name, then click Save.

The web version works the same way as the app. Your name updates instantly and appears across all devices and platforms where you're logged into Instagram.

Restrictions and things to know

Instagram does not restrict what name you can use based on content, though the platform's community guidelines still apply. You cannot use your name field to impersonate someone else or mislead people about your identity. If Instagram detects abuse, it may disable your account.

There is no character limit on how many times you can change your name, and you don't have to wait between changes. Some users change their name for events, seasons, or just because they want a fresh look. Instagram treats each change the same way.

Recover or remember a previous name

Instagram does not show you a history of names you've used in the past. If you change your name and later want to go back to something you used before, you'll need to remember it yourself. There's no "undo" button or archive of previous names.

If you're trying to find an account you used to follow and you remember their old name but not their new one, search for the old name in Instagram's search bar. If the account still exists, it may appear in results even if the name has changed, because Instagram indexes past usernames and names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name if I have a business account?

Yes. Business and creator accounts follow the same name-change process as personal accounts. Go to Settings and privacy > Account > Name and update it the same way. The change shows up on your business profile immediately.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

No. Instagram does not send notifications when you change your display name. Your followers will only see the new name if they visit your profile or if they happen to see a post you make after the change.

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

You can use most special characters and emojis in your display name. Instagram's name field accepts letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, underscores, and many symbols. Try typing what you want; if Instagram rejects it, the app will show an error message.

What if Instagram won't let me save my new name?

Instagram may reject a name if it violates community guidelines, contains impersonation, or uses characters the system doesn't recognize. Try removing special characters, shortening the name, or removing numbers. If the problem persists, log out and log back in, then try again.

Does changing my name affect my followers or the posts I've made?

No. Your follower count, posts, likes, and comments all stay the same. Only the name displayed on your profile changes. People who follow you will continue to follow you under your new name.