Change your name in Instagram settings in under two minutes

Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right on mobile, or click the hamburger menu at the top right on desktop. Select Settings and privacy, then Account center. From there, tap Personal information and then Name. You can now edit your first and last name in the fields provided. Instagram will save the change immediately once you confirm.

The name you change here is the one that appears on your profile — the display name people see when they visit your account. This is different from your username (the handle that starts with @), which has separate rules and cannot be changed as often.

Instagram does not require you to use your legal name. You can use a nickname, business name, or any text you want. There is no waiting period between name changes, so you can update it as many times as you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Your profile name (display name) is edited through Settings and privacy > Account center > Personal information > Name, and changes take effect immediately.
  • You can change your name to anything you want — Instagram does not verify legal identity or require your real name.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your username (@handle), which is a separate setting with different change rules.
  • The name change is visible to everyone who visits your profile, including people who do not follow you.

Where to find the name field on mobile

On an iPhone or Android phone, tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy.

From the settings menu, tap Account center. You may see a list of your accounts if you manage more than one Instagram profile. Select the account you want to edit. Tap Personal information, then tap Name. The text fields for your first and last name will appear. Type your new name and tap Done or Save (the button label varies by phone type).

Where to find the name field on desktop

Log into Instagram on a web browser and click your profile icon in the top right corner. Click Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu. Click Account center on the left side of the screen.

Click Personal information and then click Name. You will see two text boxes: one for your first name and one for your last name. Edit the text and click Save. The change will appear on your profile within seconds.

What happens when you change your name

Your new name appears immediately on your profile page and in search results. People who already follow you will see the updated name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts in their feed. The change does not affect your username or any of your posts, photos, or messages.

Instagram does not send notifications to your followers when you change your name. If you have a large following or a business account, you may want to mention the change in a post or story if the new name is significantly different from the old one.

The difference between your name and your username

Your name (also called your display name) is what appears at the top of your profile and in comments you make. Your username is the @handle that people use to tag you or search for you directly. You can change your name as often as you want with no restrictions. Your username can be changed once every 14 days.

If you want to change your username instead, go to Settings and privacy > Account center > Personal information > Username. You will see your current @handle and can type a new one. Instagram will tell you if the username is already taken or contains characters that are not allowed.

Name changes on business and creator accounts

Business and creator accounts follow the same process as personal accounts. Go to Settings and privacy > Account center > Personal information > Name and edit the field. The change appears on your profile the same way it does for personal accounts.

If you have a business account linked to a Facebook Page, changing your Instagram name does not automatically change your Facebook Page name. You will need to update your Facebook Page separately if you want the names to match.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Instagram allows most letters, numbers, spaces, and some punctuation marks in your display name. Emojis are permitted and will display on your profile. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, Instagram will show an error message when you try to save.

Does changing my name affect my followers or my posts?

No. Your follower count stays the same, all your posts remain on your profile, and your direct messages are unaffected. People who have saved your profile will still be able to find you, though they will see your new name when they visit.

How often can I change my name?

You can change your display name as many times as you want with no waiting period between changes. This is different from your username, which can only be changed once every 14 days.

What if I want to change my username instead of my name?

Go to Settings and privacy > Account center > Personal information > Username. Type your new @handle and tap Save. Instagram will check if the username is available. You can change your username once every 14 days.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

Instagram does not send a notification when you change your display name. Your followers will see the new name when they next visit your profile or see your posts in their feed.