How to change your YouTube channel name
You can change your YouTube channel name through your Google Account settings. The process takes about two minutes and does not require you to create a new channel or lose any of your videos, subscribers, or history. YouTube lets you change your channel name as often as you want, though there is a waiting period between changes.
The name you see on your channel is linked to your Google Account name. When you change your Google Account name, your YouTube channel name changes automatically across all Google services. You do not need to contact YouTube support or wait for approval — the change takes effect right away.
Key Takeaways
- Your YouTube channel name is controlled through your Google Account settings, not through YouTube itself.
- You must wait 14 days between channel name changes, so choose carefully if you have changed it recently.
- Changing your channel name does not affect your videos, subscribers, watch history, or any other channel data.
- The change appears immediately across YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, and any other Google service linked to that account.
Steps to change your channel name on desktop
Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in with the Google Account connected to your YouTube channel. Click Personal info in the left menu. Find the Name field and click the pencil icon next to it to edit.
Type your new name in the Given name and Family name fields. You can use spaces, hyphens, and numbers. Click Save when you are done. The change takes effect immediately on your YouTube channel and everywhere else your Google Account name appears.
Steps to change your channel name on mobile
Open the Google Account app or go to myaccount.google.com in your phone's browser and sign in. Tap Personal info. Scroll to the Name section and tap the pencil icon.
Edit your given name and family name, then tap Save. If you are using a browser, you may need to tap Save twice — once to confirm the edit and once to save the change to your account. The new name will show on your YouTube channel within seconds.
The 14-day waiting period between changes
YouTube enforces a 14-day waiting period after each name change. If you try to change your name again before 14 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. This rule applies whether you changed your name through Google Account settings or through YouTube's channel customization page.
The timer starts from the date of your last change, not from when you first created your account. If you made a mistake or want to change your name again, you will need to wait the full 14 days before making another change.
What happens to your channel when you change the name
Your channel URL does not change when you update your channel name. If your channel has a custom URL (like youtube.com/@yourname), that URL stays the same even after you change your display name. Your subscribers will not be notified of the name change, but they will see the new name the next time they visit your channel.
All your videos, playlists, watch history, subscriptions, and comments remain exactly as they were. Your channel views and subscriber count do not reset. If you have monetization enabled or are part of the YouTube Partner Program, your status and earnings are not affected by a name change.
If you want to change your channel URL instead
Your channel URL (the web address) is different from your channel name. If you have a custom URL, you can change it through YouTube Studio, but only once every 90 days. Go to youtube.com/studio, click Settings in the left menu, then Channel, then Basic info. Look for the Channel URL section and click Edit.
If you do not have a custom URL yet, you can claim one if your channel has at least 500 subscribers and no community guideline strikes in the past 90 days. The option to claim a custom URL appears in the same Basic info section of YouTube Studio.
Troubleshooting: name change is not showing up
If you changed your Google Account name but it is not showing on YouTube, try signing out and signing back in. Clear your browser cache or close and reopen the YouTube app. Changes usually appear within seconds, but can take up to a few minutes to sync across all devices.
If you see an error message saying you cannot change your name, check whether you have changed it within the last 14 days. You may also have a Google Account restriction if you are under 18 in certain countries — in that case, a parent or guardian may need to make the change through Family Link settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my YouTube channel name without changing my Google Account name?
No. Your YouTube channel name is always the same as your Google Account name. If you want a different name just for YouTube, you would need to create a separate Google Account. However, you can create multiple YouTube channels under the same Google Account and give each one a different name by using channel switching.
Will my subscribers know when I change my channel name?
YouTube does not send notifications to your subscribers when you change your channel name. They will see the new name when they visit your channel, but there is no alert. If you want to tell them about the change, you can post a community post or mention it in a video.
How many times can I change my YouTube channel name?
You can change your channel name as many times as you want, but you must wait 14 days between each change. There is no limit on the total number of changes you can make over time.
What if I want to use a name that is already taken by another channel?
YouTube channel names do not have to be unique — multiple channels can have the same display name. However, custom URLs must be unique. If the custom URL you want is taken, you cannot claim it, but you can still use that name as your channel's display name.
Does changing my channel name affect my YouTube earnings or Partner status?
No. Your monetization status, ad revenue, and YouTube Partner Program membership are tied to your channel, not to your channel name. Changing your name does not affect your earnings or any agreements you have with YouTube.