Change your display name in Twitter settings

Your Twitter display name — the name that appears above your handle — can be changed anytime from your account settings. This is different from your username (the @handle), which has stricter rules and cannot be changed as often. The display name is what people see when they visit your profile or read your posts.

Open Twitter on your phone or computer and tap or click the three-dot menu icon in the top left corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Account," then "Account information." You'll see your current display name at the top of the page. Tap or click on it to edit.

Type your new name into the text field. Twitter allows up to 50 characters, including spaces and numbers. When you're done, tap or click "Save" at the bottom of the screen. The change takes effect immediately across your entire account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is the text above your @handle and can be changed anytime from Settings and privacy > Account > Account information.
  • Display names can be up to 50 characters long and can include spaces, numbers, and most symbols.
  • Changes appear instantly on your profile and in all your posts, replies, and retweets.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your username (@handle) or your followers.
  • You can change your display name back to your original name or to something new as many times as you want.

What happens when you change your display name

When you update your display name, the change shows up right away everywhere on Twitter. Your followers will see the new name on your profile, in your posts, and in notifications. People who have you bookmarked or saved will still find you — your username and account don't change, only the name displayed above it.

If you had a verified checkmark before the change, you keep it. Your follower count, posts, likes, and all other account history remain exactly the same. The only thing that changes is what name appears next to your account.

Difference between display name and username

Your display name is what you see at the top of your profile — it can be anything you want and can be changed as often as you like. Your username (your @handle) is the unique identifier Twitter assigns to your account. Usernames start with @ and cannot contain spaces.

If you want to change your username instead of your display name, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information and look for "Username." You can change your username, but Twitter limits how often you can do this. If you change it, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period.

Troubleshooting if your change won't save

If you try to save a new display name and get an error, the most common reason is that Twitter is having a temporary issue. Wait a few minutes and try again. Make sure you're using a supported browser or the official Twitter app — third-party apps sometimes have trouble with account changes.

If the name you want contains special characters or emojis, Twitter may reject it if those characters aren't supported. Try removing symbols and using only letters, numbers, and spaces. If you're still stuck, log out completely, close the app or browser, and log back in before trying again.

Using special characters and emojis in your name

Twitter allows most emojis and special characters in display names. You can add symbols like hearts, stars, or other Unicode characters to make your name stand out. To add an emoji, copy it from another source and paste it into the display name field, or use your device's emoji keyboard.

Some characters may not work depending on your device or browser. If an emoji or symbol doesn't appear after you save, Twitter's system doesn't support it. Stick to common emojis and standard punctuation marks if you want to be sure your name displays correctly for everyone.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are the same whether you use Twitter on your phone or computer, but the exact buttons and menus look slightly different. On a phone, tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right of the screen (or top left on some versions). On a computer, click the three-dot menu in the left sidebar under your profile picture.

Both routes lead to the same Settings and privacy menu. If you're having trouble finding the menu on your device, make sure you're using the official Twitter app or website — some older versions or third-party apps may have different layouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your display name as many times as you want. Go back to Settings and privacy > Account > Account information and type in your old name. There's no limit on how often you can make changes or how many times you can revert to a previous name.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

Your followers won't get a notification about the name change, but they'll see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see one of your posts. People who follow you will still follow you — changing your display name doesn't affect your follower list.

What if someone else has the display name I want?

Multiple people can have the same display name on Twitter because display names aren't unique. Only usernames (@handles) have to be different. You can use any display name you want, even if someone else is already using it.

Does changing my name affect my verified checkmark?

No. If your account has a verified checkmark, it stays with your account no matter what name you use. The verification is tied to your account, not to your display name.

Can I use my real name if I've been using a nickname?

Yes. You can change your display name to anything at any time. There's no rule requiring you to keep the same name or to use a real name — it's entirely up to you what you display on your profile.