Your display name is the first thing people see when they find your account

Your display name on Twitter is the text that appears at the top of your profile and next to every post you make. It is different from your username (the @handle). You can change your display name whenever you want, and Twitter does not limit how many times you do this. The change takes effect immediately across the platform.

This is one of the easiest account changes to make. You do not need to verify anything or wait for approval — just go into your settings and type the new name. The old name disappears right away, though people who follow you will still see your posts in their feed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is separate from your username (@handle) and can be changed at any time without restrictions.
  • The change happens immediately on your profile, in your posts, and in search results.
  • You can use spaces, numbers, and most special characters in your display name, but Twitter filters out some symbols.
  • Your followers will still see your posts after you change your name — the change does not affect who follows you.

How to change your display name on the web

Open Twitter in a web browser and sign in to your account. Click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the page, then select Settings and privacy. This opens a left-side menu with several options.

Click Account from that menu. You will see a section labeled Account information with your current display name shown. Click directly on your display name to edit it. A text box will appear with your current name highlighted. Delete the old name and type your new one. Twitter allows up to 50 characters. When you are finished, click Save — the button appears below the text box.

How to change your display name on the Twitter app

Open the Twitter app on your phone and tap the three-line menu icon in the top left corner (this is sometimes called a hamburger menu). Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy. Then tap Account.

You will see your display name near the top of the screen. Tap it to open the edit box. Clear the current name and type your new one. Twitter will show you how many characters you have used out of the 50-character limit. When you are done, tap Save at the bottom of the screen.

What characters and symbols you can use

Your display name can include letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. You can use emojis, accented letters, and characters from other languages. Twitter does not restrict these the way it restricts usernames.

A few symbols do not work — Twitter will reject them if you try to save. If you see an error message saying your name contains invalid characters, try removing any unusual punctuation and try again. In most cases, removing the symbol and saving will work. The display name field is much more flexible than the username field, so almost anything readable will go through.

What happens when you change your display name

The new name appears on your profile page immediately. All your old posts will show the new name next to them — Twitter does not keep a record of old display names on individual tweets. People who search for your old name will not find your account, but they can still find you by your username (@handle), which never changes.

Your followers do not get a notification that you changed your name. They will simply see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see one of your posts. You do not lose any followers, and no one unfollows you because of a name change.

If you want to change your username instead

Your username is the @handle that appears in your profile URL and is used to mention you in posts. This is different from your display name. Changing your username is also possible, but Twitter has more restrictions on it. You can change your username once every 30 days, and you cannot use a username that was recently used by another account.

To change your username, go to Settings and privacy > Account and look for the section labeled Username. Click on it and type a new username. Twitter will check whether it is available. If it is, click Save. If someone else has taken it, you will need to choose a different one.

Troubleshooting a name change that will not save

If you click Save and nothing happens, the most common reason is that Twitter detected a character it does not accept. Try removing any special symbols or emojis and save again. If that does not work, make sure you are signed into the correct account — you cannot edit another person's profile.

Another reason a save might fail is if you are using a very old version of the Twitter app. Close the app completely and open it again, or update it from your device's app store. If you are on the web, try a different browser or clear your browser cache. In almost all cases, one of these steps will fix the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your display name. You can change it back to an old name, change it again, and repeat as often as you want. Twitter does not track or restrict this.

Will people be able to find me by my old display name?

No. Once you change your display name, the old name no longer appears anywhere on your profile or posts. People can still find you by your username (@handle), which stays the same. Search results will show your new name.

Do I have to change my display name if someone else is using the same one?

No. Multiple people can have the same display name on Twitter. What matters is your username (@handle), which must be unique. You only need to change your display name if you want to.

What is the character limit for a display name?

Twitter allows up to 50 characters in your display name. This includes letters, spaces, numbers, and symbols. The app or website will show you how many characters you have used as you type.

If I change my display name, will my followers see my old posts?

Yes. Your old posts stay on your profile and in your followers' feeds. They will simply show your new display name next to them. The change does not affect the posts themselves or who can see them.