Change your name directly in Instagram settings

You can change the name that appears on your Instagram profile in two places: your username (the handle people use to find you, like @yourname) and your display name (the full name shown at the top of your profile). Most people want to change their display name, which takes 30 seconds and can be done from any device.

On your phone, open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right. Tap "Edit profile" and look for the "Name" field at the top. Type your new name and tap "Done" or the checkmark. On a computer, go to instagram.com, click your profile icon, select "Edit profile," and make the same change in the Name field.

Instagram lets you change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period. You can use spaces, numbers, and special characters. The display name can be up to 30 characters long.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (the full name shown on your profile) can be changed instantly from the Edit Profile section, and you can change it back anytime.
  • Your username (the @handle) can only be changed once every 14 days, and the new username must not already be taken by another account.
  • Changing your name does not affect your followers, posts, or messages — people who follow you will still see your content.
  • If you want to change your username but it is taken, you can add numbers, underscores, or periods to create a variation that is available.

Change your username if you want a different @handle

Your username is the @name people type to find you. Changing it is different from changing your display name and comes with a restriction: you can only change your username once every 14 days. If you changed it recently, Instagram will tell you when you can change it again.

To change your username, go to Edit Profile and tap the "Username" field. Type the new username you want. Instagram will tell you immediately if it is taken. If the name you want is not available, try adding an underscore, a period, or numbers — for example, @john.smith or @johnsmith22. When you find one that works, tap "Done."

Once you change your username, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim after a short delay. If you think you might want it back, do not change it unless you are sure.

What happens to your account when you change your name

Changing your name — either your display name or your username — does not affect your followers, your posts, your messages, or any other part of your account. People who already follow you will continue to follow you. Your posts stay exactly where they are. Direct messages keep working normally.

If someone has bookmarked your profile or saved a link to it, that link will still work after you change your username. Instagram automatically redirects the old username to your new one for about 30 days, so people who try to visit your old profile will be sent to your new one.

Reasons to change your display name versus your username

Change your display name if you got married, go by a nickname, want to add your business name, or just want a different look on your profile. This is the easiest change because there is no waiting period and you can do it as many times as you want. Many people use their display name to show personality — for example, a username might be @sarah.jones but the display name could be "Sarah 🎨 Photographer."

Change your username if you want people to find you by a different @handle or if your current username no longer fits who you are. This is the harder change because of the 14-day waiting period and because old usernames get released to the public. Only change your username if you are confident about the new one.

Troubleshooting: Username not available or change blocked

If the username you want is taken, Instagram will show "Sorry, that username is not available." This means another account is using it. You cannot force a change or request that Instagram release it. Your options are to pick a different name, add numbers or punctuation, or wait to see if the other account becomes inactive (though Instagram does not have a public timeline for when inactive usernames are released).

If you see a message saying you have to wait before changing your username again, you have hit the 14-day limit. Instagram counts from the date of your last change, not from a calendar date. If you changed your username on March 5, you can change it again on March 19. You can change your display name anytime while you wait.

If you cannot find the Edit Profile button, make sure you are on your own profile (not someone else's) and that you are logged in. On mobile, tap your profile icon at the bottom right. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right and select "Edit profile" from the menu.

Changing your name on a business or creator account

Business and Creator accounts work the same way as regular accounts for name changes. You can change your display name instantly and your username once every 14 days. The process is identical: go to Edit Profile and update the Name or Username field.

If you have a business account linked to a Facebook Page, changing your Instagram name does not automatically change your Facebook name. You will need to update Facebook separately if you want both to match. The same applies if you have a creator account — Instagram and Facebook are separate, so changes to one do not carry over to the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only if no one else has claimed it. When you change your username, the old one becomes available to other users after a short delay. If you want to keep a username, do not change it. If you did change it and want it back, you can try changing your username to the old one, but only if it has not been taken by someone else in the meantime.

Will my followers see my old name after I change it?

No. When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Instagram immediately. Your followers will see your new name on your profile, in their feed, and in any messages you send. Old posts will show your new name, not your old one.

How long does it take for a name change to show up?

Display name changes show up instantly. Username changes also show up right away, but Instagram may take a few minutes to update everywhere across the app. If you do not see the change after a few minutes, try closing and reopening Instagram.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?

You can use emojis and special characters in your display name. Usernames are more limited — you can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed in usernames.

What if I want to change my name but keep my account private?

Your privacy settings and your name are separate. Changing your name does not affect whether your account is public or private. You can change your name whether your account is public, private, or restricted.