You can change a Snapchat display name, but not the username itself
Snapchat has two separate name fields: the display name (what friends see in their contact list) and the username (the handle people use to add you, like @yourname). You can change the display name as many times as you want, but the username is permanent once you set it. If you need to change someone else's display name on your account, you cannot do it directly — only the account owner can change their own name.
If you are trying to change how a contact appears in your own Snapchat list, you can create a custom nickname just for yourself without touching their actual account. This is useful if you want to remember someone by a different name in your own contacts.
Key Takeaways
- Display names can be changed unlimited times by the account owner, but usernames cannot be changed after they are set.
- Only the person who owns the Snapchat account can change their own display name through Settings.
- You can create a custom nickname for any contact in your own Snapchat list without changing their actual account.
- Changing a display name does not affect the username, so friends can still find and message that person using the original handle.
How to change your own display name on Snapchat
Open Snapchat and tap your profile icon in the top left corner. This takes you to your profile page. Tap the gear icon in the top right to open Settings.
Scroll down and tap "Username" — this shows your current username and display name together. Tap "Display Name" (not Username). Type the new name you want to use. Snapchat allows up to 20 characters. Tap the checkmark or "Save" button to confirm the change. Your new display name appears in your friends' contact lists immediately.
You can change your display name as often as you want with no waiting period. Your username stays the same no matter how many times you change the display name.
How to create a custom nickname for someone in your contacts
If you want to remember a friend by a different name in your own contact list, you can set a nickname without changing their actual account. Open Snapchat and go to the Chat tab. Find the person you want to rename and press and hold their name until a menu appears.
Tap "Edit Name" or the pencil icon. Type the nickname you want to use for this contact. This name appears only in your own Snapchat list — the other person does not see it, and it does not change their actual display name. Tap Save or the checkmark to confirm.
You can set a different nickname for the same person on each of your devices. If you use Snapchat on your phone and tablet, the nicknames do not sync between them.
Why you cannot change someone else's display name
Snapchat does not allow one person to change another person's display name or username. Only the account owner can make changes to their own profile. This is a security feature — it prevents someone from taking over how your account appears to others without your permission.
If someone is using a display name that bothers you or that you think is inappropriate, you can block them or report them to Snapchat. You cannot force them to change it yourself.
What happens when you change your display name
When you change your display name, the change takes effect immediately for all your friends. They see the new name in their contact list and in chat conversations. Old messages you sent before the change still show your old display name — Snapchat does not update the name on past messages.
Your username never changes, so people can still find you by searching for your original handle. If you had a username like @originalname, changing your display name to "New Name" does not affect the search — people still find you by typing @originalname.
Changing your display name on different devices
If you use Snapchat on multiple devices, you only need to change your display name once. The change syncs across all your phones and tablets automatically. You do not have to update it separately on each device.
The same applies to custom nicknames you create for contacts — if you set a nickname for someone on your phone, that nickname appears on your tablet too. If you want different nicknames on different devices, you would need to change them manually on each one.
If you forgot your username and need to change it
Snapchat usernames cannot be changed once they are set. If you chose a username you do not like and want something different, your only option is to create a new Snapchat account with a new username. You cannot recover or modify the old username on an existing account.
Before you create a new account, think through what you want to lose — your chat history, your Snapchat score, and your friends list will not transfer to the new account. You would need to add all your friends again. If you just dislike how your name appears to others, changing the display name solves that problem without losing your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username on Snapchat?
No. Usernames are permanent once you set them when you create your account. If you want a different username, you must create a new Snapchat account. Display names can be changed unlimited times, but usernames cannot.
If I change my display name, will my friends still be able to find me?
Yes. Your username stays the same, so people can still search for you and find you by your original handle. The display name is just what appears in their contact list — it does not affect how people search for or add you.
Can I set different display names on different devices?
No. Your display name syncs across all devices. If you change it on your phone, it changes on your tablet and any other device you use Snapchat on. You cannot have different display names on different devices.
What is the difference between a display name and a username?
Your username is the handle people use to find and add you (like @yourname). Your display name is what appears in your friends' contact lists and can be changed anytime. You can have a username like @john2024 but a display name like "Johnny" — friends see "Johnny" but search for you using @john2024.
If I change my display name, do old messages show the new name?
No. Messages you sent before the change still show your old display name. Only new messages after the change show your new display name. Snapchat does not update the names on past conversations.