You can change your Twitter name (display name) anytime from your account settings

Your Twitter name — the one that appears above your posts and in search results — is separate from your username (the @handle). You can change your display name as often as you want, and it takes less than a minute. The process is the same whether you use Twitter on the web, iPhone, or Android.

Twitter does not limit how many times you can change your name, and there is no waiting period between changes. The new name appears immediately across your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what people see) is different from your username (@handle), and only the display name can be changed without restrictions.
  • On the web, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Account Information to find the name field.
  • On iPhone or Android, tap your profile picture, select Settings and Privacy, go to Account, then Account Information.
  • Twitter allows up to 50 characters for a display name, including spaces and special characters.
  • Your old name disappears immediately, but people who follow you will see the change the next time they refresh their feed.

How to change your name on Twitter's website

Open Twitter in your browser and log in to your account. Click or tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the screen, then select Settings and Privacy from the dropdown menu.

In the left sidebar, click Account, then click Account Information. You will see a field labeled Name with your current display name. Click on that field, delete the old name, and type your new one. Twitter will show you how many characters you have used out of the 50-character limit as you type.

Once you have entered the new name, click the Save button. The change takes effect immediately.

How to change your name on the Twitter mobile app

Open the Twitter app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select Settings and Privacy from the menu that appears.

Tap Account, then tap Account Information. You will see the Name field with your current display name. Tap the field, clear the old text, and type your new name. The character counter will show your progress toward the 50-character limit.

Tap Save when you are done. The new name will appear on your profile and posts right away.

What you should know about display names versus usernames

Your display name is what people see when they look at your profile or read your tweets. It can contain spaces, capital letters, numbers, and some special characters. You can change it as many times as you want.

Your username (the @handle) is different. It starts with the @ symbol, contains no spaces, and is how people mention you in tweets. Changing your username is possible but has restrictions: you can change it once every 30 days, and it must be between 4 and 15 characters long. Most people leave their username the same to avoid confusing their followers.

Character limits and special characters you can use

Twitter allows up to 50 characters in your display name. This includes letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. You can use emoji in your name, and each emoji counts as one or two characters depending on the type.

Some characters that work in display names include hyphens, underscores, periods, and parentheses. Twitter does not allow certain symbols like @ or #, since those have special meaning on the platform. If you try to use a character that is not allowed, Twitter will show an error message when you try to save.

What happens when you change your name

The change is instant on your end. Your profile page, your tweets, and your replies all show the new name immediately. People who are already following you will see the new name the next time they refresh their feed or open the app.

If someone searches for your old name, they will not find your account — but they can still find you by searching your username (@handle), which does not change unless you deliberately change it. Your followers remain followers, your follower count stays the same, and all your old tweets stay on your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change your display name or how quickly you can change it again. If you want to revert to a previous name, follow the same steps and type the old name back in.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

Twitter does not send a notification to your followers when you change your display name. They will see the new name when they next visit your profile or see your tweets in their feed, but there is no alert about the change.

What if the name I want is already taken?

Display names are not unique on Twitter — many people can have the same display name. You can use any name you want, even if someone else is already using it. Your username (@handle) is what makes your account unique.

Does changing my name affect my direct messages or notifications?

No. Your direct messages, notifications, and follower relationships all stay the same. People who have messaged you before will still be able to find your conversation thread, and you will still receive notifications from the same accounts.

Can I use a name with special characters or emoji?

Yes. Most special characters and emoji work in display names. Twitter will let you know if you try to use a character that is not allowed. Keep in mind that some emoji take up more than one character, so you may hit the 50-character limit faster than you expect.