You cannot change Siri's name, but you can change how you address her

Siri is Apple's voice assistant, and her name is built into the system — you cannot rename her to something else. However, you can change the voice Siri uses, the language Siri speaks, and the accent of that voice. You can also create a custom voice command that triggers Siri without saying "Hey Siri" first, though the assistant herself will still respond as Siri.

The confusion usually comes from people wanting to personalize how they interact with Siri. While you cannot call her by a different name, the steps below show you every way you can actually customize her voice, language, and how you summon her.

Key Takeaways

  • Siri's name cannot be changed in any Apple operating system, but you can change her voice, accent, and language in Settings.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice to pick from multiple voice options, including different accents and genders.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > Siri & Spotlight > Siri Voice to make the same changes.
  • You can create a custom voice command to trigger Siri using a phrase other than "Hey Siri," though Siri will still identify herself as Siri when she responds.

How to change Siri's voice on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Scroll down and tap Siri & Search. Then tap Siri Voice. You will see a list of voice options organized by language and accent — for example, "English (United States)" may offer American, Irish, South African, and Australian accents, each with multiple voice choices.

Tap any voice option to hear a sample. Once you find one you like, it becomes active immediately. You do not need to confirm or save — the change takes effect right away. The next time you use Siri, she will speak in the voice you selected.

If you want to change the language Siri understands (not just the voice she speaks), go back to Siri & Search and tap Language. Pick a different language from the list. This changes both what language Siri listens for and what language she responds in.

How to change Siri's voice on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Click Siri & Spotlight in the sidebar. Then click Siri Voice. You will see the same voice options as on iPhone — organized by language and accent.

Click any voice to hear a sample, then click it again to select it. The change takes effect immediately. If you want to change the language Siri understands on Mac, go back to Siri & Spotlight and click Language, then pick a new language from the list.

Creating a custom voice command to trigger Siri

You cannot replace "Hey Siri" with a completely different phrase, but you can set up a custom voice command using Shortcuts — Apple's automation app. This is more advanced and requires a few extra steps, but it lets you trigger actions by saying something other than "Hey Siri."

Open the Shortcuts app on your device. Tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut. Add an action (for example, "Open App" or "Send Message"). Then tap the three dots in the top-right corner and select Add to Siri. You will be prompted to record a custom voice command — say whatever phrase you want to use. From then on, saying that phrase will trigger that specific action.

This approach works well if you want to say something like "Hey assistant, turn on the lights" instead of "Hey Siri, turn on the lights." However, Siri herself will still identify as Siri when she responds to you — you are only changing the trigger phrase for specific commands, not renaming the assistant.

Why Siri's name cannot be changed

Siri is Apple's trademarked name for the voice assistant built into all Apple devices. The name is part of the system software and cannot be modified through settings or preferences. Apple designed Siri as a consistent experience across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and HomePod, so changing the name on one device would create confusion across the ecosystem.

If you want a voice assistant with a different name, you can use Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa on some Apple devices, though these are separate apps and not integrated as deeply into iOS or macOS as Siri is.

Changing Siri's voice on Apple Watch

Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone. Tap Siri. Then tap Siri Voice and select a new voice from the list. The change syncs to your Apple Watch automatically.

On the watch itself, you can also go to Settings > Siri > Siri Voice, but it is usually faster to make the change through the Watch app on your iPhone.

Troubleshooting voice changes that do not work

If you change Siri's voice but she still speaks in the old voice, restart your device. On iPhone or iPad, hold down the power button until you see the shutdown screen, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. On Mac, click the Apple menu and select Restart.

If Siri still uses the wrong voice after a restart, check that you actually selected a new voice — sometimes the tap does not register. Go back to Settings > Siri & Search > Siri Voice and tap your chosen voice again to confirm it is selected. A checkmark should appear next to the active voice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename Siri to something completely different?

No. Siri's name is built into Apple's system software and cannot be changed. You can change her voice, accent, and language, and you can create custom voice commands for specific actions, but the assistant will always identify herself as Siri.

Will changing Siri's voice affect other Apple features?

No. Changing Siri's voice only affects how Siri sounds when she speaks to you. It does not change how she understands your commands, how notifications sound, or how other apps on your device work. Text-to-speech in other apps (like Books or Mail) uses separate voice settings.

Can I use a male voice for Siri?

Yes. When you go to Siri Voice settings, you will see multiple voice options for each language and accent. Some are labeled as male voices, some as female, and some are gender-neutral. Tap any voice to hear a sample before selecting it.

What happens if I change Siri's language?

Siri will listen for commands in the new language and respond in that language. If you speak English but select Spanish, Siri will expect Spanish commands and reply in Spanish. You can switch back to English anytime by going to Siri & Search > Language and selecting English again.

Does changing Siri's voice require an internet connection?

No. Siri's voice options are stored on your device, so you can change voices anytime, even without internet. However, Siri herself requires an internet connection to process most commands and provide information.