You can change your YouTube channel name in your account settings, and the process takes about two minutes

YouTube lets you change your channel name whenever you want, and there's no limit to how many times you can do it. The name you see on your channel — the one that appears above your videos and in search results — is separate from your Google Account name, so changing one doesn't affect the other. You make the change through your channel settings, not through your main Google Account.

The steps are the same whether you're on a computer or phone, though the phone layout looks slightly different. You'll need to be signed into the account that owns the channel.

Key Takeaways

  • Your YouTube channel name is separate from your Google Account name, so changing it won't affect your email or other Google services.
  • You can change your channel name as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • The change takes effect immediately across all your videos, playlists, and comments.
  • If you've created a custom URL for your channel, changing your name won't change that URL — you'd need to update it separately if you want them to match.

How to change your name on a computer

Sign into YouTube and look for your profile picture in the top right corner. Click it, then select "Create a channel" if you haven't made one yet, or "Settings" if you already have. (If you see "Manage your Google Account" instead, click that, then go to the "Personal info" tab.)

Once you're in your channel settings, look for the section that says "Channel" or "Basic info" on the left side. Click "Edit channel info" or the pencil icon next to your current channel name. The name field will become editable — delete the old name and type in the new one. Click "Publish" or "Save" to confirm the change. YouTube will show you a confirmation message, and the new name appears immediately on your channel.

How to change your name on a phone or tablet

Open the YouTube app and tap your profile picture at the top right. Tap "Create a channel" or "Settings," depending on whether you already have a channel. Look for "Channel" or "Basic info" — the exact wording varies by phone type.

Tap the pencil icon or "Edit" next to your channel name. The name field opens for editing. Clear the old name, type the new one, and tap the checkmark or "Save" button. The change takes effect immediately, and you'll see the new name on your channel right away.

What happens to your old name and channel URL

When you change your channel name, YouTube doesn't keep a record of the old name publicly visible. Your videos, playlists, and subscriber count all stay exactly the same — only the name changes. Anyone who was subscribed to you stays subscribed.

If you created a custom channel URL (the kind that looks like youtube.com/@yourname), changing your channel name won't automatically update that URL. You can change your custom URL separately in the same settings area, but you're only allowed to change it once every 90 days. If your custom URL and channel name don't match, that's fine — they're independent of each other.

Things to know before you change your name

There's no waiting period or limit on how often you can change your channel name. You could change it daily if you wanted to, though that would probably confuse your subscribers. YouTube doesn't require you to keep a name for any minimum length of time.

The change is immediate and visible everywhere — your channel page, your comments on other videos, your uploads, everything. If you're worried about how a new name will look, you can always change it back right away. There's no penalty for changing your mind.

If you can't find the settings option

If you're signed into YouTube but don't see a settings option when you click your profile picture, you might not have created a channel yet. YouTube requires a channel to exist before you can customize a name. Click "Create a channel" from the profile menu, choose a name for your new channel, and then you can edit it using the steps above.

If you're on a school or work account, your administrator might have restricted channel creation. In that case, you won't be able to create or rename a channel until those restrictions are removed. Contact your school or workplace IT department if you think this applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my channel name affect my email address or Google Account?

No. Your YouTube channel name and your Google Account name are completely separate. Changing one has no effect on the other, your email address, or any other Google service you use.

Can I change my channel name back to something I used before?

Yes. YouTube doesn't prevent you from reusing old channel names. You can change to a new name and then change back to an old one whenever you want, with no restrictions.

What if someone else took the name I want to use?

Channel names on YouTube don't have to be unique — multiple channels can have the exact same name. You can use any name you want, even if another channel already has it. What matters for identification is your custom URL (if you have one) and your channel ID, which are unique.

Does my custom URL change when I change my channel name?

No. Your custom URL stays the same unless you manually change it. If you want them to match, you'll need to update your custom URL separately. Remember that you can only change your custom URL once every 90 days.

Will my subscribers be notified that I changed my name?

YouTube doesn't send a notification to your subscribers when you change your channel name. They'll see the new name the next time they visit your channel or watch one of your videos.