You can rename your Alexa device in the Alexa app or through voice command
Amazon's Alexa devices come with default names like "Alexa" or "Echo Dot", but you can change what you call yours to anything you want. The easiest method is through the Alexa mobile app on your phone — it takes about two minutes. You can also rename it by speaking a voice command directly to the device, though the app method is more reliable if you have multiple Alexa devices in your home.
The name you choose is purely personal. Some people use room names ("Kitchen Echo"), others use nicknames ("Alexa" stays the same but the device itself might be called "Upstairs Speaker"), and some use descriptive names based on what they use the device for. Whatever you pick, that's what you'll say when you want to address that specific device.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Alexa app, find your device in the Devices tab, and tap the settings gear icon to rename it.
- You can also say "Alexa, rename yourself to [new name]" directly to the device, though the app method works more reliably.
- Device names can be anything you want and don't affect how Alexa functions — they're just labels for your own reference.
- If you have multiple Alexa devices, renaming them by room or function helps you control the right one when giving voice commands.
Renaming through the Alexa app on your phone
Open the Alexa app and tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen. You'll see a list of all your connected Alexa devices. Find the one you want to rename and tap it to open its settings page.
At the top of the device settings page, you'll see the current name with a small settings gear icon next to it. Tap that gear icon. A menu will appear with several options — look for Edit Name or Device Name (the exact wording varies slightly depending on which Alexa device you have). Tap it, delete the current name, type your new name, and tap Save or Done. The change takes effect immediately.
If you don't see the settings gear icon right away, make sure you've tapped on the device name itself, not just the device row. Some devices show the gear icon only after you tap the device card.
Renaming by voice command
You can tell Alexa to rename itself without opening the app. Say "Alexa, rename yourself to [new name]" — for example, "Alexa, rename yourself to Kitchen Speaker." The device will confirm the new name out loud.
This method works, but it's less reliable if you have multiple Alexa devices in the same room, because the wrong device might respond. The app method avoids this problem entirely, so if you're having trouble with voice commands, switch to the app.
What happens to routines and smart home controls when you rename a device
If you've set up routines or smart home automations that target a specific device by name, renaming that device will break those routines. For example, if you have a routine called "Good Morning" that plays music on your "Bedroom Echo", and you rename that device to "Bedroom Speaker", the routine will stop working.
Before you rename a device, check whether you've created any routines or automations that reference it by name. You can see your routines in the Alexa app under the Routines tab. If you find any that mention the device you're about to rename, you'll need to edit those routines after the rename to point to the new device name. It's a quick fix — just open the routine, tap the action that mentions the old device name, and select the device again from the list.
Naming multiple devices so you can control them separately
If you have more than one Alexa device, giving each one a distinct name is essential. When you say "Alexa, play music", every device in your home will try to respond, which creates confusion. If you rename them by location — "Kitchen", "Living Room", "Bedroom" — you can then say "Alexa, play music in the Kitchen" and only that device will respond.
You can also use descriptive names based on what the device does: "Bedroom Speaker", "Kitchen Display", "Garage Echo Dot". The key is making sure each name is different enough that you won't accidentally trigger the wrong device. Avoid names that are too similar, like "Echo 1" and "Echo 2", because Alexa might mishear which one you meant.
Troubleshooting if the rename doesn't stick
Occasionally a rename won't save properly, and the device will revert to its old name. If this happens, make sure your Alexa app is up to date — open your phone's app store (Google Play for Android, App Store for iPhone) and check for Alexa updates. An outdated app sometimes has trouble communicating with the device.
If the app is current and the rename still won't stick, try restarting the device. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot up (you'll see a light ring or hear a startup sound). Then try renaming it again through the app. If it still doesn't work, try the voice command method instead — sometimes one method succeeds when the other fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use special characters or spaces in the device name?
Yes, you can use spaces and most punctuation marks. Names like "Kitchen Echo" or "Alexa-Bedroom" work fine. Avoid very long names (over 20 characters) because Alexa may have trouble recognizing them in voice commands, but simple names with spaces and hyphens are no problem.
Will renaming the device affect my Amazon account or personal data?
No. The device name is just a label — it doesn't change your account, your settings, or anything stored in the cloud. It's purely for your own reference and for controlling which device responds to your voice commands.
What if I rename a device and then forget what I called it?
Open the Alexa app and go to the Devices tab. You'll see the current name of every device listed there. You can also say "Alexa, what devices do I have?" and she'll read them aloud, though she'll use the device names you've set.
Can I change the wake word instead of the device name?
No, those are two different things. The wake word is what you say to activate the device — normally "Alexa", but you can change it to "Amazon", "Echo", or "Computer" in the app settings. The device name is what you call that specific device when you have multiple ones. You can change both, but they serve different purposes.