You can change what you call your Alexa device in two ways: the wake word (what triggers it to listen) and the device name (what appears in the app)

The wake word is what you say to start a command — by default it's "Alexa," but you can change it to "Amazon," "Echo," or "Computer." The device name is the label that shows up in your Alexa app and on your device's screen, like "Kitchen Echo" or "Living Room." Most people change the device name to keep track of multiple Alexa devices in their home. Changing the wake word is less common but useful if you have a family member named Alexa or if you prefer a different trigger word.

Both changes happen in the Alexa app on your phone or tablet. The process takes less than a minute for either one, and the change takes effect immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Alexa app, tap the Devices tab, select your device, and tap the settings icon to change the device name to anything you want.
  • To change the wake word, go to the same device settings and look for "Wake Word" — your options are limited to Alexa, Amazon, Echo, or Computer.
  • Device names can be anything and help you identify which Echo or Alexa device you're talking to when you have more than one.
  • Wake word changes take effect immediately, but your device may need a few seconds to restart and recognize the new word.

How to change the device name in the Alexa app

Open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet and tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen. You'll see a list of all your connected Alexa devices. Find the device you want to rename and tap on it to open its details page.

At the top right of the device details page, you'll see a settings icon (usually a gear or three dots). Tap it to open the settings menu. Look for an option that says "Device Name" or just "Name." Tap on it, delete the current name, and type in the new name you want. Tap Save or Done, and the change is immediate — you'll see the new name appear in your device list right away.

You can name your device anything you want. Common choices are "Kitchen Echo," "Bedroom," "Living Room," or "Upstairs." If you have multiple devices, descriptive names make it much easier to know which one you're talking to when you give a command.

How to change the wake word

The wake word is the word you say to make your device start listening. Go back to the device settings in the Alexa app using the same steps above — Devices tab, select your device, tap the settings icon. This time, look for "Wake Word" in the settings menu.

Tap on Wake Word and you'll see four options: Alexa, Amazon, Echo, or Computer. Select the one you want to use. Your device will restart briefly — you may see a light flash or hear a sound — and then the new wake word is active. Test it by saying your new wake word followed by a command, like "Echo, what time is it?"

If you change your mind, you can switch back to any of the four options at any time using the same process. There's no limit to how many times you can change it.

What happens if you change the wake word on multiple devices

If you have more than one Alexa device in your home, each one can have a different wake word. You might set your kitchen Echo to respond to "Alexa" and your bedroom Echo to respond to "Echo," for example. This can be helpful if you want to talk to a specific device without triggering all of them at once.

However, if you use the same wake word on multiple devices in the same room, they may all respond to your command at the same time. In that case, the device closest to you usually processes the command, but it's not may provide. If you have two devices in one room, consider giving them different wake words to avoid confusion.

Troubleshooting: Your device isn't responding to the new wake word

If you changed the wake word but your device still doesn't respond to it, first wait 30 seconds after making the change — the device needs time to restart and register the new word. Then try saying the new wake word clearly and at a normal volume.

If it still doesn't work, check the Alexa app to confirm the change was saved. Go back to the device settings and look at the Wake Word field — it should show your new selection. If it shows the old wake word, the change didn't save. Try changing it again and make sure you tap Save or Done before leaving the settings screen.

If the app shows the correct wake word but your device still won't respond, try unplugging the device for 10 seconds and plugging it back in. This forces a full restart, which usually fixes the issue. After it powers back on and the light ring stops flashing, try the new wake word again.

Changing the name on your device's screen

Some Alexa devices with screens — like the Echo Show — display the device name on the home screen. If you change the device name in the app, the screen updates automatically within a few seconds. You don't need to do anything extra; the app change is all that's required.

If your device has a screen and you want to see the name displayed there, make sure the device name is something you'll recognize at a glance. Short names like "Kitchen" or "Bedroom" work better on small screens than long names like "Kitchen Echo Dot with Alexa."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a custom wake word that's not one of the four options?

No. Amazon limits wake words to Alexa, Amazon, Echo, and Computer. You can't create a custom wake word or use a name that's not on that list. If none of those work for you, the device name is the label you can customize completely.

Will changing the device name affect how I control it with voice commands?

No. The device name is only for your own reference in the app and on the screen. Voice commands always use the wake word, not the device name. You can name your device "Kitchen" but still say "Alexa, turn on the lights" — the wake word stays the same unless you change it separately.

Do I need to tell other people in my home about the new wake word?

Yes, if you change the wake word, anyone else using that device needs to know the new word. If you change it from "Alexa" to "Echo," family members will get frustrated trying to use the old word. It's a good idea to let them know before you make the change.

What if I forget which wake word I set?

Open the Alexa app, go to Devices, select the device, tap settings, and look at the Wake Word field. It will show you exactly which wake word is currently active for that device. You can also just try saying one of the four options — only the correct one will make the device respond.