What "email name" means and what you can actually change
When you want to change your email name, you're usually changing one of two things: your display name (the name that appears when you send messages) or your email address itself (the part before the @ symbol). These are different operations with different steps, and not all email providers let you do both.
Your display name is the easiest to change — it's what recipients see in the "From" line when you send them a message, and you can update it in your account settings in minutes. Your actual email address is harder to change because it's tied to your account login, your contacts' records, and services you've signed up for. Most providers either don't let you change it at all, or they let you add a new address and retire the old one gradually.
This guide covers both, starting with the simpler one. The steps differ depending on whether you use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or another provider, so find your service below.
Key Takeaways
- Your display name (what people see when you email them) is separate from your email address and changes in your account settings, not your password or login.
- Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all let you change your display name in seconds, but the exact menu location differs for each one.
- Changing your actual email address is much harder — most providers don't allow it, and those that do require you to set up a new address and gradually move your contacts over.
- If you change your email address, services you've signed up for (banks, social media, shopping sites) will still send messages to your old address unless you update them individually.
- Before changing anything, write down your current email address and password in case you need to recover your account later.
How to change your display name in Gmail
Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select See all settings, then click the Accounts and Import tab. Under "Send mail as", you'll see your current email address. Click Edit info next to it.
A box will pop up with a field labeled "Name". Delete what's there and type the name you want to appear when you send emails. This can be your real name, a nickname, a business name, or anything else. Click Save Changes at the bottom. The change takes effect immediately on new messages you send.
If you have multiple email addresses set up in Gmail (for example, a work address and a personal one), you'll see more than one entry under "Send mail as". You can set a different display name for each one.
How to change your display name in Outlook or Hotmail
Sign in to your Outlook account and click your profile picture or initials in the top right corner. Select View account or Manage your Microsoft account (the exact wording varies). Click Your info on the left side.
You'll see a field with your current name at the top of the page. Click on it and type the new name you want to use. Click Save. This name will appear on emails you send within a few minutes.
If you use Outlook.com through your work or school, the steps may be slightly different — your organization may have locked down name changes. If you can't find the name field, contact your IT department or help desk.
How to change your display name in Yahoo Mail
Sign in to Yahoo Mail and click the profile icon in the top right. Select Account info. On the left side, click Account, then Personal info.
You'll see fields for your first and last name. Edit these to what you want to appear on your emails, then click Save. The change shows up on new messages you send right away.
Yahoo also lets you set a separate "Nickname" for display purposes. If you want to use something different from your real name, you can set that in the same section.
Changing your actual email address (the harder path)
Most email providers do not let you change your email address after you've created it, because your address is your login and is tied to years of account history. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all fall into this category — once your address is set, it stays that way.
If you absolutely need a different email address, your only real option is to create a new account with the address you want. You can then set up forwarding so messages sent to your old address automatically go to your new one. This keeps you from missing anything while you contact your important services (banks, employers, social media accounts) and update them with your new address.
To set up forwarding in Gmail: go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP > Add a forwarding address. Enter your new email address and confirm it. Then select "Forward a copy of incoming mail to [new address]" and save. In Outlook: Settings > Mail > Forwarding > Turn on forwarding and enter your new address. In Yahoo: Settings > Forwarding > Add forwarding address and follow the prompts.
Keep your old account active for at least three to six months while you're switching over. After that time, you can delete it if you want, but forwarding can stay on indefinitely if you prefer.
What happens to your old email address if you stop using it
If you create a new email address and stop checking your old one, messages will still arrive there — they just won't reach you unless you've set up forwarding. Services you've signed up for will keep sending to your old address until you update them.
The most important ones to update are your bank, credit card company, insurance company, and employer. These send statements, tax documents, and important notices. Social media, shopping sites, and subscription services are next. You can update these one at a time as you remember them, or go through your old inbox and search for "verify your account" or "confirm your email" to find the big ones.
If you delete your old email account, you lose access to password recovery for any service that still has it on file. For this reason, many people keep their old account open indefinitely, even if they don't check it regularly. The storage is usually free.
If you can't find the settings menu on your email provider
Some email providers hide settings in different places or use different names for the same feature. If the steps above don't match what you see, look for a gear icon, a menu icon (three horizontal lines), or a "Settings" link. These are usually in the top right or top left corner of the page.
If your email is through your workplace or school, your organization may have restricted access to these settings. Contact your IT help desk or IT support email address — they can change your display name for you or tell you whether it's allowed.
If you're using email on your phone through an app (like the Gmail app or Outlook app), the settings are usually in a different place than on the website. Open the app, look for a menu or settings option, and search for "name" or "profile". The phone app may not let you change your display name at all — in that case, make the change on the website version and it will sync to your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my display name affect my password or login?
No. Your display name is completely separate from your password and the email address you use to sign in. Changing your display name does not change how you log in or affect your account security in any way.
Can I change my email address without creating a new account?
Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo do not offer this option. If you need a different email address, you must create a new account. You can then set up forwarding so you don't miss messages sent to your old address while you update your contacts and services.
If I change my display name, will my old emails show the new name?
No. Emails you've already sent will continue to show the name you used when you sent them. Only new emails going forward will show your updated display name. The same is true for emails in your inbox — they'll show the sender's name as it was when they sent the message.
How long does it take for my new display name to show up?
Usually within minutes on new messages you send. Sometimes it can take a few hours for the change to fully sync across all of a provider's servers, but most of the time you'll see it immediately on your next email.
What if I share my email account with someone else?
If two people use the same email account, changing the display name changes it for both of you on all outgoing messages. If you need separate names, you'll need separate email accounts. You can set up forwarding between them so both people see all incoming messages.