The two places where your name appears in Gmail

Your Gmail address itself — the part before @gmail.com — cannot be changed. If you need a different email address, you have to create a new Gmail account. But the display name, which is what people see when you send them a message, can be changed in seconds.

When someone receives an email from you, they see your display name in their inbox and at the top of the message. This is separate from your Gmail address. You can change your display name as many times as you want, and it does not affect your account security or any of your emails.

There is also a Google Account name, which is different from your Gmail display name. This appears in Google services like Google Drive and Google Photos. You can change both independently.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Gmail display name is what people see when you send them an email, and you can change it anytime from Gmail Settings.
  • Your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) cannot be changed — you would need to create a new account if you need a different address.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your emails, contacts, or account security.
  • If you use Gmail for work or school, your organization may have locked this setting and you may need to contact your IT department.

How to change your Gmail display name

Open Gmail and click the gear icon in the top right corner. Select See all settings. Click the Accounts and Import tab. Under "Send mail as", you will see your current display name in parentheses next to your email address. Click Edit info next to it.

Type your new name in the "Name" field. You can use any name you want — it does not have to match your legal name. Click Save Changes at the bottom. The next email you send will show your new display name.

If you have set up multiple email addresses to send from in Gmail (called "Send mail as"), each one can have its own display name. Edit each one separately if you want them to be different.

Changing your Google Account name instead

Your Google Account name is different from your Gmail display name. It appears in Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Calendar, and other Google services. To change it, go to myaccount.google.com and click Personal info on the left side.

Click on your name at the top. You can edit your first and last name separately. Click Save. This change takes effect immediately across all Google services, but it does not change your Gmail display name unless you want to update that separately.

Some people keep their Google Account name formal (for Drive and Calendar) and their Gmail display name casual (for emails). You can do both.

What happens when you change your name

All your existing emails stay in your account and are not affected. Your contacts do not get notified of the change. The new name appears only on emails you send after the change — old emails you sent before will still show your old name.

If someone has your email address saved in their phone or contacts, they will see your new name the next time you email them (because Gmail shows the current display name). But their saved contact entry will not update automatically — they would have to edit it themselves if they wanted to.

If you cannot change your name

If the "Edit info" button is grayed out or missing, your Gmail account is likely managed by an organization — a school, employer, or other institution. In that case, your administrator has locked the setting. Contact your IT department or help desk to request a name change.

Some organizations allow name changes through a self-service portal. Ask your IT contact whether you can make the change yourself or whether they need to do it for you.

Changing your name on a phone or tablet

Open the Gmail app and tap your profile picture in the top right. Tap Manage your Google Account. Go to the Personal info tab. Tap your name and edit it. Tap Save.

If you want to change only your Gmail display name (not your Google Account name), open Gmail, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down and tap Settings, then tap your email address. Tap Name and edit it. The exact steps vary slightly between Android and iPhone, but the settings are in the same places.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Gmail address?

No. Your Gmail address (the part before @gmail.com) is permanent and cannot be changed. If you need a different email address, you have to create a new Gmail account. You can set up forwarding from your old account to your new one so you do not miss messages.

Will my contacts see my old name on old emails I sent them?

Yes. Emails you sent before the name change will still show your old name when they open them. Only new emails you send will show your new name. Your contacts will see the new name on future emails.

Can I have different display names for different people?

No. Everyone who receives an email from you will see the same display name. If you need to send emails under different names, you would need to create separate Gmail accounts.

Does changing my name affect my password or security?

No. Your password stays the same, and changing your display name does not affect your account security in any way. You do not need to sign in again or change anything else.

What if I set up Gmail through my workplace?

Your organization controls whether you can change your name. Contact your IT department or help desk. They can tell you whether the setting is locked and how to request a change if it is.