Change your name in Account Settings
To change the name on your Amazon account, go to Account & Lists in the top right corner of Amazon.com, then select Your Account. From there, click Login & security on the left side. You'll see a section called Name with your current name displayed. Click Edit next to it.
A box will open where you can type your new first and last name. Amazon accepts letters, hyphens, and spaces — but not numbers or special characters like apostrophes in most cases. After you enter your new name, click Save changes. The update takes effect immediately on your account.
This change affects how your name appears on order confirmations, invoices, and your public profile if you use Amazon services like reviews or wish lists. It does not automatically update your payment method or shipping address — you'll need to change those separately if the name on your card or address no longer matches.
Key Takeaways
- Your name updates instantly in Account Settings under Login & security, and the change shows on all future orders right away.
- Amazon accepts letters, spaces, and hyphens in names, but rejects numbers and most special characters.
- Changing your account name does not change the name on your payment method or shipping addresses — update those separately if needed.
- Past orders keep the name they were placed under; only new orders will show your updated name.
- If you cannot edit your name in Account Settings, contact Amazon Customer Service because your account may have restrictions.
When to update your shipping address instead
If you're changing your name because you got married, divorced, or changed your legal name, you may also need to update your shipping addresses. Your account can have multiple addresses on file, each with its own name. When you place an order, you choose which address to ship to, and that address's name prints on the package label.
To add a new address or edit an existing one, go to Your Account and click Your addresses. You can keep old addresses under your old name and create new ones under your new name. This is useful if you're in transition or if different people in your household use the same account.
Updating your payment method name
Your credit card, debit card, or other payment method has a name on it. If you changed your legal name, your card issuer (your bank or credit card company) may have already updated the name on your card, or you may need to request a new card from them. Amazon does not change the name on your payment method — only your bank can do that.
When you place an order, Amazon checks that the name on your payment method matches the billing address you provide. If the names don't match, the payment may be declined. If you've legally changed your name, contact your bank first to update your card, then update your billing address in Amazon to match.
What happens to old orders
Orders you placed before changing your name will still show your old name on the order confirmation email and invoice. Amazon does not retroactively update past orders. If you need to reference an old order and the name on it is different from your current account name, you can still find it in your order history — Amazon links it to your account regardless of what name was used when you placed it.
If you're returning an item from an old order, the return label will use your current account name, not the name from the original order. This is normal and won't cause problems with the return.
If you cannot change your name
Some accounts have restrictions that prevent you from editing your name in Account Settings. This usually happens if your account has had fraud or if Amazon flagged unusual activity. If the Edit button doesn't appear next to your name, or if you get an error when you try to save changes, contact Amazon Customer Service.
You can reach Amazon Customer Service through the Contact Us link at the bottom of any Amazon page. Select the issue related to your account or profile, and choose the option to contact them by phone, email, or chat. Have your account email address and a photo ID ready — Amazon may ask for them to verify your identity before making changes.
Changing your name on a business or seller account
If you use Amazon Business or if you sell on Amazon, changing your name follows a different process. For Amazon Business accounts, the name change still happens in Account Settings the same way, but it affects invoices and purchase orders. For seller accounts, you may need to update your legal business name through Seller Central instead, especially if your business is registered under that name.
If you're a seller and your legal business name has changed, go to Settings in Seller Central and click Account Info. You can update your business name there. Keep in mind that changing your seller name may affect your seller rating and reviews — they stay tied to your seller account even if the name changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my name change to show up?
The change is instant in your account. Your new name appears on order confirmations and invoices for any orders you place after the change. If you're checking your account settings, refresh the page to see the update.
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. Go back to Account Settings, click Edit next to your name, and type your old name. There's no limit to how many times you can change it, though changing it very frequently might trigger Amazon's fraud detection.
What if my name has a special character like an apostrophe?
Amazon's name field rejects most special characters. If your legal name includes an apostrophe, hyphen, or accent mark, try entering it without the special character. If that doesn't work, contact Amazon Customer Service — they may be able to add it manually to your account.
Does changing my name affect my Prime membership?
No. Your Prime membership stays active and attached to your account regardless of what name you use. Your Prime benefits, shipping speed, and video access don't change.
Will my reviews and wish list show my new name?
Yes. Any reviews you've written and your public wish list will display your new name going forward. Old reviews will show the new name too — Amazon doesn't keep a record of what name you used when you wrote them.