Change your Instagram account name in three steps

You can change the name on your Instagram account through the app or website in about two minutes. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Name. Type your new name and tap Save. Instagram allows you to change your name once every 14 days, so if you changed it recently, you'll have to wait until that window closes before changing it again.

The name you change here is the display name that appears on your profile — not your username (the handle that comes after the @ symbol). Your display name can include spaces, capital letters, and special characters. Your username follows different rules and requires a separate process if you want to change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name and your username are two different things, and you change them in different places within Instagram settings.
  • Instagram enforces a 14-day waiting period between name changes, so plan ahead if you need to change it multiple times.
  • Display names can include spaces and special characters, but usernames cannot and must be unique across the platform.
  • Changes take effect when ready once you save them, and your followers will see your new name the next time they view your profile.

Where to find the name change option on mobile

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of your profile. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy. Tap Account. Tap Name. The field will show your current display name — delete it and type your new name. Tap Save at the top right.

If you're using an older version of the Instagram app, the menu structure may be slightly different. Look for "Edit Profile" instead of the Settings path above. Tap Edit Profile and you'll see the Name field at the top of the screen. Make your change and tap Done.

How to change your name on Instagram's website

Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings. Click Account in the left sidebar. Click Edit next to your name. Type your new name and click Save. The process is the same whether you're on a computer or mobile browser.

If you don't see an Edit button next to your name, you may have reached the 14-day limit on name changes. Instagram will show you when you're may be able to access to change it again. You can still change other profile details like your bio or profile picture at any time.

Understanding the 14-day waiting period

After you change your display name, you cannot change it again for 14 days. This timer starts from the moment you save the change, not from when you began editing. If you change your name on a Tuesday at 3 p.m., you can change it again on Tuesday of the following week at 3 p.m. or later.

The 14-day rule applies only to display name changes. You can change your username, bio, profile picture, and other profile details as often as you want. If you need to change your name more frequently than every two weeks, you'll need to wait out the timer or use a different account.

Changing your username instead of your display name

Your username (the @handle) is different from your display name. To change your username, go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Username. Type your new username and tap Change. Usernames must be unique — if someone else has already claimed the username you want, you won't be able to use it. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces and special characters are not allowed.

Unlike display names, you can change your username as often as you want, but each change takes effect when ready. If you change your username, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after a short period. Any links to your old username will stop working, so if you've shared your profile link anywhere, you'll need to update those links.

What happens when you change your name

Your followers will see your new name the next time they view your profile. They won't receive a notification that you changed your name. If you have a verified account (indicated by a blue checkmark), your verification status stays with your account regardless of what name you use. Your follower count, posts, and all other account data remain exactly the same.

If you change your display name to something that looks like a different person's account, some of your followers might be confused temporarily. There's no way to notify all your followers at once about a name change, so if the change is significant, you might mention it in your bio or in a post.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If you see a message saying you can't change your name, the most common reason is that you've already changed it within the last 14 days. Wait until the 14-day window has passed and try again. If you're certain it's been longer than 14 days, try logging out and logging back in, or close and reopen the app.

If Instagram won't let you save a name you've typed, it may contain characters Instagram doesn't allow, or it may be flagged as inappropriate. Try removing special characters or numbers and use only letters and spaces. If the name is being rejected for other reasons, Instagram will show you an error message explaining why. You can also try changing your name from a different device or using the website instead of the app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Instagram name back to what it was before?

Yes, you can change your name back to a previous name as long as you wait 14 days between changes. There's no limit on how many times you can use the same name across different 14-day periods. If you change your mind when ready after making a change, you'll have to wait the full 14 days before reverting.

Does changing my name affect my username or handle?

No. Your display name and username are separate. Changing your name does not change your @username. If you want to change your @username as well, you'll need to do that in a different section of your settings. Your username can be changed as often as you want without a waiting period.

Will my followers be notified when I change my name?

Instagram does not send notifications to your followers when you change your display name. They'll only see the new name when they visit your profile. If the change is important, you can mention it in your bio or post about it.

What characters can I use in my display name?

Your display name can include letters, numbers, spaces, periods, hyphens, underscores, and most special characters like parentheses and emoji. Your username, by contrast, can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores — no spaces or other special characters allowed.

Can I have the same display name as another account?

Yes. Multiple accounts can have the same display name because display names are not unique on Instagram. Only usernames (the @handle) must be unique. This is why two different people can both have "John Smith" as their display name but only one can have @johnsmith as their username.