How to change your name on Instagram

What is an Instagram handle (username)?

Your Instagram handle (also known as username) is your personal ID on Instagram, starting with the “@” symbol (like @businessname). This is how people find, tag, and mention your business account on the platform. 

What is the Instagram display name?

The Instagram display name (commonly known just as the name name) is the signature that appears at the top of your profile, right under your profile picture. 

Unlike your username, there can be more than one account with the same display name, so it can be your real name, your brand name, or anything else that represents you. 

What are the differences between an Instagram username and a display name?

Your username is your unique handle (e.g., @username) that people use for tagging and mentions. It cannot include special characters (like & or #) and is limited to letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.

On the other hand, your display name appears on your profile, is not required to be unique, and allows special characters, emojis, and spaces. It is also searchable, which helps others find your account more easily.

Here are some core differences between your username and display name on Instagram:

Username:

• This is your unique handle (like @yourname) that people use to tag or mention you. It’s your “address” on Instagram.
• You can use up to 30 characters, but only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores are allowed—no special characters like & or #.
• You can change it as often as you like, but keep in mind that changing it frequently might confuse followers.
• The font is fixed; you can’t add any fancy styling here.

Display name:

• This is the name shown on your profile, right under your picture. It doesn’t have to be unique, so you can add keywords or anything that reflects your brand or personality.
• You get 30 characters, and you’re free to use spaces, special characters, and even emojis to make it stand out.
• Your display name is searchable, so adding relevant keywords can help people find you.
• You can change your display name twice every 14 days, so plan ahead if you’re thinking of updating it regularly.

How to choose your Instagram name

Choosing an Instagram username that represents your brand is the way to go if you wanna make a strong first impression. 

You should start by writing down a few ideas that are unique, memorable, and relevant to what you want to share on the platform. If you’re a business owner, the safest way to go is by choosing your business name as a username for your Instagram account. Let your username be the hook that reels in your audience. Make it stand out without being too out there.

If your desired username is already taken, you can always try a slight variation—like adding a location or an underscore between the words. For example, if your coffee place is called Mundi coffee, your Instagram username could be mundi_coffee or mundi_coffee_seattle.

How to change your name on Instagram

Here’s a straightforward guide to changing your Instagram username and display name on both the mobile app and computer:

1. How to change your Instagram username

As previously mentioned, your Instagram username is the unique identifier that people use to tag, search, and identify you on the platform. 

A. How to change your Instagram username on mobile app, iOS or Android device

• Open the Instagram app.
• Tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the app.
• Tap “Edit Profile” (right under your profile picture) to continue with the username change.
• In the Username field, delete your current name and type in the new one. Instagram will let you know if it’s already taken.
• Tap Done (on the iPhone app) or Save (on the Android app) in the top right corner.

B. How to change your Instagram username on computer

If you’re using Instagram on your computer or mobile browser, you have two options for updating your username:

1. Change your Instagram username through the Accounts Center:

• Open Instagram.com and log in if you aren’t already.
• Click on the menu (three horizontal lines) at the bottom left corner, then open the Settings page.
• Press on “See More in Accounts Center,” then go to “Profiles.”
• Select the Instagram profile you’d like to update.
• Click on the username section and make the changes.
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• Once you’ve made your changes, click Done.

2. Change your Instagram username directly on your profile page:

• Go to your profile by clicking your profile picture on the left.
• Click “Edit Profile.”
• Type in your new username and click “Submit.”
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Tip: If you have both Instagram and Facebook added to the same Accounts Center, you can choose to sync your profile info across both platforms for consistency.

2. How to change your Instagram display name

Thinking about giving your Instagram profile a little refresh? Then you can consider changing your display name.

Let’s see how you can update it on both mobile and desktop.

A. How to change your Instagram display name on mobile app

1. Open Instagram on your mobile device and log in if you’re not already.
2. Press on your profile picture in the bottom right corner to access your profile.
3. Tap on the “Edit Profile” button below your profile picture.
4. In the “Name” box, type the new display name you want to use.
5. Press on “Done” or “Save” (depending on your device) to save the changes.

B. How to change your Instagram display name on a computer

Here’s how to update your display name on desktop and sync it across Instagram and Facebook via the Accounts Center:

1. Open Instagram.com and log in if you aren’t already.
2. Click on the menu (three horizontal lines) at the bottom left corner, then go to the Settings page.
3. Select “See More in Accounts Center” and go to “Profiles.”
4. Choose the Instagram profile you want to update.
5. Click on the “Name” section and enter your new display name.
6. Click “Done” to save your changes.

Name change limits and waiting period

Before you go ahead and change your Instagram username, there are some limitations you need to consider first.

How many characters can you have in your Instagram name

Instagram allows up to 30 characters for both your username and your display name. This includes letters, numbers, periods, underscores, and, for the display name, even emojis or special symbols if you want to add some flair.

What type of characters are allowed in your Instagram name

You can use these characters in your Instagram username:

• Any letter from A to Z, lowercase only
• Digits 0 through 9
• A period (.) or an underscore (_) to break up words or create a specific look

Important: Special characters like exclamation points (!), hashtags (#), or dollar signs ($) aren’t allowed in your username. 

Yet, your display name gives you more freedom—feel free to add emojis or special symbols there to make your profile stand out. And you can also use uppercase letters

For example, Wendy’s has simply added a burger emoji in their display name:

Just keep it simple and easy to read, so people can find and remember your profile easily.

How often can you change your name on Instagram

On Instagram, you can change your display name up to twice within a 14-day period. After reaching this limit, you’ll need to wait until the 14 days have passed to make another change.

In contrast, your username can be changed more freely, without a specific limit on the number of changes. However, frequent changes might lead to a review process by Instagram to maintain the authenticity of accounts. 

If you have a large following, Instagram may review the change before it goes live, adding a small delay. Changing your username can help with rebranding, but keep in mind that your followers might need a little time to get used to the new handle

How to change your name without waiting 14 days

Instagram’s 14-day rule on name changes is pretty firm, but you can add your new name in your bio so people still see it. If it’s urgent—like if your account was hacked—reach out to support, but responses aren’t always guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions