How to Change Gmail Name on Mobile and PC

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By default, Gmail uses your Google account’s name as the sender’s name for emails. However, you can easily change the Gmail name from both your computer and mobile phone, as this tutorial demonstrates.

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Also read: How to Efficiently Share or Send Google Docs via Email

What’s the Difference Between Gmail Name and Username

Before proceeding to the tutorial, you should understand the difference between your Gmail name and username. Your Gmail name acts as an identifier for you, the person sending the email, and appears next to the messages sent from your Gmail account. The recipient sees that name on the emails they receive from you. On the other hand, your Gmail username is actually your Gmail email address. Gmail usernames, aka email addresses, are unique, but that’s not the case with Gmail names.

Changing the name in Gmail will only change the Gmail’s display or sender name and will not affect its username. For instance, if I change the Gmail name for m@gmail.com account, only the display name will change as shown below:

<Mehvish> m@gmail.com changes to <Mehvish Mushtaq> m@gmail.com

Now that you know the difference between Gmail names and Gmail usernames, let’s check out the methods to change your Gmail name.

Also read: How to Create a Gmail Desktop App

1. Change Gmail Name From Web

This method allows you to change your Gmail name from a computer. Once you change the name on the Web, it will reflect in the Gmail mobile apps as well. Changing the Gmail name as shown below will not affect other Google services.

  1. Open the Gmail website and log in to your account.
  1. Click on the “Settings” icon at the top and go to “See all settings.”

  1. Select the “Accounts and Import” tab at the top.
  2. Scroll down and click on “Edit info” next to “Send mail as.”

  1. Type a new name in the text box in the new window that opens, then click on the “Save changes” button.

  1. You will see the new name next to the “Send mail as” after the window closes automatically. All emails will be sent using the new name from the Gmail web version and mobile apps (Android and iPhone).

  1. To test whether this is the case, log out of your Gmail account, then log back in and send a test email. It should be sent via the new name.

Note: to revert to the Google account name, repeat the above steps and select the original name in step #5.

Also read: How to Set the Mail App to Delete Gmail Instead of Archive

2. Change Gmail Name via Apple Mail App on iPhone

If you’re logged in with Gmail in the Apple Mail app on your iPhone or iPad, you have to change the Gmail name via the Mail app settings.

  1. Open “Settings” on your iPhone.
  2. Go to “Mail” then “Accounts.”

  1. Tap on “Gmail” and select the desired. account.

  1. Delete the existing name in the “Name” field and enter a new one.
  2. Tap on “Done.”

Note: the name change applies only to emails sent via the Apple Mail app. Similarly, you have to check and change the name in other third-party email apps you use.

Also read: Help! I Am Locked Out of My Google Account

3. Change Gmail Name by Changing Google Account Name

If you want to change your name across all Google services like Gmail, Google Meet and Play Store, you have to change the name in your Google account profile. It’s possible to do so from PC, Android, or iPhone as shown below.

PC

  1. Log in to Gmail on the Web.
  2. Click on the profile picture icon at the top.
  3. Go to “Manage your Google account.” Alternatively, go to myaccount.google.com and log in to your Google/Gmail account.

  1. Click on “Personal info.”

  1. Scroll down on the “Basic info” screen and click on the “Name” field.

  1. Click on the “Edit” icon next to “Name.”

  1. Delete the existing text from the “First Name” and “Last Name” fields and enter a new name. Click on the “Save” button to change your name across all Google products.

Tip: to check your Google name, hover your mouse over the Google account picture in Gmail at the top right. Your name and email ID should pop up.

Also read: 6 Best Tips to Protect Your Gmail Account Security

Android

  1. Open “Settings” on your Android phone.
  2. Scroll down to “Passwords and accounts” and tap on this option.

  1. Select the desired Google account. On Samsung Galaxy phones, go to “Settings -> Accounts -> Manage accounts” to select your Gmail account. At this stage, it may also be handy to know how to manage multiple Gmail accounts.
  1. Tap on “Google account.”

  1. Tap on the “Personal info” tab at the top.

  1. Scroll down and tap on “Name.”
  2. Press the “Edit” icon next to your name and add the new name. Hit the “Save” button.

If you have only one Google account added to your Android phone, go to “Settings -> Google -> Manage your Google account -> Personal info -> Name” to change the name.

  1. Alternatively, you can go through the Gmail app by tapping on your profile picture in the upper-right corner. Select “Manage your Google account -> Personal info” and follow steps #6 onward as outlined above.

Also read: How to Solve “You’ve Tried to Sign in Too Many Times” Error in Gmail

iPhone

On an iPhone, you can change the Google account name via the Gmail app only.

  1. Install and open the Gmail app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on the three-bar icon at the top.

  1. Scroll down and go to “Settings.”
  2. Tap on your Gmail account, then on “Manage your Google Account.”

  1. Go to the “Personal info” tab and press the “Name” option.

  1. Tap on the “Edit” icon next to “Name” to add the new name. Press the “Save” button to confirm the change.

Also read: How to Automatically Forward Text Messages to Email or Cloud on Android

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if Gmail still shows the old name?

If Gmail continues to use your old name, clear the cache and cookies on your PC’s browser. Also, clear the cache for the Gmail app on your Android or log out of your Gmail account and log back in. Lastly, check your contact card on your iPhone and change the first and last names in it.

How many times can you change your Gmail name?

Google doesn’t put any restrictions on the number of times you can change your name. However, it would be wise to wait a while before attempting to change your name again.

Can I change my username or address in Gmail?

You cannot change your Gmail address, but you can create a new Gmail account to get the username you desire (if it’s available, of course). Then, transfer emails, contacts and other data to the new account. Once you’re done, delete the old Gmail account.

All screenshots by Mehvish Mushtaq

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Mehvish Mushtaq

Mehvish is a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she’s always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She’s been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps.

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