How to change Instagram name

Every Instagram account has a username, also commonly referred to as a "handle" or "nick." This username also forms the account's address and serves as the login credential for Instagram. Consequently, during registration, the username is checked for uniqueness and must consist only of numbers, uppercase or lowercase Latin letters, and may also include dots and underscores. The length is limited to 30 characters. Due to these restrictions, it can be quite challenging to come up with a short and unique nickname that reflects the owner's personality. However, the social network administration has accounted for this and allows users to specify an additional, easily readable name. This name is located below your account's avatar. In this article, we will thoroughly explain how to change your name on Instagram, detailing the difference between "username" (login) and "name" (display name), as well as common limitations and errors when changing a nickname. This material will be useful for both newcomers who have just registered on the social network and experienced users who wish to update their profile.

What are a Username and Display Name on Instagram

Before proceeding with the instructions, it's crucial to understand the difference between two concepts: "username" and "name." Many users confuse them, leading to misunderstandings.

Username (handle, login):

This is the unique identifier for your account.
It appears in your profile link: instagram.com/your_username.
It is used to log into your account along with your password.
It can only contain Latin letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), periods (.), and underscores (_).
It must be unique – you cannot register a username that is already taken by another user.
It is displayed on your profile below your avatar, but in some places, it might be hidden.

Display Name (your name):

This is an additional name visible below your avatar.
It is not used for logging in and does not affect your profile link.
It can contain Cyrillic letters, spaces, punctuation, and emojis.
It does not have to be unique – different users can have the same display name.
Length – up to 30 characters.
This is what followers see in their news feed and subscription list.

Example: You registered the username "ivan_petrov_1990" (login). And in the "Name" field, you wrote "Ivan Petrov." Your followers will see "Ivan Petrov" in their feed, and your profile link will be instagram.com/ivan_petrov_1990. If you change your display name, the link will not change. If you change your username, the link will also change.

Why you might need to change your name on Instagram

There can be various reasons for changing your username or display name.

Reasons to change your username (login):

You came up with a shorter and more memorable nickname.
Your current nickname was inappropriate or provocative, and you want to correct it.
You changed your brand or channel niche.
You made a mistake during registration and want to correct a typo.
You want to unify your nickname across all platforms (Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch).

Reasons to change your display name:

You want your followers to see your real name.
You got married and changed your surname.
You want to add your business name to your display name.
You are simply tired of your old name.

How to change your name on Instagram: a step-by-step guide

Regardless of the operating system (Android, iOS), the process of changing your profile name is the same everywhere. The process takes no more than a minute.

Step-by-step instructions for the mobile app

First step. You need to go to your profile page. To do this, open the Instagram app and tap on your avatar icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Second step. On your profile page, find the "Edit Profile" button below your avatar. It is usually located below the number of posts, followers, and following.

Third step. Tap this button. The profile editing window will open.

Fourth step. In the opened window, you will see two input fields: "Name" (this is the display name that followers see) and "Username" (this is your login and profile link).

Fifth step. To change your display name, tap on the "Name" field and enter a new name. You can use Cyrillic letters, spaces, punctuation marks, emojis. The maximum length is 30 characters.

Sixth step. To change your username (login), tap on the "Username" field and enter a new nickname. You can only use Latin letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), periods (.), and underscores (_). No spaces. The maximum length is 30 characters. The system will automatically check if the new username is available. If the username is taken, you will see the message "Username already taken." In this case, come up with another option.

Seventh step. After you have entered the new data, tap on the checkmark in the top right corner (iOS) or the "Save" button (Android).

Eighth step. Done! Your name and/or username have been changed. The changes take effect immediately.