Your email name, your Google Account name, and your email address are three different things in Gmail, and each has its own process for changing it. Whether you need to update a display name after a legal name change, professionalize an old email identity, or switch to an entirely new address, this guide walks through each scenario step by step.

What Is the Difference Between Your Email Name, Google Account Name, and Email Address?

Before changing anything, understand which element you need to update:

Google Account name is the name associated with your Google or Google Workspace account. It applies across all Google services. Changing it automatically changes your email display name as well.

Email account name (display name) is the name people see when they receive emails from you. You can change it without changing your Google Account name, which is useful if you want a different display name for email than for other Google services.

Email address is your literal address (e.g., you@gmail.com). You can change either or both of your names without affecting it. However, changing the email address itself is restricted for most Gmail accounts.

How Do You Change Your Display Name in Gmail?

Changing your email display name affects only what recipients see in the “From” field. Your email address and Google Account name stay the same. This change must be done from a desktop browser—the Gmail mobile app does not support it.

Follow these steps:

1. Log into Gmail in your browser.

2. Click the gear icon and select “See all settings.”

3. Go to the “Accounts and Import” tab (or “Accounts” depending on your account type).

4. Find the “Send mail as” section and click “edit info” on the right side.

5. Enter your new name and click “Save Changes.”

Your new display name will appear on all future outgoing emails immediately.

How Do You Change Your Google Account Name?

If you want to change your name across your entire Google account—including Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, and all other Google services—update it at the account level. This change automatically updates your email display name in Gmail.

Follow these steps:

1. Log into your Google Account.

2. Click “Personal Info” on the left side.

3. Under the Profile section, click on your name.

4. Click the edit button.

5. Enter your new name and click “Done.”

The change takes effect immediately across all Google services.

Can You Change Your Gmail Email Address, and How?

Changing your actual email address in Gmail is the most restricted option. If your email ends in @gmail.com, you most likely cannot change it directly. Google allows this for some accounts but not others, and there is no public documentation explaining the criteria.

To check whether your account supports it:

1. Log into your Google Account.

2. Click “Personal Info” on the left side.

3. Under the Contact info section, click “Email.”

4. Try to open the “Google Account email” setting. If you can open it, select “edit” and follow the on-screen instructions. If you cannot open it, this option is not available for your account.

If direct editing is not available, your alternative is to create a new Gmail account with the address you want and import your old data:

1. Create a new Gmail account with your preferred email address.

2. Log into the new account and go to Settings > Accounts and Import.

3. Click “Import mail and contacts.”

4. Follow the prompts to sign into your old Gmail account. Gmail will transfer your contacts and old emails, and forward messages from your old address to your new one for 30 days.

After the 30-day forwarding period, update your email address with all contacts, services, and accounts to ensure you continue receiving mail at your new address. For more details on the import process, see our guide on tracking your email response time to stay productive during the transition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Changing Your Name and Email in Gmail