How to Change Your Gmail Name (Sender Name, Account and Address)

Maybe your inbox still shows a nickname from school, a maiden name, or the name of a business you closed years ago. When you email a new client, that name is the first thing they see, so it's worth getting right. The confusing part is that Gmail has three different things you might mean by name, and each lives in a different place.

Below I've separated them out, with the steps Google's help pages give for each, and what happens to emails you've already sent.

The three kinds of Gmail name, side by side

What you want to change	Where it lives	Shows up
The sender name people see in their inbox	Gmail settings, Accounts tab, Send mail as	On emails you send from now on
Your Google Account name	Google Account, Personal info, Name	Across Google products, including your profile
The address itself, before the @gmail.com	Google Account, Personal info, Email	As your sign-in and sending address

Most people want the first one. Google's help points out that the name linked to your Gmail address is separate from your Google Account name, which is why changing one doesn't always change what recipients see.

Changing the sender name in Gmail on a computer

1. Open Gmail in a web browser on your computer.
2. Select the Settings cog at the top right, then See all settings.
3. Open the Accounts and Import tab. On some accounts it's simply called Accounts.
4. Under Send mail as, select Edit info next to your address.
5. Type the name you want people to see.
6. Select Save changes.

For a business, I'd use your real name plus the business name, such as Sam Jones at Bright Bakes. People are more likely to open an email from a person they recognise than from a company label alone.

Why you can't change your Gmail name in the app

Google's help is blunt about this: you can't change your name from the Gmail app. If you're on a phone, open Gmail in your phone's web browser and request the desktop version, or wait until you're at a computer. It's a one-off job, so it's not worth wrestling with a small screen.

Changing your Google Account name

This is the name attached to your whole account, and it appears across Google products. On a computer:

1. Sign in to your Google Account.
2. Select Personal info at the top left.
3. Select Name, then the edit option next to your current name.
4. Make your changes and select Save.

Google says you can change this name as many times as you want, so there's no harm in getting it right.

What happens to old emails after a Gmail name change

Google's help lists a few things that catch people out:

• It can take a few days for a new name to show across all Google products.
• Emails you've already sent keep the name you used when you sent them.
• Anyone who saved you as a contact under your old name will still see the old name on their side, because Google doesn't update other people's contacts.
• Your YouTube channel name and picture don't change with your Google name.

So if a regular client still sees your old name, it's probably their saved contact, not your settings. A quick note asking them to update it sorts that out.

Changing the Gmail address itself

If the problem is the address, not the name, Google now lets some personal accounts swap a gmail.com address for a new gmail.com address. The route is Google Account, Personal info, Email, Google Account email, then Change Google Account email. Google says that if you don't see that option, you can't change the address.

There are limits. Google says you can create a new gmail.com address once every 12 months, and three times in total, for a maximum of 4 addresses including the original. Your old address becomes an alternate address, so mail sent to it still reaches you and you can still send from it.

Choosing a Gmail name that works for business

• Use the name clients know you by, not a handle from years ago.
• Keep it short so it isn't cut off in a phone inbox.
• Match it to your email signature so everything looks consistent. My guide to making your email signature work for your business goes into that.
• Avoid capitals, emojis and symbols that look like spam in a crowded inbox.

Updating your Gmail name after a rebrand or a new surname

Life changes and businesses evolve. If you've married, divorced or renamed your business, change the sender name and the Google Account name on the same day so they match. Then send a short, friendly email to regular contacts explaining the change, so nobody mistakes your new name for a stranger or, worse, a phishing attempt. Update your signature, your website contact page and any booking links at the same time, and you'll avoid that awkward period with three versions of you floating around.

If your new Gmail name isn't showing

• Check you selected Save changes on the Accounts tab.
• Give it a few days, as Google says updates can take time across products.
• Send a test email to a friend who has never saved you as a contact.
• If you send from more than one address, make sure you edited the right one under Send mail as.

Once your name is sorted, it's a good moment to tidy other settings too. I've gathered the most useful ones in my Gmail productivity guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change the name people see when I send a Gmail?

On a computer, go to Settings, See all settings, Accounts and Import, then Edit info under Send mail as. Enter the new name and select Save changes.

Can I change my Gmail name on my phone?

Not in the app. Google's help says you can't change your name from the Gmail app, so use a computer or a web browser.

Will people see my new name on old emails?

No. Google says historical emails keep the name you used when you sent them.

How often can I change my Google Account name?

Google says you can change your name as many times as you want.

Can I change my actual Gmail address?

Some personal accounts can. Google says you can create a new gmail.com address once every 12 months, up to three times, and the old address stays as an alternate.