How to Change Your Discord Name (Display Name, Username)

Ask ten people how to change their Discord name and you'll get ten different answers, because Discord has three names and each one lives in a different place. There's the display name people see, the username you log in with, and the nickname you can set inside a single server.

If you run a community, a course group or a fan server, getting this right matters: a clear name helps members recognise you as the person they're meant to ask. Here's each change in turn, following Discord's own help pages and blog.

The three Discord names and which one you want to change

Name	Where people see it	Where you change it
Display name	Across Discord, on your profile and in chats	User Settings, Profiles
Username	Your unique handle	User Settings, My Account
Server nickname	Only inside one server	Per-server profile or the /nick command

Most people who search for this want the display name, since it's the friendly one shown next to your messages. I'll start there.

Changing your Discord display name on a computer

Discord's help says you can change your display name whenever you want. On desktop:

1. Open User Settings with the gear icon at the bottom left.
2. Select Profiles.
3. Edit your display name.
4. Save your changes.

Discord's help says display names must be at least 1 character and no more than 32 characters long. Discord's profile guide uses the label Edit Profiles for the same settings page, which is a good reminder that labels move about a bit between versions.

Changing your display name in the Discord mobile app

On a phone, the route is shorter:

1. Tap the You tab at the bottom right.
2. Tap Edit Profile.
3. Change your display name and save.

Changing your Discord username

Your username is stricter, and it's the one that makes your account unique. According to Discord's help, you'll find it here on desktop: User Settings, My Account, then Edit next to Username. On mobile, go to your profile tab, then Account, then Username.

Discord's help lists some rules to know about before you try:

• Usernames must be at least 2 characters and no more than 32 characters.
• The only special characters allowed are the underscore and the period.
• You can change your username up to 2 times per week.
• Your account has to be verified by email or phone number to claim a new username.

Discord is rolling out its newer username system gradually, so you may see an in-app prompt where an older article describes something different. If a name you want is taken, that's normal, since each username has to be unique.

Changing your nickname inside one Discord server

If you only want a different name in a single community, such as using your business name in a customer server, a server nickname is the neat answer. Discord's help says you can right-click your name in the member list or on a recent message and choose Edit per-server profile, or type /nick followed by the new name.

Whether you can do this depends on the server. Discord says you need a role that has the Change Nickname permission. Its permissions guide describes that permission as one that lets users set their own nickname on the server, different from their username, and it also lets a moderator set a server-specific name for someone else. If you run the community, making roles on Discord shows where those permissions live.

Using a styled display name on Discord

If you want a name that stands out, Discord's profile guide describes Display Name Styles for Nitro members. Open Settings, select Display Name Styles, then choose a font, colour and animation effect, or use Surprise Me for a random one. Discord says the styled name appears on your profile and in direct messages. It's a cosmetic extra, not something you need to change your name.

What other people see after you change your Discord name

Changing a name doesn't hide you from people who already know you. Your friends and server members will simply see the new display name next to your messages from then on. A server nickname only overrides the display name inside that one community, so you can be one thing in your own server and another in a friend's. If you want members to recognise a long-standing account, tell them in an announcement before you switch, because a sudden new name can look like a different person.

It also helps to keep the pieces consistent: the same picture, a similar name, and a short bio that says what you do. Members scanning a busy server decide in a second whether you look like someone worth replying to.

What to choose for a business or creator Discord name

A little thought now saves confusion later:

• Use your real brand or your own name as your display name so members recognise you.
• Keep your username simple and easy to spell, because people may need to type it.
• Use a server nickname when you want a different role-based name, such as Support or Host, in one community.
• Pair your name with a clear picture. My guide to changing your Discord profile picture covers that side.

If you can't change your Discord name

When the change won't go through, check these in order:

• You've already changed your username twice that week, so wait for the limit to reset.
• Your account isn't verified by email or phone number yet.
• You're trying to change a server nickname without the Change Nickname permission.
• The name has characters Discord doesn't allow.

If you've ticked all of those, ask the server's moderators about nickname permissions, or contact Discord's support through its help centre.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my name on Discord?

For your display name, open User Settings, then Profiles on desktop, or tap You then Edit Profile on mobile. Discord says you can change a display name whenever you want.

What's the difference between a Discord username and display name?

Your username is the unique handle tied to your account. Your display name is the friendlier name people see. A server nickname is a third name that only shows inside one server.

How often can I change my Discord username?

Discord's help says you can change your username up to 2 times per week, and your account must be verified by email or phone number.

How do I change my nickname in one Discord server?

Right-click your name and choose Edit per-server profile, or type /nick followed by the new name. You need a role with the Change Nickname permission.

Why can't I change my nickname on a Discord server?

The server's admins may not have given your role the Change Nickname permission. Ask a moderator to check the role settings.