How to Change Your Name on LinkedIn (and What It Affects)

Whether you've married, divorced, gone back to a maiden name, started using a shorter version of your name or simply fixed a typo, changing your name on LinkedIn is quick. There are a couple of knock-on effects, though: your verification badge, what strangers see, and how former colleagues find you. Here's how to change it and what to check afterwards.

Change your name on a computer

1. Click the Me icon, then View Profile.
2. Click the Edit icon in the top section, to the right of your picture.
3. In the Edit intro box, update First Name and/or Last Name.
4. Click Save.

Change your name on your phone

1. Tap your profile picture.
2. Tap your name.
3. Tap the Edit icon.
4. Update your first and last name and tap Save.

What names LinkedIn allows

LinkedIn's professional identity rules say the name fields should only contain the first, middle and last names of your real or preferred professional name, plus your pronouns if you want to show them. So 'Sarah Jones' or 'Sam Jones' is fine; 'Sarah Jones | Marketing Expert | DM me' isn't. Put your job description in your headline, where it belongs and where it helps people find you.

Keep your old name findable

If you've changed your surname, former colleagues and clients may still search for your old one. LinkedIn has an optional additional name field for a former name, maiden name or nickname, and you can choose who sees it. It's a simple way to stay findable without cluttering your main name.

Your verification badge

If you've verified your identity, LinkedIn says you may need to verify again after a name change, because the verified name has to match your profile name. If your ID still shows your old name, consider waiting until you have updated ID before changing your LinkedIn name, so you don't lose the badge in between.

Your profile URL

Changing your name doesn't automatically change your custom profile address. If your LinkedIn URL includes your old name, update it in your profile settings so it matches, then update the link anywhere you've shared it: your email signature, website, business cards and other social profiles. A mismatched URL isn't a disaster, but it's a small detail that makes a profile look out of date.

Who sees your full name

Who	What they see
Your 1st-degree connections	Always your full first and last name
Non-connections	Your full name, unless you've hidden your public profile and chosen to show just your last initial
Anyone searching	They can still find you by searching your full name

If you'd like strangers to see only your last initial, LinkedIn lets you do that if your public profile is turned off: go to Settings & Privacy, Visibility, and change Last name visibility. Your connections still see everything.

After you change your name

• Update your custom profile URL if it includes your old name.
• Change your name in your email signature and website so everything matches.
• Tell key clients if the change is significant, so they recognise you in their inbox.
• Add your old name in the additional name field if people might search for it.

Timing your name change

If your name change is tied to a life event, think about timing. Updating LinkedIn at the same time as your email address and website keeps everything consistent from day one. If you change your name while you're in the middle of a big pitch or project, a quick note to the client avoids any confusion when a new name appears in their inbox. And if you're verified, updating your ID first means you can re-verify straight away rather than going without a badge for weeks.

Preferred names and shortened names

LinkedIn's rules allow your preferred professional name, so if everyone knows you as Kate rather than Katherine, use Kate. The test is simple: it should be the name people use when they talk to you at work. Nicknames that only friends use, or names with emojis and extra words, are better left out of the name field. If people might search for both versions, use the additional name field for the other one.

Name changes and your business

For a small business owner, your name is part of your brand. Use the same version everywhere: LinkedIn, your website, your email and your other social profiles. If you're rebranding at the same time, my personal brand positioning prompts can help you get the wording right, and my guide to building a personal brand as a consultant covers the bigger picture.

My verdict

Edit intro, update First Name and Last Name, Save. Keep the name field to your actual name, add a former name in the additional name field if people might search for it, and expect to re-verify if you had a badge.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change my name on LinkedIn?

Click Me, then View Profile, click the Edit icon next to your picture, update your first and last name and click Save.

Will changing my name on LinkedIn remove my verification?

You may need to verify again. LinkedIn says the verified name must match your profile name.

Can I add my maiden name on LinkedIn?

Yes. LinkedIn has an optional additional name field for a former name, maiden name or nickname.

Can I put my job title in my LinkedIn name?

No. LinkedIn says the name fields should only include your real or preferred professional name and pronouns.

Can I hide my last name on LinkedIn?

If your public profile is off, you can show non-connections only your last initial. Connections always see your full name.