Are you looking to change IG name but not sure where to start? Whether you’re rebranding your personal profile, fine-tuning your business identity, or simply ready for a fresh digital identity, updating your Instagram handle is an essential step. But it can be confusing if you’ve never done it before. Luckily, this guide is here to break it down for you in simple, actionable steps. We’ll explore how to change your Instagram username effectively, the best practices to follow, and what to avoid. Whether you’re a beginner or a business owner, this post will ensure you understand the process inside and out.

Why You Might Want to Change Your IG Name

Your Instagram name—both your name and username (or handle)—is a big part of your personal or brand identity online. Here are a few reasons you might think about changing it:

Rebranding your business: Maybe you’ve outgrown your old brand or chosen a new business direction.
Personal life changes: A new name after marriage, launching a new project, or a want for a more professional username.
Improving discoverability: You might choose a simpler, keyword-optimized username to help more people find you.
Consistency across platforms: Aligning your IG name with your usernames on other social media platforms.

No matter the reason, having the right name can improve your visibility, boost engagement, and support your long-term social media strategy.

Understanding the Two Types of Instagram Names

Before diving into how to actually change your IG name, it’s important to clarify the difference between:

Username: This is your handle—the one that starts with “@”. It’s how people tag and find you on the platform.
Name: This is the display name that appears in your bio. It can include anything and is more flexible than your username.

Both can be customized, and both affect how your profile is perceived and found in searches.

How to Change Your IG Name on Mobile

Changing your Instagram name via the mobile app is straightforward. Just follow these simple steps:

Step-by-Step Instructions

Open the Instagram app.
Tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
Tap Edit profile.
Tap either the Name or Username field.
Enter your desired new name or username.
When you’re finished, tap Done or the checkmark to save.

Note: Changing your username will also change your profile’s URL, and it may disrupt third-party logins or tag links.

How to Change IG Name on Desktop

If you’re managing your Instagram account from a browser (ideal for business accounts or professional workflows), here’s how to update your name:

Go to instagram.com and log in.
Click on your profile image in the top-right corner.
Select Profile.
Click Edit Profile.
Edit your Name or Username fields.
Click Submit.

Easy, right? The platform updates your changes immediately unless the name is already taken.

Limitations & Things to Watch Out for When You Change IG Name

While modifying your Instagram identity is simple, there are a few caveats:

Username Availability: Your desired username must be unique and conform to Instagram’s guidelines.
Two-Week Cooldown: You might have to wait up to 14 days to revert to a previous username.
Profile Reach Impact: Changing your name might temporarily affect your reach or search visibility.
Link Validity: If your username is used in external links, such as websites, you’ll need to update those manually.

Pro Tip:

Before making any big changes, notify your followers, especially if you’re managing a brand. That’s an opportunity to boost transparency and increase trust. A quick post or story explaining the switch can go a long way.

Best Practices for Choosing a New IG Name

Picking the right name is about more than just creativity. Follow these best practices to make sure your new name works for you:

Keep it simple: Avoid underscores, numbers, or complex spelling that make you hard to search.
Make it memorable: Go for a name that sticks in a user’s mind.
Include keywords: If you’re a business, consider adding key industry terms to help with discoverability.
Stay consistent: Use the same handle (or a variation) across platforms for brand recognition.
Check availability: Ensure the name is available on Instagram AND other social platforms/domains.

Need help with finding a unique and effective Instagram name? Our AI tools at ViralPulseAI can generate professional, brand-aligned usernames in seconds. Just request the service.

How Often Can You Change Your Instagram Name?

You can change your IG name (display name) as often as you’d like. However, for usernames:

You can only make changes every 14 days. That includes switching to a previous name.
Instagram may lock unavailable usernames temporarily, making it hard to reuse them immediately.

Plan carefully and always double-check before making any changes.

What Happens After You Change Your IG Username?

Here’s what to expect once you’ve updated your handle:

New Profile URL: This changes instantly. If your old handle was @brandname, any links to instagram.com/brandname will no longer work.
Previous Tags: Any posts where others tagged your old username won’t update automatically.
Search Rankings: It might take some time for your new username to appear in searches.

Action Point:

Immediately update all references to your IG handle—on websites, emails, digital signatures, and product packaging.

Protecting Your Brand After a Name Change

To ensure your audience finds and trusts your new name:

Make an Announcement: Use Stories, Reels, or a main feed post to inform your audience.
Use Highlights: Create a permanent highlight around your rebrand or username change story.
Monitor Mentions: Watch for missed tags or mentions using your old handle.
Track Analytics: Monitor performance data post-change to see any variations in engagement.

If you’re using AI-driven analytics from ViralPulseAI, you’ll get real-time reports that help you adjust your strategy.

What to Do If Your Desired Username is Taken

It’s common to run into this hurdle. Here’s what you can do:

Try a variation: Add a location, a niche keyword, or abbreviations that still make sense (e.g., @brandnameNYC).
Use your website domain: If you own brandname.com, try using @brandnamecom.
Adapt your nature of business: For example, @brandname.studio or @brandname.market.

Still stuck? Try our Username Generator to find clean, available handles that connect with your audience.