Want to rebrand or personalize your social media presence? Learning how to change your Instagram name is a simple but powerful move that can elevate your online identity. Whether you’re starting a business, launching a personal brand, or just giving your account a fresh look, your username (also known as your handle) and display name on Instagram matter more than you think. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to confidently update your Instagram name, maintain your audience, and improve your digital presence.

What’s the Difference Between an Instagram Username and Display Name?

Before you change your Instagram name, it’s essential to understand the difference between your display name and username:

Username (Handle): This starts with “@”, is unique to your account, and appears in your Instagram URL. It’s how people search for or tag you.
Display Name: This appears on your profile just below your profile photo. It doesn’t have to be unique and can include emojis or special characters.

Depending on your goals, you may want to change one, the other, or both.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Instagram Name

Changing your Instagram name is often about growth, clarity, and relevance. Here are some common reasons:

Rebranding your business
Launching a personal brand
Adjusting to life changes (e.g., marriage, career shift)
Making your handle more SEO-friendly
Avoiding confusion with a similar or inactive account

Whatever your reason, updating your name is a quick way to keep your online presence fresh and aligned with your current goals.

How to Change Your Instagram Name (Step-by-Step)

How to Change Your Instagram Username

Follow these steps to change your Instagram username using the mobile app or desktop:

Open the Instagram app or visit Instagram.com and log in.
Go to your profile by tapping the bottom-right profile icon.
Tap Edit Profile.
Under Username, delete your current handle and enter a new one.
Tap Done or Submit to save changes.

Note: If the username you entered is already taken, Instagram will prompt you to choose another one.

How to Change Your Instagram Display Name

From your Instagram profile, tap Edit Profile.
In the Name field, delete and replace your current display name.
Tap Done or Submit.

You can change your display name as often as you like, but usernames can only be changed twice within 14 days.

Best Practices When Changing Your Instagram Name

Before you hit “submit”, follow these best practices to make the most out of your name change:

Keep it relevant: Make sure it reflects your content or brand.
Make it easy to remember: Avoid overly complicated names or special characters.
Use keywords: Incorporate niche or industry keywords if appropriate. Ex: @SocialMediaSarah
Check availability: Cross-reference name availability across other platforms to ensure brand consistency.
Notify your followers: A quick post or story explaining the change will help prevent confusion.

Changing your Instagram name is more than a stylistic update—it’s a strategic move.

What Happens After You Change Your Instagram Name?

Here’s what to expect immediately after you change your name:

Your followers remain intact: You won’t lose any current followers.
Your new URL is updated: Instagram will automatically update your profile link to reflect your new username.
Mentions and tags under your old username remain the same, but they won’t link to your profile unless users update them using your new handle.

If you’re managing a business profile, now is a great time to also update your name in your ViralPulseAI Bio Campaigns for a consistent brand feel across all platforms.

Instagram Name Change Tips for Business Owners

If you’re a business or brand, updating your Instagram name requires a bit more planning:

Audit Before You Rebrand

Think of name changes as part of a broader rebranding. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Check trademark availability.
Secure the same name on other social platforms (Twitter, TikTok, YouTube).
Update business cards, newsletters, links in bio tools, and website references.

Align Your Name Across Platforms

Try to maintain consistency across all social platforms to make it easier for people to find and remember you.

Update Instagram Bio and Contact Info

Once you’ve changed your name, don’t forget to:

Edit your Instagram bio to reflect your new brand voice.
Update your website or email links.
Refresh your Bio Link tool if using one (like the one offered by ViralPulseAI!).

Common Issues When Changing Your Instagram Name

Username Already Taken

Instagram won’t allow you to use a username that somebody else is using. To find an available variation, consider:

Adding industry keywords (“@themarketingninja” instead of “@marketingninja”)
Inserting punctuation or underscores (“@jane_doe” instead of “@janedoe”)
Using words like “official” or location-based IDs

Name Doesn’t Save?

If your new name isn’t saving:

You might’ve hit the 14-day limit for username changes.
There could be a temporary server issue or app bug—try restarting or updating the app.
Ensure your username meets Instagram’s guidelines: no special characters, 30 characters max.

Loss of Search Visibility

After changing your name, your account might temporarily drop in search rankings until Instagram reindexes it. To speed things up:

Post frequently with your new name in captions and hashtags.
Encourage followers to engage and tag your updated handle.
Update your ViralPulseAI social scheduling content to feature your new name.

SEO Benefits of Changing Your Instagram Name

Strategically updating your Instagram username or display name can actually boost your discoverability. Here’s how:

Increased Keyword Relevance: Adding niche-specific keywords to your handle or display name helps with in-app searches.
Brand Consistency: A consistent username across platforms improves your Google search rankings.
User Trust: A clean, professional handle shows you’re active, updated, and trustworthy.

Dos and Don’ts When You Change Instagram Name

To wrap it all up, here’s a quick list of essential dos and don’ts for a smooth transition:

Do:

Choose a clear, relevant, brand-aligned name
Check availability across platforms
Announce the change to your followers
Update cross-channel marketing assets

Don’t:

Use copyrighted or trademarked names you don’t own
Switch usernames frequently—it confuses followers and damages credibility
Forget to test it first—ask