Can You Change Alexa's Name?

No, but you can change the wake word

By
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
Writer
  • Kaplan University
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog, groovyPost, and many other websites.
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Updated on July 28, 2021
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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  • Voice: Summon Alexa on your Amazon speaker and ask it to change the wake word.
  • App: Open the Alexa app on your mobile device, choose your speaker from the Devices tab, and tap Wake Word to pick a new one.
  • You cannot change Alexa’s name, but you can change the wake word to "Ziggy," "Amazon," "Computer," or "Echo."

This article walks you through changing Alexa’s wake word (what you say to get its attention) on the speaker itself and using the mobile Amazon Alexa app.

Change the Alexa Wake Word on the Speaker

Your Amazon smart speaker, such as Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, is smart enough to help you change the wake word.

  1. Wake your speaker with, “Alexa, change my wake word.” or something similar.

  2. Alexa will respond with, “I can help you change the wake word for this device. Should we do that now?”

  3. If you’re ready to make the change, say “Yes.”

  4. Alexa will respond, “Okay, you can choose from 'Amazon,' 'Computer,' 'Echo,' or 'Ziggy.' Which of these do you like?” Alexa only offers the alternative wake words, not the one that you currently use.

  5. Speak one of the wake word options. Once you make the change, you will have Alexa as an option again should you change it later.

  6. Alexa will let you know, “Okay, you can call me [wake word] on this device in a few seconds.”

Test out your new wake word to make sure it works for you. And you can change it back or to another option the same way on your speaker.

You also have the option to change Alexa's voice from the traditional feminine to a more masculine voice. To do this, say, "Alexa, change your voice." 

Change the Alexa Wake Word on Your Mobile Device

If you have the Amazon Alexa mobile app on Android or iPhone, you can change the wake work there as well. Open the app and follow these steps.

  1. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom and choose Echo & Alexa at the top.

  2. Select your device.

  3. In the General section, pick Wake Word. You can see what the current wake word is below the setting.

    Steps to change the Alexa wake work on the Alexa mobile app.

  4. Tap to choose the new wake word you want to use. Your options are "Alexa," "Amazon," "Computer," "Echo," and "Ziggy." You cannot currently set up a custom wake word. We'll change it from Alexa to Echo in our example.

  5. When you see the pop-up window letting you know updating the wake word may take a few minutes, tap OK.

  6. After the process completes, you’ll see your new wake word in the mobile app. 

    Steps to change the Alexa wake work from Alexa to Echo on the Alexa mobile app.

Go ahead and summon Alexa with the wake word you chose to make sure you like it. You can follow the same steps to change the wake word again anytime.

If you change Alexa’s wake word using your speaker, it will update in the mobile app as well.

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