How to Change the 'From' Name in Your Email

Update your name on Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Yandex Mail, and Zoho Mail

What to Know

  • Gmail: Select the gear icon. Choose Settings > Accounts and import > Send mail as > edit info, enter a new name, and select Save Changes.
  • Outlook: Select your avatar. Choose Edit Profile > Edit name and enter new names in the First and Last name fields. Select Save.
  • Yahoo Mail: Select the gear icon > More Settings > Mailboxes. Choose your account under Mailbox List and edit the Your Name field.

This article explains how to change the "From" name in your email program. These instructions are for five popular email services: Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, Yandex Mail, and Zoho Mail.

Change Your Name in Gmail

When you sign up for a new email account, the first and last name that you enter aren't only for identification purposes. With most email accounts, that first and last name appear in the From field when you send an email by default.

If you prefer to have a different name show up—a nickname or pseudonym, for example—it's easy to change.

Two kinds of names are related to sending mail. The one you can change is the name that appears in the From field. The other is your email address, which usually can't be changed.

To change your display name in Gmail:

  1. Select the Settings gear in the upper-right corner of Gmail.

    The Settings gear in Gmail
  2. Select See all settings.

    The "See All Settings" button in Gmail
  3. Select the Accounts and Import tab.

    Account and Import tab in Gmail Settings
  4. In the Send mail as section, select edit info.

    Edit info in the Send mail as section in Gmail settings
  5. Select the blank field below your current name, then enter a new name.

    Name field in Gmail settings
  6. Select Save Changes.

    Save Changes button in Gmail

Change Your Name in Outlook

When you are logged in to your Outlook.com mailbox, here's the easiest way to change your From name:

  1. Select your avatar or profile picture at the upper-right corner. It might be a generic gray icon of a person or your initials if you have not set a custom profile picture.

    A screenshot of Outlook with the Account icon highlighted
  2. Select Edit Profile. Your profile page opens.

    Alternatively, bypass your inbox and go directly to profile.live.com.

    An Outlook inbox with the 'Edit profile' option highlighted
  3. Select Edit name.

    An Outlook profile page with the 'Edit name' option highlighted
  4. Enter your new name into the First name and Last name fields.

    An Outlook profile page with the 'First name' and 'Last name' fields highlighted
  5. Enter the CAPTCHA and select Save.

    An Outlook user changes their profile name. The Save button is highlighted.

Change Your Name in Yahoo Mail

To change your display name in Yahoo Mail:

  1. Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner and choose More Settings.

    More Settings in Yahoo Mail
  2. Select Mailboxes.

    The Mailboxes heading in Yahoo Mail settings
  3. Select your account under Mailbox List and edit your name in the Your Name field.

    Mailbox management settings in Yahoo. 'Your name' is highlighted.
  4. Select Save.

Change Your Name in Yandex Mail

To change your display name in Yandex Mail:

  1. Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner.

    The Yandex Mail app with the gear icon highlighted
  2. Select Personal data, signature, picture.

    The Yandex Mail app with 'Personal data, signature, picture' highlighted
  3. Type a new name in the Your name field.

    The Yandex Mail app with the 'Your name' field highlighted
  4. Click Save Changes.

Change Your Name in Zoho Mail

To use a different display name in Zoho Mail:

  1. Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner.

    A screenshot of Zoho Mail with the Settings gear highlighted
  2. Select Send Mail As.

    The Zoho Mail app with 'Send Mail As' highlighted
  3. Choose your email account.

  4. Type a new name in the Display name field.

    The Zoho Mail app with the 'Display name' field highlighted
  5. Select Update.

    The Zoho Mail app with the Update button highlighted
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