Editing your email display name changes the name recipients see, not your actual email address. Gmail has a direct setting for this; Outlook steps depend on your client version.
How to edit your email name means one of two things: changing the name your recipients see in their inbox, or changing the email address you use to log in. The steps and available options depend entirely on your provider—Gmail, Outlook, or another service—and your specific account type.
Changing Your Display Name in Gmail
Changing your display name in Gmail only affects the name shown next to your email address in recipients’ inboxes. It is a quick, reversible change and does not alter your login credentials or the email address itself.
Open Gmail on a computer. Click the Settings gear icon, then See all settings. Navigate to the Accounts and Import tab. Under Send mail as, click Edit info. Enter your new name into the field and click Save changes.
This process is explicitly documented on Gmail’s official change display name instructions. The change is immediate and applies to all future messages sent from the web interface.
Can You Change Your Gmail Email Address?
Yes, some Google Accounts allow you to change the actual email address you use to sign in. This is a more fundamental change that affects your entire Google Account rather than just your sender name.
On an Android device, visit myaccount.google.com/google-account-email. Tap Personal info > Email > Google Account email, then tap Change Google Account email if the option is available. Enter a new username that is not already in use, tap Change email, then confirm with Yes, change email. After the change completes, your old email becomes an alternate email address on the account. Google states that if you do not see the option to change it, “it might not be possible” for that account.
Changing Your Display Name in Outlook
Outlook’s display name settings are the most fragmented, varying widely between the classic app, the new app, and server-managed accounts. The method you use depends almost entirely on which version you run and what type of account you have.
For Classic Outlook for Windows: Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Select your email account and click Change. Edit the Your name field to the new display name, then click Next and Close. You can send a test email to yourself to confirm the new name appears.
For New Outlook for Windows or Outlook.com accounts: The display name is not configurable by the user within the application. Microsoft explicitly states the name is set server-side. You may need to change it through your Microsoft account online.
For Microsoft Exchange accounts (common with businesses and schools): The display name is stored in Active Directory. You cannot change it yourself—you must contact your Exchange administrator to request the update.
Display Name Settings at a Glance
| Provider / Client | How to Change Display Name | Key Limitation or Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail (Web) | Settings > Accounts > Edit info | Only changes the sender name, not the email address |
| Google Account | Account settings > Personal info > Email | Option is not available for all accounts |
| Classic Outlook (Win) | File > Account Settings > Change > Your name field | Works for POP/IMAP; Exchange accounts require an admin |
| New Outlook (Win) | Not user configurable | Server-side setting only; no client edit available |
| Outlook.com | Not user configurable in app | Must use Microsoft account settings online |
Changing Display Name on Other Email Providers
The process is generally similar across webmail services, though the exact menu labels differ. For example, one.com Webmail users open Settings, find the Display name field under General, click Edit, type the new name, and Save. If your provider is not Gmail or Microsoft, look for a Display name or Sender name option in your account or settings menu.
Why Isn’t My Outlook Display Name Changing?
If you have followed the steps for classic Outlook but the name is still showing the old one, your account type is likely the culprit. Outlook.com and Microsoft Exchange accounts pull the display name from the server, not the local client settings. For Exchange users, this requires an administrator to update Active Directory. For Outlook.com users, the setting must be changed through the account website rather than the application.
Common Questions About Email Name Changes
| Question | Quick Answer |
|---|---|
| Does changing my display name change my email address? | No. It only changes the name recipients see when you send mail. |
| Can I change my Gmail address? | Only if the “Change Google Account email” option appears in your account settings. |
| Can I change my display name in the Gmail mobile app? | No, the setting is only available on the Gmail web version. |
| Why is my old name still showing in Outlook? | Your account is likely an Exchange or Outlook.com type managed by the server or an admin. |
Editing Your Email Name: The Key Distinction
Editing your display name or changing your email address are fundamentally different actions. The display name is a simple client-side setting that dictates what others see in their inbox. Changing the actual email address is a server-level account action with strict eligibility requirements. Before you follow any steps, confirm exactly which change you are trying to make, then match your goal to the correct procedure for your specific provider and client version.
References & Sources
- Google. “Change the name on your Gmail account.” Official steps for editing the Gmail sender display name.
- Google. “Change your Google Account email.” Official steps for changing the Gmail/Google account email address.
- Microsoft. “Change the display name that email recipients see in classic Outlook.” Official steps for editing the Outlook display name in the classic client.
- Microsoft Learn. “How do I change my display name on emails?” Covers Exchange and New Outlook display name limitations.
- one.com. “Change your display name in Webmail.” Example steps for a non-Gmail/Outlook provider.