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.

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.

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.

To change your display name in Gmail:

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.

  • Select the Settings gear in the upper-right corner of Gmail.
  • Select See all settings.
  • Select the Accounts and Import tab.
  • In the Send mail as section, select edit info.
  • Select the blank field below your current name, then enter a new name.
  • Select Save Changes.

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:

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

Select See all settings.

Select the Accounts and Import tab.

In the Send mail as section, select edit info.

Select the blank field below your current name, then enter a new name.

Select Save Changes.

  • 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.
  • Select Edit Profile. Your profile page opens.
  • Alternatively, bypass your inbox and go directly to profile.live.com.
  • Select Edit name.
  • Enter your new name into the First name and Last name fields.
  • Enter the CAPTCHA and select Save.

Change Your Name in Yahoo Mail

To change your display name in Yahoo Mail:

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.

Select Edit Profile. Your profile page opens.

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

Select Edit name.

Enter your new name into the First name and Last name fields.

Enter the CAPTCHA and select Save.

  • Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner and choose More Settings.
  • Select Mailboxes.
  • Select your account under Mailbox List and edit your name in the Your Name field.
  • Select Save.

Change Your Name in Yandex Mail

To change your display name in Yandex Mail:

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

Select Mailboxes.

Select your account under Mailbox List and edit your name in the Your Name field.

Select Save.

  • Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
  • Select Personal data, signature, picture.
  • Type a new name in the Your name field.
  • Click Save Changes.

Change Your Name in Zoho Mail

To use a different display name in Zoho Mail:

Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner.

Select Personal data, signature, picture.

Type a new name in the Your name field.

Click Save Changes.

  • Select the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
  • Select Send Mail As.
  • Choose your email account.
  • Type a new name in the Display name field.
  • Select Update.

Select Send Mail As.

Choose your email account.

Type a new name in the Display name field.

Select Update.

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