How to Change Your PayPal Username

PayPal accounts have several types of identifying information, and the term 'username' may refer to different things depending on context. Your PayPal.Me link is a personalized URL (for example, PayPal.me/YourName) that others can use to send you money. Your display name is the name shown on your profile and in transaction receipts. Your email address serves as your login credential and primary PayPal account identifier.

Each of these elements can be changed, but each has different rules and limitations. PayPal allows you to change your name and email through account settings. Your PayPal.Me link can be changed once through the PayPal.Me settings page. Your login email address can be updated at any time by adding and then removing email addresses in your account settings. Understanding your PayPal payment options alongside your username settings helps you manage your account fully.

To change the name displayed on your PayPal account, follow these steps using the PayPal website or mobile app:

1. Log in to your PayPal account at paypal.com or in the official PayPal app.
2. Go to your Profile or Account Settings — typically accessible by clicking your name or the gear icon.
3. Select Personal Information or Account Info.
4. Click or tap Edit next to your name.
5. Enter your updated name and follow any identity verification prompts.
6. Save your changes.

PayPal may require identity verification documents — such as a government-issued ID — to process a name change, especially if the updated name differs significantly from your original account name. The verification process typically takes one to three business days.

Your PayPal.Me link is a custom URL used to receive payments. To change your PayPal.Me link:

1. Visit paypal.me in a browser and log in, or access PayPal.Me settings through the PayPal app.
2. Navigate to your PayPal.Me profile settings.
3. Select the option to change your link.
4. Enter your desired new username/link and confirm it is available.
5. Save the change.

PayPal currently allows you to change your PayPal.Me link only once after the initial setup. Choose your new link carefully, because this limit means you cannot change it again if you make a mistake. Your old PayPal.Me link will no longer direct senders to your account after the change is saved. This is different from services like Zelle, which uses your phone number or email as a fixed identifier.

Your login email is your primary PayPal account identifier and acts as your username for sign-in purposes. To change it:

1. Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Go to Settings (gear icon) and select Account Info.
3. Under Email, click Add email address to add your new email.
4. Verify the new email address using the confirmation link PayPal sends.
5. Once confirmed, set the new address as your primary email.
6. Remove the old email address if you no longer want it linked to your account.

You can have multiple email addresses linked to one PayPal account, which makes transitioning to a new address easy. Changing your email does not affect your account balance, transaction history, or linked payment methods. If you want to remove a card from PayPal, that is a separate process handled in your payment methods settings.

PayPal does not charge a fee to update your name, email, or PayPal.Me link. However, as noted above, the PayPal.Me link change is allowed only once. Name changes may require identity document submission and verification, which can add one to three business days to the process.

Always change your username, email, or profile information only through the official PayPal app or paypal.com. Phishing websites may impersonate PayPal's login page to steal your credentials. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your PayPal account if you have not already done so — this adds a significant layer of protection against unauthorized changes. Never share your one-time passcode or password with anyone claiming to be PayPal support.

If you receive an unexpected email claiming your PayPal name or email was changed without your action, report it immediately through PayPal's Resolution Center and contact your bank if any linked financial accounts may be at risk. You may also want to review how to delete your PayPal account if you believe your account has been compromised beyond recovery. Keeping your PayPal payments current and your profile information accurate together is part of good account hygiene that also helps when using PayPal on Amazon.