How to Change or Remove Your Etsy Public Display Name: A Detailed Guide

Your Etsy public display name is how you’re known to the Etsy community – it’s what customers see when you leave reviews, participate in forums, or sell items. It’s important to choose a name that reflects your brand or personal style, but sometimes, you might find the need to change or even remove it. Perhaps you’ve rebranded, are trying to maintain more privacy, or simply want a fresh start. This guide will walk you through the process of how to adjust your public display name on Etsy, whether you want to tweak it or eliminate it altogether. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions for both desktop and mobile users, offering tips to make the process smooth and seamless.

Understanding Your Etsy Display Name

Before we delve into the process, let’s clarify what your Etsy display name is and its significance:

• Public Facing: Your display name is the name that appears to other Etsy users. It’s visible on your profile, reviews, forums, and in your shop (if you have one).
• Separate from Shop Name: Your display name is separate from your shop name. You can have a shop name that is different from your public profile display name. This provides flexibility for branding and personal expression.
• Impact on Branding: For sellers, your display name can be a part of your brand identity. It should be memorable and represent your business.
• Privacy Considerations: Some users prefer using a pseudonym or nickname as their display name to maintain a degree of privacy.
• Cannot be Completely Removed: While you can change your display name, you cannot completely remove it. Etsy requires you to have some form of identification. You can, however, change it to something generic or neutral if you prefer.

Why Change Your Etsy Display Name?

There are several reasons why you might want to change your Etsy display name:

• Rebranding: If you’re a seller and have rebranded your shop, you might want your display name to align with your new identity.
• Privacy Concerns: You might have initially used a name too closely linked to your real name and want a more generic username.
• A Fresh Start: You may simply want a change and a new name.
• Typographical Errors: Perhaps you made a mistake when setting up your account and want to correct it.
• Account Inactivity: Maybe you’re returning to Etsy after a period of inactivity and your previous name no longer suits you.

How to Change Your Etsy Display Name on a Desktop Computer

Changing your Etsy display name on a desktop computer is straightforward. Here’s how:

1. Log In to Your Etsy Account: Go to the Etsy website (www.etsy.com) and log in using your email address and password.
2. Access Your Account Settings: Once logged in, click on your profile picture or the “You” menu in the top-right corner of the page. From the dropdown menu, select “Account settings”.
3. Navigate to the Public Profile Section: In the account settings menu on the left side, click on “Public profile”.
4. Edit Your Display Name: You will see your current profile information on the right-hand side, including your display name. Next to it there is a button that says “Edit”, click on it.
5. Enter Your New Display Name: A text box will appear in place of your current display name. Type your desired new display name.
6. Save Changes: After entering your new name, click the “Save” button. Your display name will be updated instantly. You may need to refresh the page to see the changes reflected immediately.

How to Change Your Etsy Display Name on the Mobile App

If you prefer using the Etsy mobile app, you can also change your display name with these steps:

1. Open the Etsy App: Launch the Etsy app on your mobile device (Android or iOS).
2. Log In to Your Account: Sign in using your email address and password if you are not already logged in.
3. Go to Your Profile: Tap on the “You” icon, usually located at the bottom right corner of the screen.
4. Access Settings: Scroll down on the profile page and tap on “Settings”.
5. Select Public Profile Settings: In the settings menu, tap on “Public profile”.
6. Edit Display Name: You’ll see your current display name. Tap on the area where it is displayed and then tap the “Edit” button.
7. Enter Your New Display Name: A text box will appear for you to input your new display name. Type in your preferred name.
8. Save Changes: Click the “Save” button located at the top right corner of the screen. Your new display name will be saved, and the app may take a moment to reflect the changes.

Tips for Choosing Your New Etsy Display Name

Choosing the right display name is important, whether you’re a buyer or a seller. Here are some helpful tips:

• Reflect Your Brand: If you’re a seller, your display name should align with your brand. It should give an idea of what you sell, or the style that you represent.
• Keep it Concise: Short and memorable names are easier for people to recall.
• Use a Unique Name: Try to choose a name that hasn’t already been taken on Etsy to avoid confusion.
• Avoid Special Characters: Stick to letters and numbers to ensure your name is easily typed and searchable.
• Maintain Professionalism: Even if you are using a personal account, avoid offensive or inappropriate names.
• Use Keywords: If you’re a seller, you might want to consider incorporating keywords related to what you offer (without making it too long or difficult to pronounce). For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, a name like ‘ElegantJewels’ is descriptive.
• Check Availability: Before settling on a name, check to see if it’s available on other social media platforms you use. Maintaining consistency across various channels can boost your brand recognition.

Can You Completely Remove Your Etsy Display Name?

As mentioned earlier, you cannot completely remove your Etsy display name. Etsy requires all users to have a display name for identification and community interaction. However, if your goal is to hide your personal information, you can change it to something generic or a pseudonym. Some users use names like “User123”, “EtsyShopper” or similar generic names to hide any connection to their real identity. While this doesn’t completely eliminate your display name, it does provide a certain level of privacy by masking your real identity.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Occasionally, you might encounter issues when changing your display name. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:

• Name Not Changing: Sometimes, the changes might not reflect immediately. Try refreshing your browser or clearing your browser cache. If you are using the mobile app, close and re-open it, or clear the app data.
• Name Already in Use: If you choose a name that is already in use by another Etsy user, you will receive an error message prompting you to choose a different one.
• Name Contains Invalid Characters: Etsy may reject names that contain special characters or symbols. Make sure your name is alphanumeric.
• Etsy is Down or Having Issues: Sometimes, you may be unable to change your name because Etsy is experiencing temporary server issues. Wait for a while and try again later.

Important Considerations

Before you finalize your new display name, keep these points in mind:

• Impact on Past Activity: Changing your display name will not alter your past reviews, forum posts, or listings. Your previous actions will still be visible under your new display name.
• Consistency: If you are a seller with a established brand, changing your display name may cause confusion amongst your customers. It’s good to notify your customers on social media or on your shop page of the change beforehand.
• Searchability: Keep in mind that you could become less easily discoverable by your previous display name.
• Etsy Policies: Always adhere to Etsy’s policies and terms of service when choosing your name to avoid having your account flagged.

Final Thoughts

Changing or removing your Etsy display name, or at least changing it to something less personal, is a simple process that you can accomplish on both desktop and mobile devices. Whether you’re rebranding your shop, concerned about your privacy, or simply in need of a change, these easy-to-follow steps should get you there in no time. Remember to choose a name that represents you, or that allows you to maintain your privacy according to your preferences. By keeping these guidelines and considerations in mind, you can ensure a smooth transition and maintain a positive presence on the Etsy platform.

If you encounter any issues during the process, refer to the troubleshooting tips above or contact Etsy’s customer support for further assistance.