Google has introduced a new feature that allows some users to change their Gmail usernames without creating a new account.
The company described the update as an effort to make email addresses more suitable for professional use.
The change affects the part of an email address that appears before “@gmail.com”. For example, a username such as prettygrl123.1986@gmail.com can be updated to a more formal address like stella.bennet@gmail.com while the account, inbox, and stored data remain unchanged.
In a public statement, Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said the update is meant to give users more flexibility. He wrote:
“2004 was a good year, but your Gmail address doesn’t need to be stuck in it.”
He also added that users should be able to move away from informal usernames “without losing access to their inboxes.”
Under the new system, users can transfer all email history, contacts, and associated services to the updated address. The original email address is retained as an alias, meaning messages sent to either version will still reach the same inbox.
However, Google has placed limits on the feature. Users are allowed to change their Gmail username once every 12 months, with a maximum of three changes overall, according to details shared by the company.
In addition, the feature is currently limited to users in the United States. Google has not confirmed when or whether it will be made available in other countries.
An industry report warned that allowing username changes could weaken spam and phishing protections, as blocked email addresses may be reset into new identities while still linked to the same account. The report noted that this could make it harder for users to rely on email blocking as a defence against unwanted messages.
Despite these concerns, the feature is being viewed by many users as a practical step for improving professional communication, particularly for academic purposes, job applications and formal correspondence.
Google has not announced any further expansion timeline.
