wrong name associated to my email

Question

When I type my email address in the “To” field in Outlook Web, it shows an incorrect full name next to it. In my account settings, my display name is already set correctly, but Outlook still suggests the wrong name.

Answer 1

Hey there, Bobby Jackson

How long ago did you update your information on your profile page. Sometimes this can take time to update on the servers. Generally around 24 to 48 hours. Please can you tell me what it is displaying instead, a nickname or a different name?

Thanks,
Nathan

Answer 2

In Outlook and Outlook.com, the name shown next to an email address usually comes from one of these sources:

1. The sender’s own display name setting for that account.
2. A contact or cached entry stored in the recipient’s mailbox.

The provided context only covers how to change the display name on the sender side in Outlook clients. If the incorrect name is coming from the sender’s account configuration, it must be corrected there.

For Outlook for Windows (classic):

1. Open classic Outlook.
2. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
3. Select the email account and choose Change.
4. On the Account Settings screen, update the Your name field to the correct full name.
5. Select Next, then Close.

Note: If the account type is Microsoft Exchange, only the Exchange administrator can change the display name for that mailbox.

For Outlook for Mac:

1. Go to Tools > Accounts.
2. Select the account to update.
3. Under Personal Information, update the Full Name field.

After the sender’s display name is corrected, new messages sent from that account will carry the updated name. Existing cached entries or contacts on the recipient side may still show the old name until those are cleared or updated.

---

References:

• Change the display name that email recipients see in classic Outlook
• Change the display name recipients see in Outlook for Mac