Mac Setup

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Change Mac Name

Your Mac has 7 different names: Computer Name, Hostname, Local Hostname, Username, and more. Here is how to find and change each one. For MacBook, iMac, Mini, Studio, and Pro.

This article is part of a series on Mac Setup.

Changing your Mac name is one step in setting up your Mac. This is part of a complete guide to set up a Mac for software development.

Before you get started

You'll need a terminal application for full control of names on the Mac. Apple includes the Mac terminal but I prefer Warp Terminal. Warp is an easy-to-use terminal application, with AI assistance to help you learn and remember terminal commands. Download Warp Terminal now; it's FREE and worth a try.

Quick answer (for Computer Name)

Open Apple menu > System Settings > General > About > Name. Click the name and type a new one. For full details, see Change Mac Computer Name. But there are six other names and this guide will show you how to change each one.

Why change your Mac computer name

A Mac's default name is combined from your first name (from your Apple ID registration) and the Mac model. For example, "Daniel's Laptop." That name is fine in a small office or classroom where it will be visible on AirDrop or a network. But if you have two computers with the same name, it can be confusing. And if you are in a coffee shop or coworking space, you might want to change it to something impersonal.

Your Mac actually has 7 different names, and which one you need to change depends on what you are trying to do.

Which name do I need to change

Here is a quick guide to help you find the right page:

All 7 Mac names at a glance

  • Computer Name — System Settings > General > About > Name — See the Computer Name guide
  • Hostname — terminal: scutil --get HostName — See the Hostname guide
  • Local Hostname — terminal: scutil --get LocalHostName — See the Hostname guide
  • Apple ID Name — System Settings > Apple Account > Personal Information > Name — See the Username guide
  • User Account Full Name — System Settings > Users & Groups — Username guide
  • Username (short name) — terminal: whoami — See the Username guide
  • User Home Folder — terminal: open /Users/ — See the Username guide

There is one other name, the NetBIOS name, but it is seldom used anymore. It is a holdover from the days when Macs and PCs shared files over a network. If you need to, you can change it in System Settings > Network > Ethernet > WINS > NetBIOS name.

Related guides

Continue setting up your Mac

Don't miss the full visual roadmap and checklist that shows how to set up a Mac for software development, with all the essential tools and settings you might not yet know about.