Amazon’s voice assistant keeps us up to date and connected with our favorite news, sports, music, podcasts, games, and even our friends and families. Having a blue day? Ask for a corny joke to turn that frown upside down.
Alexa has a lot to offer, sure, but her listening ears can get incredibly annoying at times. For instance, she may light up and start listening for a command when a commercial about Alexa comes on TV or when someone talks about a friend named Alexis. The assistant sometimes interprets those everyday situations as commands.
One way to avoid this is by changing Alexa’s name.
Here’s how to change Alexa’s wake word
These instructions assume the Echo device currently uses the default “Alexa” wake word.
Step 1: Open the Amazon Alexa app.
Step 2: Tap the Devices tab at the bottom.
Step 3: At the top, scroll to select All Devices.
Step 4: Select your Echo device on the resulting list.
Step 5: Scroll down and select Wake Word.
Step 6: Change your wake word to either Amazon, Echo, or for Star Trek fans, Computer!
The new name for Alexa will only work on this individual Echo device. To change Alexa’s name on any other Echo device, tap the back button, select any other Echo devices, and repeat the steps outlined above.
Change Alexa’s name by using a verbal command
These instructions assume the Echo device currently uses the default “Alexa” wake word.
Step 1: Say “Alexa, can you change your name?” or “Alexa, can you change your wake word?”
Step 2: Alexa will respond by saying, “I can help you change the wake word for this device. Should we do that now?” Respond with a “Yes.”
Step 3: Alexa will respond by saying, “OK, you can choose from Amazon, Computer, or Echo. Which of these do you like?” Speak the name you wish to use.
Step 4: Alexa will respond by saying, “OK, you can call me [name] on this device in a few seconds.”
As indicated, you can use the new wake word after a few seconds. If you chose “Computer,” now is a good time to use your best Picard or Kirk voice!
Further reading
Here’s how to get Alexa to call you a different name
In addition to (or instead of) changing Alexa’s name, you might want Alexa to call you a shortened version of your name or a nickname everyone calls you. Maybe your friends call you Rob instead of Robert, for instance. Perhaps you just want Alexa to call you Captain or any other fun name you can come up with. Here’s how you can get Alexa to call you a different name.
Step 1: Open the Amazon Alexa app.
Step 2: Tap the Communicate tab located at the bottom.
Step 3: Tap the little person icon in the upper right corner to access your profile.
Step 4: On the following screen, tap My Communication Settings, shown under your name.
Step 5: Tap on Edit in the upper right corner.
Step 6: Change your first name to whatever you’d like.
Step 7: Tap Save in the top right corner to finish.
Step 8: Test out your new name by asking, “Alexa, what’s my name?” She will respond by saying, “I’m talking to [new name]. This is [account owner]’s account.”
Keep in mind this change will affect other aspects of your Alexa experience. For instance, if you change your name from Kevin to Fancy Pants, Alexa will not only call you Fancy Pants, but it will also say your messages to other Echo users are from Fancy Pants. Moreover, ask Alexa to verify your name, she will say, “I’m talking to Fancy Pants. This is Kevin’s account.”
If you change what Alexa calls you, make sure the name is something you’re comfortable having as your public nickname.
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