How to Rename a Google Cloud Project

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Want to rename a Google Cloud project because you entered the wrong name? You do not need to start over. In this guide, I will change my accidentally named The Hidden Pea Shorts Maker project to Dumb IT Dude Shorts Maker, with screenshots of each step.

This is a companion to our Google Cloud project creation tutorial for YouTube Shorts automation. If you are following that series, use the project you already created.

Before You Rename a Google Cloud Project

The project name is a readable label that you can edit. The project ID is a separate identifier and cannot be changed after creation. Renaming the label does not create a new project. Make sure you select the right one before editing anything.

How to Rename a Google Cloud Project

Step 1: Open Google Cloud Console and sign in with an account that can edit the project. Use the project picker in the top bar to select the project you want to rename.

Step 2: Open the navigation menu in the top-left corner. Find IAM & Admin and choose Settings from its submenu. Depending on your console layout, you may need to scroll through the menu.

Google Cloud navigation menu showing the IAM and Admin section for project settings.

The menu screenshot above shows the route into project administration. Once Settings opens, you should see the project name, project ID and project number.

Step 3: Check the current Project name. In my example, it says The Hidden Pea Shorts Maker. This is the editable field we need; leave the project ID and other settings alone.

IAM and Admin Settings showing the old Google Cloud project name and its unchanged project ID.

Step 4: Click inside Project name and replace the old text with your preferred name. I am entering Dumb IT Dude Shorts Maker. Check the spelling, then click Save beside the field.

New project name Dumb IT Dude Shorts Maker entered beside the Save button.

Google does not let you change the project ID. Notice that mine still reads the-hidden-pea-shorts-maker even though I have entered a new display name. This difference is expected: you are still working with the same project.

Step 5: After saving, check the project picker in the top bar. It should show the new name. If it still shows the old label, refresh the page or reopen the picker and select the same project again. Confirm the project ID still matches the original.

Renamed Google Cloud project displayed as Dumb IT Dude Shorts Maker while the project ID remains the same.

Can You Change the Project ID Too?

No. You can rename a Google Cloud project, but Google keeps its ID fixed after creation. If a different ID is essential, you would need a new project and a separate setup for its services and credentials. Do not delete your existing project just to fix its display name.

What If You Cannot Save the New Name?

First, confirm that you are signed in to the correct Google account and have selected the right project. If you cannot edit the field or receive a permissions error, ask the project owner or your organization administrator to check your access. Avoid changing permissions just to follow a tutorial.

There you go! The project now has the name I intended, without starting the setup again. If you need the earlier steps, return to Part 1: create your Google Cloud project. Otherwise, continue to Part 2: enable YouTube Data API v3 using the same project.

For reference, Google documents how to update a project name and explains why the project ID cannot be changed.

Scottshak

Poet. Author. Blogger. Screenwriter. Director. Editor. Software Engineer. Author of "Songs of a Ruin" and "The Convent" and proud owner of four websites and two production houses. Also, one of the geekiest Automation Architect based in Ahmedabad.

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