For the first time in Gmail’s 22-year history, account holders will now be able to change their email address name. In the past, if a user wanted a new name, they would have to start over with a

This week, Google announced a rather significant change for all of its users in the United States that feels like it was a long time coming. If you've ever found yourself with an old Gmail address that you wish you could change but don't want to lose all of your contacts and emails,

It's unclear if Google will expand this feature to all Gmail users worldwide, though it may eventually happen. Google notes

Google Account users in the US can now change their Gmail address username. Google says the data saved in the account won't be affected.

In a long-awaited update, Google now lets you change your Google account username, or the part before @gmail.com.