to field in Outlook email shows incorrect name

Steve & Julie Robinson 0 Reputation points
2026-09-18T02:09:02.19+00:00

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.

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Email
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  1. Manoel Barros 21,925 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-18T02:56:39.5433333+00:00

    Hi!

    The contact might be saved under the wrong name in Outlook Web. In the left sidebar, click the People icon enter image description here > Search for the contact > Check if the name is correct.

    Also, check your username at https://account.microsoft.com/profile

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-18T02:09:19.4133333+00:00

    In Outlook on the web, the name shown in the To field suggestion can come from suggested recipients data, personal contacts, or organizational contacts such as the Global Address List. That is why the wrong full name can still appear even when the account display name is already correct.

    Try these steps:

    1. Remove the bad suggestion from the recipient list.
      • Start a new message.
      • In the To field, begin typing the address.
      • When the incorrect suggestion appears, remove that suggestion from the list.
    2. Use the address book to verify which source is supplying the name.
      • In a new message, select To, Cc, or Bcc to open Add recipients.
      • Check the available contact list source, such as personal contacts or the Global Address List.
      • Search for the address and see whether the incorrect name appears there.
    3. If the wrong name is coming from organizational contacts, it must be corrected by the organization administrator.
      • Outlook can use contacts from the Global Address List for suggestions.
    4. If the wrong name keeps returning in Outlook on the web, clear suggested people data.
      • In Outlook on the web, go to Settings > General > Privacy and data.
      • Under Suggested people, select Clear data and turn it off.
    5. Also review mailbox settings if the issue seems tied to unexpected suggestions returning.
      • In Outlook on the web, check Settings > Mail > Rules and Forwarding and remove anything not created intentionally.

    If the address is an Outlook.com account, one reported fix for incorrect displayed name behavior is updating the profile name on the Microsoft account profile page.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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