Change your display name through the Epic Games website

Your Fortnite display name is the username other players see in-game. To change it, you log into your Epic Games account on the web, go to your Account settings, find the Display Name field, and enter a new name. The change takes effect immediately in most cases, though it can take a few minutes to show up in-game if you are already playing.

The display name is separate from your Epic Games account username — the one you use to log in. You can change your display name without changing your login credentials, and you can change it as often as you want. There is no cost to change it.

Epic Games does enforce a few rules on display names: they cannot contain profanity, impersonate other players or public figures, or include certain symbols. If your chosen name violates these rules, the system will reject it and ask you to pick something else.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your Epic Games account at www.epicgames.com and navigate to Account settings to find the Display Name field.
  • Your display name is what other players see in-game and is separate from your login username.
  • Display name changes take effect immediately, though it may take a few minutes to appear in-game.
  • Epic Games rejects display names that contain profanity, impersonate others, or use certain symbols.
  • You can change your display name as many times as you want at no cost.

Step-by-step process on the Epic Games website

Start by going to www.epicgames.com and clicking the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter your email address and password, then click Sign In. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to complete that step as well.

Once you are logged in, click on your account icon in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side of the page, click on General. Scroll down until you see the Display Name field. Click on it, clear the current name, type your new name, and click Save. The system will check whether the name is available and follows Epic's rules. If it does, your new name is saved.

If the name is rejected, the system will tell you why — usually because it contains profanity, is already taken, or violates another rule. Try a different name and submit again.

What happens if your chosen name is already taken

Epic Games allows multiple players to have the same display name, so a name being "taken" by another player does not prevent you from using it. However, the system may reject a name if it is flagged as impersonating a known public figure or professional player. In that case, you will need to choose a different name.

If you see an error message saying the name is unavailable, read the specific reason provided. Most often it means the name contains a word or phrase Epic has blocked, not that another player is using it.

Changing your name on console or mobile

You cannot change your display name directly from the Fortnite game client on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile. You must use the Epic Games website. Log in through a web browser on any device, follow the steps above, and the change will sync to your game account within a few minutes.

If you are playing on console and do not have easy access to a computer, you can use your phone's web browser to visit epicgames.com and make the change. The process is the same.

How long the change takes to show up in-game

In most cases, your new display name appears in-game within a few minutes of saving it on the Epic Games website. If you are already in a match when you change it, you may need to restart the game or return to the lobby for the new name to display.

If your new name does not appear after 10 minutes, try logging out of your Epic Games account and logging back in. This forces the game to refresh your account information and usually resolves the issue.

Restrictions on display names

Epic Games blocks display names that contain profanity, hate speech, or slurs. The system also rejects names that appear designed to impersonate professional players, streamers, or public figures — for example, a name that is identical to a famous player's name or includes their name with minor variations.

Names with certain special characters, excessive numbers, or repeated letters may also be rejected. Epic's rules are designed to keep the game environment respectful and prevent confusion between players. If your name is rejected, the error message will usually indicate which rule it violates.

Reverting to a previous display name

If you change your display name and later want to go back to an old one, you can do so at any time. Simply log into your Epic Games account, go to Account settings, and change the Display Name field to whatever you want. There is no limit on how many times you can change it, and you can reuse old names you have had before.

Keep in mind that other players may have seen your previous name and might not recognize you immediately after a change. If you play with friends regularly, let them know you have changed your name so they do not think you are a different player.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite display name from within the game?

No. You must change your display name through the Epic Games website. The game client does not have a built-in option to change it. Log into your account at epicgames.com, go to Account settings, and update your Display Name field there.

Will changing my display name affect my progress, V-Bucks, or cosmetics?

No. Your display name is purely cosmetic and does not affect your account, progress, cosmetics, or V-Bucks balance. Everything stays the same — only the name other players see changes.

How often can I change my display name?

You can change your display name as often as you want with no cooldown or limit. There is no cost to change it, and you can revert to old names or pick a new one whenever you choose.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password?

Click the "Forgot password?" link on the Epic Games sign-in page. Enter your email address, and Epic will send you a password reset link. Follow the link, create a new password, and then log in to change your display name.

Does my display name have to match my PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam username?

No. Your Fortnite display name is independent of your console or platform username. You can have a completely different name in Fortnite than you do on your console or Steam account.