Change your name through the Epic Games website

The fastest way to change your Fortnite name is through your Epic Games account settings on the web. Log in at www.epicgames.com, go to your Account settings, find the Display Name field, and enter the new name you want. Epic Games allows one free name change every 30 days. If you change your name and want to change it again, you will need to wait 30 days from the date of your last change before you can make another one.

When you pick a new display name, it appears in-game within a few minutes. The name you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or special characters like @ or #. Epic Games reviews names to block ones that violate their code of conduct — names with slurs, hate speech, or impersonation of real people or celebrities will be rejected, and you will be told the name is unavailable.

If you have already used your one free change in the last 30 days, you can still change your name again, but Epic Games charges 1,000 V-Bucks (the in-game currency) for each additional change within that period. V-Bucks cost money to purchase, so this is a real cost if you want to change your name more than once per month.

Change your name on console or mobile

You cannot change your Fortnite name directly from PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices. You must go through the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser. Open www.epicgames.com, sign in with the account linked to your console or mobile device, and follow the same steps as above.

Make sure you are signed into the correct Epic Games account — the one connected to your console or phone. If you have multiple accounts, signing into the wrong one will change the name on a different Fortnite profile, not the one you play on.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Fortnite name through www.epicgames.com in your Account settings, not through the game itself or your console.
  • Epic Games allows one free name change every 30 days; additional changes within 30 days cost 1,000 V-Bucks each.
  • Display names must be 3 to 16 characters, with letters and numbers only — no spaces or special characters.
  • Names that contain slurs, hate speech, or impersonation will be rejected as unavailable.
  • The new name appears in-game within a few minutes of you saving the change.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Once you change your display name, your old name becomes available for other players to use. Epic Games does not hold old names or reserve them for you. If you change your mind and want your old name back, you can try to claim it again, but only if no one else has taken it in the meantime.

Your friends list and match history stay connected to your account, not to your display name. When you change your name, your friends will see the new name the next time they log in, and your past games and stats remain on your account under the new name.

Troubleshooting: name change not working

If you try to change your name and see an error message, the most common reasons are: the name is already taken by another player, the name violates Epic Games' code of conduct, you have already used your free change in the last 30 days and do not have V-Bucks to pay for another change, or your account has a restriction on it.

Account restrictions can happen if Epic Games flags unusual activity or if your account was recently created. If you see a message saying your account cannot change its name, wait 24 to 48 hours and try again. If the problem continues, contact Epic Games support through www.epicgames.com/help — they can tell you whether a restriction is in place and how long it will last.

If the name you want is taken, try variations: add numbers at the end, use underscores or numbers in the middle, or pick a different name altogether. You can check whether a name is available by trying to enter it in the Display Name field — Epic Games will tell you immediately if it is taken or violates the code of conduct.

Name changes and cross-platform play

Your Fortnite display name is the same across all platforms. If you play on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC, everyone sees the same name in-game. When you change your name through Epic Games, it changes on every platform at once.

Your console username (your PlayStation Network ID, Xbox Gamertag, or Nintendo account name) is separate from your Fortnite display name and does not change. Other players see your Fortnite display name in the game, not your console username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once a month?

Yes, but it costs V-Bucks after your first free change. You get one free name change every 30 days. Any additional changes within that 30-day window cost 1,000 V-Bucks each. After 30 days have passed since your last change, you get another free change.

What if someone else took my old name?

Once you change your name, your old name is available for anyone to claim. Epic Games does not hold old names. If you want it back, you can try to change your name back to it, but only if no one else has taken it. If someone has already claimed it, you will need to pick a different name.

Do my stats and friends list change when I change my name?

No. Your account, stats, match history, and friends list all stay the same. Only your display name changes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they log in, and all your past games and progress remain on your account.

Why does it say my name is unavailable?

The name is either already taken by another player, contains words that violate Epic Games' code of conduct, or does not meet the character requirements (3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only). Try a different name or add numbers to make it unique.

How long does it take for my new name to show up in-game?

Your new display name appears in-game within a few minutes of you saving the change on the Epic Games website. If it does not appear after 10 minutes, try logging out of Fortnite and logging back in.