You can change your username once every 30 days through the Settings menu

Open Animal Jam and log in to your account. Click the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen to open Settings. Select "Account" from the menu on the left side. You will see a section labeled "Username" with your current name displayed. Click the "Change Username" button next to it.

A text box will appear where you can type your new username. Animal Jam usernames must be between 3 and 20 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces or special characters like hyphens or periods. Once you type your new name, click "Change" to confirm.

The system will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or breaks the naming rules. If your new username is available, the change takes effect right away. You will be logged out and need to log back in using your new username.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your username once every 30 days through Settings > Account > Change Username.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 20 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores.
  • The system tells you when ready if a name is taken or violates the naming rules.
  • After you change your username, you must log back in using the new name.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to use after you change it.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, the old one is released back into the system. Other players can claim it when ready, even if you want to switch back later. This means if you change from "JungleLion" to "SkyWolf" and then decide you want "JungleLion" again, someone else may have already taken it.

Your account history, items, and achievements stay with your account no matter what username you use. Friends who had you on their buddy list will see your new username the next time they log in. However, any messages or comments you left under your old username will still show that old name in the chat history.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Animal Jam enforces a 30-day cooldown between username changes. This means once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. The timer starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you click the button.

If you try to change your username before 30 days have passed, the "Change Username" button will be grayed out and show you how many days remain. This rule prevents players from cycling through names constantly and helps keep the community stable.

Usernames you cannot use

Animal Jam blocks certain usernames to protect the game's safety and community standards. You cannot use usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. The system also blocks names that impersonate staff members or famous players, names that are sexually explicit, and names designed to scam or mislead other players.

If you try to create a username that violates these rules, the system will reject it and ask you to choose a different one. There is no appeal process for blocked names — you straightforward need to pick something that follows the guidelines.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed username change

If you clicked "Change" but nothing happened, refresh the page and log back in. Sometimes the change goes through even though the screen does not update when ready. Check your Settings again to see if the new username is already active.

If the button is grayed out and shows "0 days remaining" but you still cannot change your username, log out completely and log back in. This refreshes your account status and sometimes clears a display glitch. If the problem continues, contact Animal Jam support through the Help section in Settings and describe exactly what you see on your screen.

Changing your username on mobile versus desktop

The process is identical whether you play Animal Jam on a computer or mobile device. Open Settings, go to Account, and click "Change Username" the same way. On mobile, the gear icon appears in the same top right corner, though the screen is smaller so you may need to scroll to see all the options in the Account menu.

Mobile players sometimes experience lag when the change is processing. If you do not see a confirmation message after clicking "Change," wait 10 seconds before refreshing the page. The change usually goes through even if the app does not show a clear confirmation.

What you need before you change your username

You do not need anything special to change your username — just access to your account and the ability to log in. You do not need to spend Gems or Diamonds, and there is no cost involved. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it first through the login screen before you can access Settings.

If your account is locked or suspended, you cannot change your username until the issue is resolved. Contact Animal Jam support if you cannot log in or if your account shows a warning message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to my old one after 30 days?

Only if no one else has claimed it. Once you change your username, the old one becomes available when ready. If another player has taken it in the meantime, you cannot use it again. Plan ahead if you think you might want to switch back.

What if someone else took my old username?

You cannot reclaim a username once another player has it. Animal Jam does not reserve old usernames or allow transfers. If this happens, you will need to choose a completely different name. Consider this before changing your username for the first time.

Do my items and achievements move with my new username?

Yes. Everything on your account — your inventory, Gems, Diamonds, achievements, and buddy list — stays with your account when you change your username. Only the name changes; your progress and possessions do not.

Can I change my username if I am banned or suspended?

No. If your account is under any restriction, you cannot access Settings or make changes. You must resolve the issue with Animal Jam support first. Changing your username does not remove a ban or suspension.

How long does a username change take to show up everywhere in the game?

The change is when ready in your own account and Settings. Other players will see your new username the next time they log in or refresh their buddy list. In some cases it may take a few minutes for the name to update in chat or on your player card, but this is rare.