You change your Overwatch username by changing your Battle.net account name, not inside the game itself

Overwatch pulls your username directly from your Battle.net account. There is no username setting inside Overwatch — if you want a different name in the game, you change it at Battle.net first, and the change shows up in Overwatch within a few minutes. The process takes about five minutes and costs $9.99 USD (or the equivalent in your region's currency) each time you do it.

You can change your Battle.net name from any device with a web browser. You do not need to be in the game or have Overwatch running. The change applies to your entire Battle.net account, so it affects Overwatch, Diablo, World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and any other Blizzard game linked to that account.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Overwatch username comes from your Battle.net account name, and you change it on the Battle.net website, not in the game.
  • Each name change costs $9.99 USD and takes effect when ready across all your Blizzard games.
  • You can change your name once every 30 days, and you cannot use a name that is already taken or that violates Blizzard's naming policy.
  • If your name change fails, the most common reason is that the name is already taken or contains characters Blizzard does not allow.
  • You can see what your current Battle.net name is by logging into your account settings or by looking at your Overwatch profile in the game.

Step-by-step: changing your name on Battle.net

Go to account.battle.net and log in with your email and password. If you use two-factor authentication (which Blizzard recommends), you will need to enter the code from your authenticator app or phone number.

Once you are logged in, look for Account Settings in the left menu. Click it, then find the section labeled Battletag. Your current name appears here. Click the Edit button next to it.

Type your new name into the text box. Battle.net names can be 3 to 12 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens. You cannot use spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. Click Change Battletag when you are ready.

Battle.net will ask you to confirm the $9.99 charge. Review the name one more time — you cannot undo this when ready, and you have to wait 30 days before changing it again. Click Purchase to complete the change. Your new name takes effect in Overwatch within a few minutes.

Why your name change might not go through

The most common reason a name change fails is that the name you chose is already taken by another player. Battle.net names are unique across the entire platform, so if someone else has claimed it, you cannot use it. Try a variation: add a number at the end, use a hyphen, or pick a different name entirely.

Blizzard also blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people without permission. If your chosen name is rejected for this reason, Battle.net will tell you it violates the naming policy. You will not be charged, and you can try a different name when ready.

Occasionally the Battle.net website has temporary issues that prevent name changes. If you see an error message like "An unexpected error occurred," wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again. If the problem persists, check the Blizzard Support Twitter account to see if there is a known outage.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, you must wait 30 days before changing it again. This rule applies even if you want to change it back to your old name. The 30 days starts from the moment your purchase goes through, not from when you first tried to change it.

If you change your name and when ready regret it, you cannot undo it. You have to wait the full 30 days, pay another $9.99, and change it to something else. For this reason, it is worth taking a minute to make sure you like the new name before you click Purchase.

How your name appears to other players

In Overwatch, your Battle.net name shows up in the player list, on your profile card, and in the match history. Other players see this name when they look you up or add you as a friend. If you change your name, players who had you added as a friend will still see you in their friends list, but your name will update to the new one.

Your old name does not stay reserved for you. Once you change it, another player can claim it when ready. If you think you might want to use your old name again someday, you cannot — someone else will likely take it.

Changing your name on console (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch)

If you play Overwatch on a console, you still change your Battle.net name on the Battle.net website using a computer or phone browser. The console version of Overwatch does not have a name-change option in its settings menu.

After you change your Battle.net name on the website, log out of Overwatch on your console completely. Close the game, then restart it. Your new name will appear once you log back in. This usually takes less than a minute, but occasionally it can take up to 10 minutes for the change to sync.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Overwatch name without paying $9.99?

No. Blizzard charges $9.99 USD (or regional equivalent) for each name change. This is a one-time fee per change, not a subscription. If you are in a region where USD pricing does not explore, the cost will be shown in your local currency before you purchase.

What if I forgot my Battle.net password?

Go to account.battle.net and click Forgot your password? Battle.net will send a reset link to the email address on your account. Click the link, create a new password, and log in. Then you can change your name normally.

Does changing my Battle.net name affect my rank or competitive history?

No. Your rank, wins, losses, and all game statistics stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Other players will see your new name, but your account history remains linked to you.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my new name?

No. Battle.net names can only contain letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and hyphens (-). You cannot use spaces, periods, underscores, or other special characters. Names must be 3 to 12 characters long.

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

Usually a few minutes. If you are already in a game when you change your name, you may need to restart Overwatch to see the change. On console, log out completely and log back in to force the update.