You change your Overwatch 2 username by editing your Battle.net account name, not through the game itself
Overwatch 2 pulls your username directly from your Battle.net account, so there is no separate username setting inside the game. To change what appears above your character in Overwatch 2, you log into Battle.net on a web browser, go to your account settings, and edit your Battle.net name. The change takes effect when ready in Overwatch 2 and every other Blizzard game tied to that account.
You can change your Battle.net name once every 30 days at no cost. If you have changed it recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again. There is no limit to how many times you can change it over time — only the 30-day waiting period between changes.
Key Takeaways
- Go to account.battle.net, sign in, and select your account name from the top menu to reach the settings page where you can edit it.
- Your new Battle.net name appears in Overwatch 2 within seconds and replaces your old name everywhere across Blizzard games.
- You can change your name once every 30 days, and a timer on the settings page shows when your next change becomes available.
- Changing your Battle.net name does not affect your rank, competitive history, cosmetics, or any progress in Overwatch 2.
Step-by-step: changing your Battle.net name
Open a web browser and go to account.battle.net. Sign in with the email and password for the Battle.net account linked to your Overwatch 2 profile. If you use two-factor authentication, enter the code from your authenticator app or phone when prompted.
Once you are signed in, look at the top right of the page. Click on your current Battle.net name (it appears next to your account icon). This opens a dropdown menu. Select "Account Settings" from the menu.
On the Account Settings page, find the section labeled "Battletag" — this is the name that shows in Overwatch 2. Click the pencil icon or "Edit" button next to your current name. Type your new name into the text field. Battle.net names must be between 3 and 12 characters and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or &.
Click "Save" or "Confirm" (the button label varies slightly). If the name is available, the change takes effect when ready. If the name is already taken by another player, Battle.net tells you and asks you to choose a different one. Once saved, refresh Overwatch 2 or restart the game to see your new name in the player list and on your profile.
What happens to your profile and progress
Changing your Battle.net name does not reset or affect anything else on your account. Your competitive rank, skill rating, all cosmetics (skins, emotes, sprays, voice lines), loot box contents, and match history stay exactly as they were. Friends who had you added will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new one.
If you were in the middle of a match when you changed your name, you may need to restart Overwatch 2 to see the change reflected in the game client. The servers update your name within seconds, but the game client sometimes caches the old name until you close and reopen it.
If you cannot change your name yet
The 30-day cooldown is account-wide, not per-game. If you changed your Battle.net name for any Blizzard game — World of Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, or anything else — that same 30-day timer applies to Overwatch 2. The Account Settings page shows exactly how many days remain before you can change again.
If you see an error message saying your name is unavailable or invalid, check that it is between 3 and 12 characters and contains only letters, numbers, and hyphens. Spaces, accents, and symbols like @, #, $, !, or & are not allowed. If the name you want is taken, try adding a number or hyphen to make it unique.
Changing your display name versus your Battle.net name
Battle.net also has a separate "Display Name" feature that is different from your Battle.net name. The Display Name is optional and appears on your profile page and in some social features, but it does not show above your character in Overwatch 2 matches. Most players only need to change their Battle.net name. If you want to change your Display Name as well, it is in the same Account Settings page, usually in a section labeled "Profile" or "Social".
Your Battle.net name is what matters for Overwatch 2. That is the name your teammates and opponents see during matches, on the scoreboard, and in replays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my name affect my rank or competitive history?
No. Your rank, skill rating, and all match history stay on your account. When you look at your career profile or competitive stats, they are tied to your account, not your name. Other players searching your old name will not find your profile anymore, but your new name will show in all future matches and replays.
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes, but you have to wait 30 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert, you can change it back to your old name after the cooldown expires. The old name must not be taken by someone else in the meantime.
What if someone else took the name I want?
Battle.net names are first-come, first-served. If the name is taken, you cannot use it. Try adding a number, hyphen, or variation. For example, if "Shadow" is taken, you could try "Shadow-1" or "Shadow42". You can also check if a name is available before you commit to changing by attempting to enter it during the edit process.
Will my friends still see me after I change my name?
Yes. Friends who have you added will see your new name in their friends list when ready. You will still appear in their recent players list and group invites will still work. The change is seamless on their end.
How long does it take for the name change to show in Overwatch 2?
The change is when ready on Battle.net's servers. Overwatch 2 usually reflects it within seconds, but if you do not see it right away, close the game completely and reopen it. The client sometimes needs to refresh to display the updated name.