Change your Overwatch 2 name through Battle.net, not in-game

Your Overwatch 2 username is controlled by your Battle.net account, not by the game itself. You cannot change it from inside Overwatch 2. Instead, you log into Battle.net on a web browser, go to your account settings, and change the name there — the change takes effect in Overwatch 2 within a few minutes.

The process takes about five minutes and costs nothing. You can change your name once every 30 days. If you have not changed it before, you get one free change; after that, each change costs 10 USD.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into Battle.net at account.battle.net, not through the Overwatch 2 launcher, to change your username.
  • Your first name change is free; subsequent changes cost 10 USD and can only happen once every 30 days.
  • The new name appears in Overwatch 2 within minutes, but you may need to restart the game to see it.
  • Your Battle.net username and your Overwatch 2 display name are the same thing — changing one changes the other.
  • If you see an error saying the name is taken or invalid, try a different name or wait a few minutes and try again.

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

Open a web browser and go to account.battle.net. Click the sign-in button in the top right and enter your Battle.net email and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to enter a code from your authenticator app or phone.

Once you are signed in, look for Account Settings in the left sidebar menu. Click it. You should see a section labeled Battletag — this is your username. Next to it, click the pencil icon or the Edit button.

Type your new username into the text field. Battle.net usernames can be 3 to 12 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and hyphens. You cannot use spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. Click Save Changes when you are done.

If the name is already taken, Battle.net will tell you when ready. Try a different name and click Save again. Once the change goes through, you will see a confirmation message. Close the browser tab or window.

When the change appears in Overwatch 2

The new username usually shows up in Overwatch 2 within a few minutes. If you are already in a game or in the main menu, you may need to restart the game completely to see the change. Close Overwatch 2 entirely and reopen it.

If you are in a competitive match when you change your name, the old name will still appear on the scoreboard for that match. The new name takes effect in the next game you join. Your rank, level, and all your cosmetics stay exactly the same — only the name changes.

Understanding the 30-day waiting period

After you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This timer starts from the moment you click Save Changes on Battle.net, not from when the name appears in Overwatch 2. The 30-day period applies whether your first change was free or paid.

If you try to change your name before 30 days have passed, Battle.net will show you a message saying when you can change it next. You can still see this date by going back to Account Settings and looking at the Battletag section.

What happens if you see an error message

The most common error is "This name is already taken." This means another player has that username. Try adding a number to the end, like "YourName42", or use a hyphen, like "Your-Name". Battle.net will tell you if the new name is available before you pay.

If you see "Invalid name" or a similar message, the name you chose contains a character Battle.net does not allow. Remove any special characters, spaces, or numbers that are not in the middle of the name, and try again. If the error persists, wait a few minutes and try once more — sometimes Battle.net's servers are temporarily slow.

If you are charged 10 USD but the name change does not go through, check your Battle.net account settings to see if the name actually changed. If it did not, contact Blizzard Support through the Battle.net website. They can refund the charge or help you troubleshoot the problem.

Changing your name if you forgot your password

If you cannot remember your Battle.net password, you cannot change your username until you reset it. Go to account.battle.net and click Forgot your password? below the sign-in box. Enter your Battle.net email address. Battle.net will send you a password reset link to that email.

Open the email, click the reset link, and create a new password. Once you have done that, sign back into Battle.net and follow the steps above to change your username. If you do not receive the reset email, check your spam folder or wait a few minutes — sometimes the email takes time to arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay to change my name the first time?

No. Your first Battle.net username change is free. Every change after that costs 10 USD. The free change applies to your entire Battle.net account, not just Overwatch 2, so if you have used it on another Blizzard game, you will have to pay for changes in Overwatch 2.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days and pay 10 USD (unless it is your first change). If you changed your name and regret it, you can change it back to the old name once the 30-day timer runs out. The old name has to be available — if another player has taken it, you cannot use it again.

Will changing my name affect my rank or cosmetics?

No. Your rank, level, competitive rating, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics stay exactly the same. Only your username changes. Your match history and statistics are tied to your Battle.net account, not your username, so those do not change either.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change it?

Once you change your username, your old name becomes available for any other player to take. If you want to keep it reserved, do not change your name. If you change it and someone else takes the old name, you cannot get it back unless that player changes their name later and you claim it before someone else does.

Can I change my Overwatch 2 name without changing my Battle.net name?

No. Your Overwatch 2 username and your Battle.net username are the same thing. When you change one, you change the other. There is no separate display name setting in Overwatch 2 itself.