Activision gives you a limited number of free username changes

Activision allows one free username change when you first create your Battle.net account. After that, each additional change costs 9.99 USD. There is no monthly or yearly limit on how many times you can pay to change your name — you can change it as often as you want if you pay the fee each time.

The free change is a one-time offer. Once you use it, every future change requires payment. This applies across all Activision games tied to your Battle.net account, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.

Key Takeaways

  • You get one free username change on your Battle.net account, and after that each change costs 9.99 USD.
  • There is no limit to how many paid changes you can make — you can change your name as many times as you want if you pay the fee.
  • The free change applies to your entire Battle.net account, not to individual games.
  • If you change your username, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after a waiting period.

How to check if you have used your free change

Log into your Battle.net account and go to the Account Settings page. Select "Profile" and look for the username section. If you see an option to change your name with no cost listed, you still have your free change available. If the system shows a price of 9.99 USD, you have already used it.

You can also check your account history. Battle.net keeps a record of when you made your last username change. If you have never changed your name since creating the account, the free change is still waiting for you.

What to consider before using your free change

Think carefully about the name you want before you make your first change, because the next one will cost money. Choose something you will be comfortable with for a long time. Avoid names that reference current trends or memes, since those can feel dated quickly and you may want to change again later.

Consider how your username looks to other players. In competitive games like Call of Duty, your name is visible to everyone you play against. Pick something that represents how you want to appear in the community.

Paying for additional username changes

Once your free change is used, you can purchase additional changes through your Battle.net account. Go to Account Settings, select Profile, and choose the option to change your username. The system will prompt you to pay 9.99 USD through your preferred payment method — credit card, debit card, or Battle.net balance.

The payment processes when ready, and your new username becomes active right away. You do not have to wait for approval or confirmation. The old username enters a holding period before it becomes available for other players to use.

Why Activision charges for name changes

The fee exists partly to prevent spam and abuse. Without a cost, players could change names constantly to evade reports, hide from other players, or confuse teammates. The 9.99 USD price is high enough to discourage casual name-swapping but low enough that players who genuinely want a new identity can afford it.

The fee also generates revenue for Activision, similar to cosmetic purchases in their games. It is a standard practice across online gaming platforms — Blizzard, Valve, and other publishers charge for name changes as well.

What happens to your old username

When you change your name, your old username does not disappear when ready. It enters a holding period, usually 30 days, during which no one else can claim it. After that period ends, the name becomes available for any other player to use. If you change your mind and want your old name back, you would have to wait until someone else claims it and then hope they eventually abandon it — which is not a reliable way to recover a name.

Your account history, rank, and statistics stay with your account regardless of what name you use. Changing your username does not reset your progress in any game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my free username change back if I used it by mistake?

No. Activision does not restore free changes or refund the cost of paid changes. Once you use your free change, it is gone. If you paid for a change you regret, contact Activision Support to ask, but they typically do not reverse paid transactions for username changes.

Do I have separate username changes for each game?

No. Your Battle.net username is shared across all Activision games. One free change applies to your entire account. If you change your name, it changes in Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and every other game linked to that Battle.net account.

How long does it take for a username change to go through?

Username changes are when ready. Your new name appears in your account and in-game when ready after you confirm the change and pay if required. You do not have to wait for a confirmation email or approval process.

Can I change my username back to something I used before?

Only if no one else has claimed it during the holding period. After you change your name, your old name sits unused for about 30 days. If someone else takes it during that time, you cannot use it again unless they abandon it later, which you cannot predict or control.

What if someone else is using a name I want?

You cannot force another player to change their name or claim their username. If the name you want is taken, you have to choose a different one. Activision does not transfer usernames between accounts or hold names for players.