You can change your Epic Games username through your account settings, and the process takes about five minutes

Log into your Epic Games account on the website, go to your Account settings, and select the Display Name option. You can change this name once every 14 days. Epic Games allows you to use letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores — spaces and special characters are not permitted. The new name takes effect when ready across Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and any other Epic Games titles linked to your account.

Your display name is what other players see when you play online. It is separate from your account email, which you cannot change through the same menu. If you need to update your email address instead, that option is in a different section of Account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your display name once every 14 days through Account settings on the Epic Games website.
  • The new name appears when ready in all Epic Games titles you own, including Fortnite and Rocket League.
  • Display names can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or &.
  • If your desired name is already taken, you will need to choose a different one — Epic Games does not hold names in reserve.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Start by going to www.epicgames.com and signing into your account using your email and password. If you use two-factor authentication, you will need to enter that code as well.

Once you are logged in, click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side of the page, click Personal, then look for Display Name. Click the pencil icon next to your current name to edit it. Type your new name in the text field — you will see a green checkmark if the name is available and a red X if it is taken or violates Epic Games' naming rules.

After you enter a name that is available, click Save. The change takes effect right away. You will see the new name the next time you launch any Epic Games title, though it may take a few minutes to update across all servers.

What names are not allowed

Epic Games blocks names that contain profanity, hate speech, or references to real people without permission. Names that impersonate Epic Games staff or famous streamers are also rejected. The system flags names automatically, so you will see the rejection message before you save.

Names that are too similar to existing ones may also be blocked — for example, if someone already has "ShadowKnight," you cannot create "ShadowKnight1" or "Shadow_Knight." Epic Games uses this rule to prevent impersonation. If your desired name is rejected and you are not sure why, the error message will usually explain the reason.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

After you change your display name, you must wait 14 days before you can change it again. This timer starts the moment you save the new name. If you try to change it before 14 days have passed, the Display Name field will show a message telling you when you can change it next.

The 14-day rule applies even if you want to change back to your old name. If you change your name and regret it when ready, you will have to wait two weeks to revert. Plan your name change carefully, or use a temporary name you do not mind keeping for a short time.

How your display name appears in different games

In Fortnite, your display name appears above your character in the lobby and in-game. Other players see this name on the scoreboard and in chat. The same name shows up in Rocket League, Fall Guys, and any other Epic Games title you play. If you own multiple accounts, each one has its own display name.

Your display name is public — anyone who plays with you or against you will see it. Your account email address, by contrast, is private and only you and Epic Games can see it. Do not use personal information like your real name or phone number in your display name unless you are comfortable with other players knowing it.

If your desired name is already taken

Epic Games does not have a name reservation system. If the name you want is taken, you cannot reserve it or request that the current owner give it up. Your only option is to choose a different name.

You can try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to make a variation of the name you want. For example, if "Phoenix" is taken, you might try "Phoenix_2024" or "Phoenix-Rising." Check availability before you save — the green checkmark means the name is yours to use.

Changing your email address instead

If you need to update the email address tied to your Epic Games account, that is a different process from changing your display name. Go to Account settings, click Personal, and look for Email. Click the pencil icon and enter your new email address. Epic Games will send a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses — you must click the link in the new email to complete the change.

Changing your email does not affect your display name or your progress in any games. Your new email becomes your login credential, so make sure you use an email address you have access to. If you lose access to the new email later, you will have trouble recovering your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my display name more than once every 14 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a 14-day waiting period between changes. The timer resets each time you save a new name, so you cannot change it again until 14 days have passed. Plan ahead if you know you want to change your name.

Will changing my display name affect my game progress or cosmetics?

No. Your display name is just what other players see. All your skins, battle pass progress, V-Bucks, and other account data remain exactly the same. The change is cosmetic only.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log into my account?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In, then click Forgot Password. Enter your email address and Epic Games will send you a reset link. Click the link in your email, create a new password, and log in. Once you are in your account, you can change your display name normally.

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

No. Epic Games only allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces, periods, @, #, $, and other special characters will be rejected. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or hyphen instead.

Does my display name have to be unique across all Epic Games accounts?

Yes. Once someone claims a display name, no one else can use that exact name. However, similar names with different numbers or underscores can coexist — "Phoenix" and "Phoenix_1" are two different names.