Change your username through the Epic Games website

You change your Epic Games username by logging into your account on the Epic Games website, finding the Display Name field in your account settings, and saving the new name. The change takes effect when ready across all Epic Games services — Fortnite, the Epic Games Store, and any other connected games.

Start by going to www.epicgames.com and clicking the login button in the top right. Enter your email address and password. Once you are logged in, click your account name or profile icon in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, click General in the left sidebar. Look for the Display Name field — this is what other players see in-game and on leaderboards. Click the pencil icon next to your current display name to edit it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your display name directly from the Epic Games website by logging in and visiting Account > General.
  • Your new display name appears when ready in Fortnite and other Epic Games services, though it may take a few minutes to show in some games.
  • Epic Games allows you to change your display name once every 14 days, so choose carefully before you save.
  • If your desired name is already taken, you will see an error message and must pick a different one.

What names Epic Games will not allow

Epic Games blocks display names that contain profanity, impersonation, hate speech, or sexual content. The system also rejects names that are too similar to existing ones — if someone already has a name very close to what you want, you cannot use it.

Names must be between 3 and 16 characters long. Spaces, numbers, and most punctuation are allowed, but Epic Games filters out certain symbols. If you try to save a name and get an error message, the name violates one of these rules. Try a different combination of letters, numbers, or spaces.

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 limit exists across your entire Epic Games account, not per game. If you change your name and when ready regret it, you cannot undo the change until two weeks have passed.

Before you click save, make sure the new name is one you are comfortable with for at least two weeks. If you made a typo or changed your mind, you will have to wait out the full 14 days. There is no way to speed up this waiting period or request an exception.

When the name change does not show up in-game right away

Your new display name usually appears in Fortnite and the Epic Games Store within a few minutes. Sometimes it takes longer — up to an hour in rare cases — because the game servers need time to sync the change from your account settings.

If you still see your old name after an hour, try closing and restarting the game. Log out of your Epic Games account in the game, then log back in. If the old name persists after that, restart your computer or console entirely. The change has been saved to your account; the game just needs to refresh.

Changing your username versus your display name

Epic Games uses two different names, and they work differently. Your username is the account name you use to log in — the one tied to your email address. Your display name is what other players see in-game and on your profile. You can change your display name as often as the 14-day rule allows, but you cannot change your username through the website.

If you need to change your actual login username, you must contact Epic Games Support directly. Go to www.epicgames.com/help, click Contact Us, and describe what you need. Support can change your username, but the process takes longer than changing your display name and may require you to verify your identity.

Changing your display name on console or mobile

You cannot change your display name directly from the Fortnite app on your phone or from a console. You must use the Epic Games website on a computer or mobile browser. Log in at www.epicgames.com, go to Account > General, and change the Display Name field as described above.

Once you have saved the change on the website, launch Fortnite on your console or phone and log in with your Epic Games account. The new name will sync to the game within a few minutes. You do not need to do anything else on the console or phone side.

What happens to your old display name

When you change your display name, your old name becomes available for someone else to use. Epic Games does not reserve old names or hold them for you. If you change from "PlayerOne" to "PlayerTwo" and then want to go back to "PlayerOne" two weeks later, someone else may have already claimed it.

This is why it matters to think before you save. If your old name is important to you or you think you might want it back, do not change it unless you are certain. Once you pick a new name and save it, the old one is gone from your account permanently.

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 display name changes on your entire account. You cannot change it again until 14 days have passed since your last change, and there is no way to bypass this limit.

What if someone else already has the name I want?

You cannot use a display name that is already taken. The system will show an error message when you try to save it. You will need to pick a different name — try adding a number, underscore, or variation of the spelling.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your Epic Games account ID stays the same, so your friends can still see you in their friends list and find you by your account ID even if your display name changes. Your old name does not affect your ability to play together.

Do I need to change my password when I change my display name?

No. Changing your display name does not affect your password or login credentials. Your username (the name you use to log in) stays the same unless you contact Epic Games Support to change it.

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

Most special characters are blocked by Epic Games' filter. Letters, numbers, spaces, and a few symbols like hyphens and underscores usually work, but emojis and many punctuation marks are not allowed. Try your desired name and the system will tell you if it is rejected.