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

Log into your Epic Games account on the website or through the launcher, go to your Account settings, find the Display Name field, and type in your new username. Epic Games lets you change your display name once every 14 days, so if you changed it recently, you will have to wait until the cooldown period ends. The change takes effect when ready across Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and any other Epic Games titles you play.

Your actual account name (the email address you use to log in) stays the same — only the name other players see changes. This matters if you are trying to hide from someone or worried about your real identity being visible. Your display name is what appears above your character in games and on your profile page.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your display name once every 14 days through Account settings on the Epic Games website.
  • The change shows up when ready in all Epic Games titles, but your login email address never changes.
  • If you have parental controls enabled on your account, a parent or guardian may need to approve the change first.
  • Usernames cannot contain certain words or characters — Epic Games will tell you if your choice violates their policy.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with your email and password. Click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side menu, click Personal, then look for the Display Name field near the top of the page.

Clear the current name and type your new one. Epic Games usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Click Save and the change takes effect right away. If you see an error message, your chosen name either violates Epic Games' content policy (no slurs, hate speech, or impersonation of real people) or is already taken by another player.

What happens if you have parental controls

If a parent or guardian set up parental controls on your account, you may see a message saying the change needs approval. This depends on what restrictions they configured — some parents allow display name changes without approval, while others require it for any account change.

Ask the parent or guardian who manages your account to approve the change through their email. They will receive a notification with a link to approve or deny it. The change will not go through until they respond.

The 14-day waiting period between changes

Epic Games enforces a two-week cooldown between display name changes to prevent harassment and account takeover attempts. If you changed your name recently, you will see a message telling you exactly when you can change it again. This timer resets each time you make a change, so if you change your name on January 1st, you cannot change it again until January 15th.

The cooldown applies even if you change your name back to something you used before. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, so plan your username choice carefully.

Names that Epic Games will reject

Epic Games blocks usernames that impersonate real celebrities, public figures, or other players. They also reject names containing slurs, hate speech, or sexually explicit content. Names that look too similar to existing ones (like "Fortnite" or "EpicGames") are blocked to prevent impersonation.

If your chosen name is rejected, the system will tell you it violates the username policy but will not always explain why. Try a different variation — add a number, use an underscore, or pick a completely different name. If you believe your name was rejected by mistake, you can contact Epic Games support through their help center, though they rarely overturn these decisions.

How your old username affects friends and followers

When you change your display name, your friends list does not break. Anyone who has you added will still see you in their friends list under your new name. Your old username becomes available for another player to claim after 30 days, so if you want to keep it reserved, do not change it.

If you have a public profile or stream on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, your Epic Games display name change will show up there too. Followers will see your new name the next time they check, but the change does not affect your follower count or any links to your profile.

Changing your username on console or mobile

You cannot change your display name directly from the Fortnite app on your phone or from a console like PlayStation or Xbox. You must go through the Epic Games website on a computer or mobile browser. Log in, go to Account settings, and change it there — the change will sync to your console or phone the next time you launch the game.

If you are logged into multiple devices, the new name appears on all of them within a few minutes. You do not need to log out and back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 14 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a strict 14-day cooldown between changes. You will see the exact date you can change it again if you try before the cooldown ends. There is no way to pay to skip this waiting period.

What if someone else took the username I want?

Usernames are first-come, first-served. If another player has the name you want, you cannot use it unless they change their name and the 30-day hold expires. Try adding numbers, underscores, or hyphens to create a variation.

Will changing my display name affect my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics stay with your account. Only the name other players see changes — everything else remains exactly the same.

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 14 days between changes. If you changed your name on January 1st and want to change it back on January 8th, you will have to wait until January 15th.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password and cannot log in?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Forgot Password. Enter your email address and Epic Games will send you a reset link. Click the link, create a new password, and log in. Then follow the steps above to change your display name.