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 or through the Epic Games Launcher. Go to your Account settings, then select "General" from the left menu. Look for the "Display Name" field — this is what other players see in games and on your profile. Click "Change" next to your current display name, type your new username, and confirm the change. Epic Games will ask you to re-enter your password for security.

The new name takes effect when ready in most games, though some titles may take a few minutes to sync. Your account ID and email address stay the same — only the name that appears to other players changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name is what other players see, and you can change it anytime through Account settings without losing your games or progress.
  • Epic Games requires you to re-enter your password when you change your display name as a security measure.
  • You cannot use special characters, spaces, or numbers-only usernames — Epic Games enforces basic naming rules to prevent impersonation.
  • If your new name is already taken, you will need to choose a different one; Epic Games does not hold names in reserve.

What counts as a valid Epic Games username

Epic Games usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters and numbers, but not spaces or most special characters. Usernames that look like they are pretending to be Epic Games staff, famous players, or other well-known accounts will be rejected — Epic Games' system flags these automatically.

Your username also cannot be only numbers. If you want something like "Player123", that works, but "123456" alone will not. Epic Games checks new usernames against a list of reserved words and offensive terms, so some combinations will be blocked even if they seem harmless to you.

Where to find the display name setting

On the Epic Games website, sign in and click your account icon in the top right corner. Select "Account" from the dropdown menu. On the left side, you will see several tabs — click "General". The "Display Name" field appears near the top of the page, usually with your current username already filled in.

If you use the Epic Games Launcher on your computer, click your account icon in the top right corner of the launcher window, then select "Account". This opens your account page in a web browser, and the steps are the same from there. You cannot change your display name directly within the launcher itself.

Why Epic Games asks for your password again

When you change your display name, Epic Games requires you to enter your password a second time. This is a security check — it confirms that you are actually the account owner and not someone who has gained temporary access to your computer. The same protection applies if you change your email address or password.

If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your account, Epic Games may ask for a verification code from your phone or authenticator app instead of your password. This is actually more find, so if you have not set up two-factor authentication yet, it is worth doing.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your display name, your old username becomes available for someone else to use. Epic Games does not hold old usernames in reserve, so if you change your mind later, you cannot get the exact same name back — someone else may have already claimed it.

Your friends list, game progress, and account history all stay attached to your account ID, not your display name. So even though your username changes, your friends will still see you in their list, and all your games and purchases remain yours. The change is purely cosmetic from the account side.

If your chosen username is already taken

Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name you want is not available. The system checks this in real time as you type, so you will know before you try to confirm the change. If the name is taken, you will need to choose something different.

There is no waitlist or way to reserve a username. If you want a specific name badly, your only option is to check back periodically and hope the person using it changes their name or deletes their account. Some players add numbers or slight variations to their preferred name instead — "PlayerName" might be taken, but "PlayerName42" might not be.

Changing your username in specific games

Your Epic Games display name is what shows up in Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and most other games that use Epic's account system. When you change it in your Epic Games account settings, it updates across all these games automatically.

Some games have their own separate in-game nicknames or clan tags that sit on top of your Epic username. Those are different from your Epic display name and are managed within each game's own settings. For example, Fortnite lets you set a separate "Outfit" or cosmetic name, but your actual account name comes from Epic Games.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I change my Epic Games username?

You can change your display name as often as you want with no cooldown period. Epic Games does not limit how many times you switch usernames, though changing it very frequently might confuse your friends about who you are.

Will changing my username affect my Fortnite skins or V-Bucks?

No. Your skins, V-Bucks, and all in-game items stay with your account regardless of what your display name is. The username is just the label other players see — it does not touch your inventory or purchases.

What if I forget my password and cannot change my username?

You will need to reset your password first. Go to the Epic Games login page, click "Forgot your password?", and follow the email recovery steps. Once you have set a new password, you can then change your display name normally.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Epic Games only allows letters (A–Z) and numbers (0–9). Spaces, hyphens, underscores, and other symbols are not permitted. The system will reject your choice if you try to include them.

Does my Epic username have to match my PlayStation or Xbox username?

No. Your Epic Games username is separate from your console usernames. You can have different names on each platform. Your friends will see your Epic display name in cross-platform games like Fortnite, regardless of what your PlayStation or Xbox account is called.