The fastest way to change your username

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign into your account. Click your account name in the top right corner, then select Account. On the left side menu, click General. You will see your current display name listed there. Click the pencil icon next to it, type your new username, and click Save. The change takes effect when ready.

Your new username appears in Fortnite, Rocket League, Fall Guys, and any other Epic Games titles you play within a few minutes. Other players will see the updated name the next time you join a match or appear in their friends list. You do not need to restart your game or log out and back in.

Epic Games allows you to change your display name once every 14 days. If you try to change it again before 14 days have passed, the website will show you a countdown timer telling you when the next change becomes available. This limit applies whether you change it through the website or through a game's settings menu.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your display name through your Epic Games account settings on the website, not through the game itself.
  • The new username appears across all Epic Games titles within a few minutes and does not require a game restart.
  • Epic Games enforces a 14-day waiting period between username changes to prevent abuse.
  • Your old username becomes available for other players to claim after you change it, so choose a new one you plan to keep.
  • Usernames cannot contain certain words or symbols, and Epic Games may reject names that violate their code of conduct.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your display name, your previous username enters a holding period. Epic Games does not when ready release it to other players. The old name stays reserved under your account for a set time, usually around 30 days, though Epic has not published the exact duration publicly.

After that holding period ends, your old username becomes available for anyone else to claim. This means if you change your name and later regret it, you cannot straightforward change back to the old one if too much time has passed. Plan your new username carefully, because reclaiming an old one is not may provide.

Restrictions on what you can name yourself

Epic Games blocks certain usernames automatically. You cannot use display names that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. The system also rejects names that impersonate Epic Games staff, famous public figures, or other well-known players — though the exact rules for impersonation are not detailed publicly.

Usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, but not spaces or special characters like @, #, or $. If you try to save a name that violates these rules, the website will show an error message explaining why the name was rejected and let you try again when ready.

Changing your username through the game instead of the website

Most Epic Games titles let you change your display name directly from the game's settings menu without visiting the website. In Fortnite, go to Settings, select Account, and look for Display Name. The same 14-day cooldown applies, and the change syncs across all your games just as it does when you change it on the website.

Using the in-game method is faster if you are already playing, but both routes lead to the same result. If the in-game option does not appear or shows an error, the website method will always work as a backup. Some older or less frequently updated titles may not have the in-game option, so the website remains the universal approach.

Troubleshooting a rejected username

If Epic Games rejects your chosen name, the error message usually tells you why — most often because it contains blocked words, is too short or too long, or uses characters that are not allowed. Read the error carefully and try a variation. If you used numbers or underscores, try removing them. If the name is close to a celebrity or public figure, add a number or underscore to make it distinct.

If you believe your username was rejected unfairly or you cannot figure out why it was blocked, you can contact Epic Games support through their website. Go to www.epicgames.com/help, click Contact Us, and describe the issue. Support typically responds within 24 to 48 hours, though response times vary depending on how busy they are.

Why you might want to change your username

Players change their display names for many reasons. You might want something shorter, easier to spell, or more professional if you stream or compete. You may have outgrown an old username or want to distance yourself from an old gaming identity. Some players change names to avoid being recognized by people they played with years ago.

The 14-day cooldown means you should think through your new name before you commit. Write it down, say it out loud, and imagine seeing it in a leaderboard or on a stream. Once you change it, you are locked into that name for two weeks, so a few minutes of planning saves frustration later.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Epic Games enforces a strict 14-day waiting period between changes. If you try to change your name before the cooldown expires, the website will show you exactly how many days remain. You cannot bypass this limit by contacting support or using a different method.

Will my friends still see me after I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list does not break when you change your display name. Your account stays the same — only the name that appears changes. Friends will see your new username the next time they log in or refresh their friends list, usually within a few minutes.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change it?

Epic Games holds your old username for a period before releasing it to others. Once released, anyone can claim it. If you regret your change, you cannot reclaim the old name if someone else has already taken it. This is why planning your new name carefully matters.

Does changing my username affect my game progress or cosmetics?

No. Your account, progress, cosmetics, and V-Bucks all stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed to other players changes. You keep all your skins, emotes, battle pass progress, and everything else you own.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my username?

No. Epic Games only allows letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Spaces, periods, @, #, $, and other special characters are not permitted. If you want to separate words, use an underscore or hyphen instead.