Yes, you can change your Fortnite username, but the process depends on which account type you use

If you play Fortnite through an Epic Games account, you can change your display name (the name other players see) once every 14 days at no cost. The actual Epic Games account name — the one you log in with — cannot be changed, but most players only care about the display name anyway, since that is what shows up in matches and on your friends list.

If you play through a console account linked to Fortnite (PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch), your Fortnite name is tied to that console's account name. Changing it requires changing your console account name, which affects your entire console experience, not just Fortnite. This is a bigger step and worth understanding before you do it.

Key Takeaways

  • Epic Games accounts let you change your display name every 14 days for free through the Epic Games website, with no cost or special permission needed.
  • Console accounts (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) require you to change your console account name, which changes your name across all games and services on that console.
  • Display name changes take effect when ready in Fortnite, but the 14-day cooldown prevents you from changing again until that period passes.
  • Your account email and password stay the same no matter what name you choose — changing your name does not affect how you log in.

Changing your display name on an Epic Games account

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with your account email and password. Click your account name in the top right corner, then select Account. On the left side, click General. You will see a field labeled Display Name — this is the name other players see.

Click the pencil icon next to your current display name to edit it. Type your new name (it can be 1 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only, no spaces or special characters). Click Save. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite, and you will see your new name the next time you load the game.

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 14 days. The countdown starts the moment you save the change. If you try to change it before 14 days have passed, the website will show you how many days are left in the cooldown period.

Changing your name on a console account

If your Fortnite account is linked to a PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch account, your Fortnite name comes from that console account. To change it, you change the console account name itself.

On PlayStation: Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Edit Profile. Select Profile Name and type your new name. Save the change. This new name will appear in Fortnite and everywhere else on your PlayStation.

On Xbox: Go to Settings > Account > Personalization > Gamertag. Select Change Gamertag. Your first change is free; after that, each change costs money (the price varies by region). Type your new name and confirm. The change takes effect when ready across Xbox and Fortnite.

On Nintendo Switch: Go to System Settings > Users > Select User > Profile > Nickname. Type your new name and save. The change appears in Fortnite and all other Switch games.

What happens to your old name and your friends list

When you change your display name on an Epic Games account, your old name becomes available for someone else to use. Your friends will see your new name in their friends list the next time they load Fortnite. They do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end.

Your account itself does not change — your progress, V-Bucks, cosmetics, and battle pass all stay with you. Only the name that appears to other players changes.

Names that will not work

Fortnite blocks display names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people (like celebrities or politicians). Names that look like they are trying to impersonate Epic Games staff or famous players are also rejected. If you try to save a name and it does not work, the website will tell you why and ask you to choose a different one.

Names with spaces, punctuation, or special characters (like @, #, or !) are not allowed. You can use letters (a–z, A–Z) and numbers (0–9) only.

If you linked the wrong account or want to unlink

If you created a Fortnite account with one email address and later linked it to a console account, you can unlink it. Go to www.epicgames.com, sign in, click your account name, select Connections, and find the console platform you want to unlink. Click Disconnect. After you unlink, you can link a different console account or keep playing on the Epic Games account alone.

Unlinking does not delete your account or your progress. You can still log in with your email and password and play Fortnite on PC or through the Epic Games Launcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite name more than once?

Yes. On Epic Games accounts, you can change your display name every 14 days. On console accounts, the rules depend on your platform — PlayStation and Nintendo Switch allow free changes anytime, but Xbox charges money after your first free change.

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

No. Your account, progress, cosmetics, and V-Bucks stay with you. Only the name that appears to other players changes.

What if someone else took the name I want?

Display names on Epic Games accounts do not have to be unique — multiple players can have the same display name. If you want a name that someone else has, you can still use it. Your account ID (a number behind the scenes) is what actually identifies you.

Can I change my name back to my old one?

Yes, as long as you wait 14 days after your last change. You can cycle through old names or pick a new one each time. There is no limit to how many different names you use over time.

Does changing my name change my login email or password?

No. Your email and password stay the same. You log in the same way — the display name change only affects what other players see in the game.