Yes, you can change your Fortnite username, but only once every 30 days

Your Fortnite username is the name other players see when you're in matches or on their friends list. Epic Games lets you change it through your account settings on their website, and the process takes about five minutes. The catch is the 30-day waiting period — after you change your name, you have to wait a full month before you can change it again.

You'll need to be logged into your Epic Games account to make the change. The name you pick has to be between 3 and 16 characters, can't contain spaces, and can't match a name that's already taken by another player. Epic Games also blocks names that include profanity or impersonate real people or brands.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your username through the Epic Games website in your account settings, not inside the Fortnite game itself.
  • Each username change locks you out of changing it again for 30 days from the date you made the change.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain no spaces, and cannot already be taken by another player.
  • If you see an error message saying the name is unavailable, that name is either taken or blocked by Epic Games for violating their naming rules.

Step-by-step: changing your username on the Epic Games website

Start by going to www.epicgames.com and clicking the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password for your Epic Games account. If you use two-factor authentication, you'll need to enter the code from your authenticator app or email.

Once you're logged in, click your account name in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, click General. You'll see your current display name listed under "Display Name" — click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username into the text box, then click Save. The page will confirm the change was successful, and your new name will appear in Fortnite within a few minutes.

What happens if your chosen name is already taken

When you try to save a username that another player already has, Epic Games will show you an error message saying the name is unavailable. You'll need to pick a different name and try again. There's no way to reserve a name or get on a waiting list — you straightforward have to choose something else.

If you're set on a particular name, you can try variations: adding numbers at the end, using underscores, or changing one letter. For example, if "ShadowKnight" is taken, you might try "ShadowKnight1" or "Shadow_Knight". Keep in mind that the name you pick will be visible to everyone you play with, so choose something you're comfortable with other players seeing.

The 30-day cooldown between username changes

After you change your username, Epic Games prevents you from changing it again for 30 days. This timer starts from the exact date and time you made the change, not from the start of the next calendar day. If you change your name on March 15 at 2:00 PM, you won't be able to change it again until April 14 at 2:00 PM.

If you try to change your name before the 30 days are up, you'll see a message telling you when you'll be able to change it next. There's no way to bypass this cooldown or reset it early — you have to wait the full 30 days. This rule applies whether you're changing your name for the first time or the hundredth time.

Naming rules and blocked words

Epic Games blocks usernames that contain profanity, impersonate real people or companies, or include certain offensive language. The system checks automatically when you try to save, so you'll get an error message if your chosen name violates these rules. The error won't tell you exactly which word triggered it — you'll just see that the name is unavailable.

Usernames also cannot contain spaces, and Epic Games doesn't allow names that are identical to famous people, celebrities, or major brands. If you're trying to use a name that seems reasonable but keeps getting rejected, try removing any numbers, changing the spelling slightly, or adding an underscore between words.

Your display name versus your account name

The username you change in your account settings is your display name — this is what other players see in the game. This is different from your Epic Games account name, which is the email address you use to log in. You cannot change your account name (email), but you can change your display name as often as the 30-day cooldown allows.

Your display name is what appears on your profile, in the friends list, and above your character in matches. Your account name stays private and is only used for logging in. If you want to change the email address associated with your account, you'll need to go to the Security section of your account settings, but that's a separate process from changing your display name.

What to do if you can't access your account

If you've forgotten your password, go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Click Forgot your password? and enter the email address for your account. Epic Games will send you a password reset link. Click the link in the email, create a new password, and you'll be able to log in again.

If you don't have access to the email address associated with your account, or if you think your account has been compromised, contact Epic Games support through their website. Go to www.epicgames.com/help and click Contact Us. Describe your situation, and a support agent will help you regain access to your account. This process can take a few days, so be patient while they verify your identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my username affect my progress or cosmetics?

No. Your skins, emotes, V-Bucks, battle pass progress, and all your game data stay exactly the same when you change your username. Only the name that other players see changes — everything else on your account remains unchanged.

Can I change my username on mobile or console?

You have to change your username through the Epic Games website on a computer or phone browser. You cannot change it from inside the Fortnite game on any platform — console, mobile, or PC. Log into your Epic Games account online and follow the steps in your account settings.

What if someone else is using a username I want?

If another player has the name you want, you cannot take it from them. Usernames are first-come, first-served, and there's no way to claim a name that's already in use. Your only option is to choose a different name or wait to see if that player changes their name in the future.

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 30 days between changes. If you changed your name from "OldName" to "NewName" today, you could change it back to "OldName" in 30 days, as long as no one else has claimed that name in the meantime. If someone else took "OldName" while you were using "NewName", you won't be able to get it back.

Will my friends still see me on their friends list after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends will still see you on their friends list, and you'll still see them on yours. The only thing that changes is the name displayed next to your account. All your friendships, party invites, and messages stay connected to your account, not your username.