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

Epic Games lets you change the display name that appears above your character in matches, on your profile, and in friend lists. The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play — PC, console, or mobile. You cannot change it again for 30 days after you make the change, so pick a name you are comfortable with for at least a month.

The process itself takes about two minutes and happens through your Epic Games account settings, not inside the game. You do not need to buy anything or contact support unless something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your display name once every 30 days through your Epic Games account website, not through the Fortnite game itself.
  • Your new username appears everywhere — in matches, on your profile, and to your friends — within seconds of saving it.
  • Epic Games has rules about what usernames are allowed: no impersonation of real people or celebrities, no hate speech, and no excessive profanity.
  • If your desired name is taken, you cannot claim it; you will need to choose something different or wait to see if the other account becomes inactive.
  • Changing your username does not affect your account security, progress, V-Bucks, or cosmetics — everything stays with your account.

How to change your username through Epic Games

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 a field labeled Display Name with your current username next to it.

Click the pencil icon or the Edit button next to your display name. Type your new username into the box that appears. Epic Games will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or breaks their naming rules. If it is available and allowed, click Save or Confirm. The change is live within seconds.

If you are playing on console and signed in through a console account linked to Epic Games, the same process works — change it on the Epic Games website and it updates on your console automatically.

What usernames Epic Games will not allow

Epic Games rejects usernames that impersonate real people, celebrities, or public figures — you cannot create a name that looks like you are someone famous. Names containing hate speech, slurs, or excessive profanity are blocked. Usernames that look like they belong to Epic Games staff or moderators are also rejected, as are names designed to scam or mislead other players.

The system is automated, so sometimes legitimate names get flagged by mistake. If you believe your chosen name was rejected unfairly, you can contact Epic Games support through their website, though response times vary. In most cases, picking a slightly different variation of your intended name — adding a number, underscore, or different spelling — will get around the filter.

What happens to your old username

Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it. There is no grace period or hold. If you change from "Player123" to "NewName456", another account can when ready take "Player123" if they want it. This is why you should not change your username to something you might want back later.

Your account history, friends list, and all your cosmetics stay attached to your account no matter what name you use. Other players who had you added as a friend will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new one.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you are locked out of changing it again for 30 days. This timer starts the moment you save the new name, not at midnight or on any schedule. If you change your name on March 15 at 2 p.m., you cannot change it again until April 14 at 2 p.m.

Epic Games enforces this rule to prevent account takeover fraud and to keep the username system stable. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot rapidly cycle through names to hide their activity or lock you out of reclaiming your original name.

Changing your username does not affect your account security or progress

Your display name is separate from your account login. Changing your username does not change your email address, password, or two-factor authentication settings. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and battle pass progress all stay with your account. Friends who had you added will still see you as a friend, just with a new name.

If you are worried about account security for a different reason — like you think someone else has access to your account — change your password and enable two-factor authentication through your account settings. A username change alone will not protect a compromised account.

What to do if your desired username is taken

If the name you want is already in use, Epic Games will not let you have it. There is no waitlist or reservation system. Your only options are to choose a different name or wait to see if the account using that name becomes inactive and gets cleaned up by Epic Games.

Epic Games does periodically remove usernames from inactive accounts, but there is no public schedule for when this happens. If you see a username you want but it is taken, you could try adding numbers, underscores, or slight spelling variations to create something similar. Many players use formats like "NameXXX" or "Name_" when their first choice is unavailable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a strict 30-day cooldown between username changes. The timer resets each time you make a change, so if you change your name and then change your mind two days later, you still have to wait 28 more days before you can change it again.

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

Yes. Your friends list is tied to your account, not your username. When you change your display name, your friends will see the new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list. You will still appear in their friends list with all your previous history intact.

What if I forget what my current username is?

Log into your Epic Games account on the website and go to Account > General. Your current display name is shown right there. You can also see it in Fortnite by opening your profile in-game, though the website is the fastest way to check.

Can I change my username if my account is banned?

If your account is temporarily suspended, you can still change your username. If your account is permanently banned, Epic Games will not let you make changes. If you believe your ban was a mistake, contact Epic Games support before trying to change anything else on your account.

Does changing my username affect my rank or stats?

No. Your rank, wins, kills, and all other statistics stay attached to your account regardless of what name you use. Leaderboards and competitive records show your current username, but the underlying stats do not change when you update your name.