You can change your summoner name through the League client, but it costs 1,300 Riot Points and takes effect when ready

Open the League of Legends client, click on your summoner name in the top right corner, and select "Change Summoner Name." You'll be taken to a screen where you can enter your new name, review Riot's naming rules, and confirm the purchase. The name change costs 1,300 Riot Points (the premium currency you buy with real money), and your new name becomes active as soon as the transaction completes. You cannot change your name back to a previous one for 30 days.

If you don't have Riot Points in your account, you'll need to buy them first. Riot Points are sold in bundles starting at 650 points for roughly $5 USD, though pricing varies by region and payment method. You can only purchase Riot Points through the official League client or the Riot Games website — never through third-party sellers.

Key Takeaways

  • Name changes cost 1,300 Riot Points and happen when ready through the League client.
  • Your old summoner name becomes available for other players to claim after 30 days.
  • New names must follow Riot's rules: no offensive language, no impersonation of pro players or streamers, and no names that look like account recovery attempts.
  • If your account is restricted or banned, you cannot change your name until the restriction is lifted.
  • You can change your name as often as you want, but each change costs the full 1,300 Riot Points.

Where to find the name change option in the client

Log into the League of Legends client and look at the top right corner of the home screen. You'll see your current summoner name displayed there. Click on it directly, and a dropdown menu will appear with several options including "Change Summoner Name," "Profile," and "Sign Out."

If you don't see the dropdown, make sure you're on the main home screen of the client, not in a game or champion select. The summoner name button only appears when you're logged in and not in an active match.

What names Riot will reject

Riot Games has a list of naming rules that all summoner names must follow. Names cannot contain profanity, slurs, or hate speech in any language. Names that impersonate professional players, popular streamers, or Riot employees will be rejected — for example, you cannot use "Faker" or "Doublelift" as your summoner name. Names that look like phishing attempts or account recovery scams (such as "Verify Your Account" or "Confirm Password") are also blocked.

Names with excessive special characters, numbers that make the name unreadable, or names that are purely numbers will be rejected. Riot also blocks names that are trademarked by other companies or that reference real-world violence or illegal activity. If your chosen name is rejected during the change process, the client will tell you why and let you try a different name without charging you.

How to get Riot Points if you don't have them

Riot Points are purchased through the League client or the official Riot Games website. In the client, click the RP icon (usually in the top right near your summoner name) and you'll be taken to the purchase screen. Select the bundle size you want — common sizes are 650 RP, 1,300 RP, 2,600 RP, and 5,000 RP. Larger bundles offer slightly better value per point, but you only need 1,300 RP for a name change.

Payment methods vary by region but typically include credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and regional payment services. After you complete the purchase, the RP appears in your account when ready and you can use it right away. Riot Points never expire and can be used for name changes, cosmetic skins, emotes, or other in-game purchases.

What happens to your old name after you change it

When you change your summoner name, your old name enters a 30-day holding period. During those 30 days, no other player can claim that name — it's reserved. After 30 days, the name becomes available and any other player can take it. This means if you had a name you were proud of, someone else might use it after a month.

Your match history, rank, and all your account data stay exactly the same. The name change only affects what other players see when they look at your profile or encounter you in a game. Your account ID (a number assigned to your account) never changes, so Riot's systems always know who you are regardless of what name you're using.

Why you might not be able to change your name

If your account is under a ranked restriction, chat restriction, or suspension, you cannot change your summoner name until the restriction is lifted. Riot enforces this to prevent players from evading consequences for rule violations. If you try to change your name while restricted, the client will show you an error message explaining that you must wait until the restriction ends.

You also cannot change your name if you've changed it within the last 30 days using a name that's still in the holding period. For example, if you changed from "OldName" to "NewName" today, you cannot change back to "OldName" for 30 days. You can change to a completely different third name when ready, but you're locked out of your previous name temporarily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my summoner name for free?

No. Every summoner name change costs 1,300 Riot Points, which requires spending real money. Riot does not offer free name changes except in rare cases where they've made a system error or you've reported a bug. There's no way around the cost.

What if someone else takes my old name after 30 days?

Once the 30-day holding period ends, your old name is fair game. If someone claims it, you cannot get it back unless they voluntarily change their name. Riot does not restore old names to previous owners. If your old name was important to you, consider changing to a new name you like equally well.

Do I lose my rank or skins when I change my name?

No. Your rank, skins, champions, and all account progress stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Everyone can still see your full match history and ranked statistics under your new name.

How long does a name change take to show up?

The name change is when ready. As soon as you confirm the purchase and the transaction completes, your new name appears in the client and in all your games. Other players will see your new name the next time they encounter you or look at your profile.

Can I change my name if I'm banned?

No. If your account is suspended or permanently banned, you cannot change your summoner name. Riot prevents this to stop banned players from creating confusion about their identity. If your ban is temporary, you can change your name once the ban expires.