Change Your Epic Games Display Name Through the Website

Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not your Nintendo Switch profile. This means you change it on Epic's website, not through your Switch settings. The process takes about five minutes and works whether you play on Switch, PC, PlayStation, or mobile.

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the account you use for Fortnite. Click your account name in the top right corner and select Account. Find the section labeled General and look for Display Name. Click the pencil icon next to your current name to edit it.

Type your new username into the field. Epic Games allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Your new name must be between 3 and 16 characters. Once you type it, click Save. The change takes effect when ready across all platforms where you play Fortnite.

Key Takeaways

  • Fortnite usernames are managed through your Epic Games account on the website, not through Nintendo Switch settings.
  • You can change your display name by signing into epicgames.com, going to Account > General, and editing the Display Name field.
  • Usernames must be 3 to 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores.
  • The new username appears in Fortnite on your Switch and all other platforms within seconds.
  • You can change your display name once every 30 days; attempting to change it again before 30 days have passed will show an error.

What Happens If Your Desired Name Is Already Taken

If the username you want is already in use, Epic Games will tell you when you try to save it. The system does not hold names in reserve, so a name can become available if another player stops using it, but there is no way to know when that will happen.

You have two options: choose a variation of the name you want (adding numbers or an underscore), or pick something different. Many players add their birth year, a favorite number, or an underscore before or after their preferred name to make it unique.

The 30-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Once you change your display name, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This rule applies whether you changed it intentionally or had it changed by Epic Games support. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, the website will show you the exact date when you can make another change.

Plan your username change carefully. If you are not sure about a name, test it in a few matches before committing to it for the next month. You can always change it again after the 30 days are up.

Linking Your Epic Games Account to Your Switch

If you have never linked your Epic Games account to your Nintendo Switch, Fortnite will not recognize your username changes. You must connect them first. On your Switch, launch Fortnite and look for a prompt to link your Epic Games account, or go to www.epicgames.com/account/connections and sign in.

Click Connections and find Nintendo Switch in the list. Click Connect and follow the on-screen instructions. Your Switch will ask you to confirm the connection. Once linked, any changes you make to your Epic Games display name will show up in Fortnite on your Switch the next time you launch the game.

Why Your Switch Profile Name and Fortnite Name Are Different

Your Nintendo Switch profile has its own username, separate from your Fortnite name. Other Switch players see your Switch profile name when you play any game on the console. Only Fortnite players see your Epic Games display name when you play Fortnite.

If you want both names to match, you can change your Switch profile name through Switch settings (Profile > Profile Settings > Nickname), but this does not affect Fortnite. You will need to change your Epic Games display name separately using the steps above.

Troubleshooting: Your Name Change Did Not Appear in Fortnite

If you changed your display name on the Epic Games website but it is not showing up in Fortnite on your Switch, try closing the game completely and launching it again. Sometimes the game needs to refresh to pull the new name from your account.

If the old name still appears after restarting, sign out of Fortnite on your Switch and sign back in. Go to your Switch settings, select your profile, and choose User Settings. Then launch Fortnite again. If the name still has not updated after these steps, wait a few hours — in rare cases, the change takes longer to sync across Epic's servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite username from my Nintendo Switch without going to a website?

No. Fortnite usernames are managed only through the Epic Games website. You cannot change it through the Switch console itself or through the Fortnite app on Switch. You must visit epicgames.com on a computer or phone to make the change.

What if I forgot my Epic Games password?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click Sign In. Click Forgot your password? and enter the email address connected to your account. Epic will send you a password reset link. Check your email (including spam folders) and follow the link to create a new password.

Does changing my Fortnite username affect my V-Bucks or cosmetics?

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics stay with your Epic Games account regardless of what display name you use. The username is only what other players see — it does not change your account data or inventory.

Can I use special characters or spaces in my Fortnite username?

No. Fortnite usernames can only contain letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). Spaces, periods, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, Epic Games will reject the name when you try to save it.

How long does it take for my new Fortnite username to show up in matches?

The change is when ready on the Epic Games website, but it may take a few seconds to a few minutes to appear in Fortnite on your Switch. Restarting the game guarantees the new name will appear. Other players will see your new name in the next match you play after the change syncs.