Your Fortnite name changes through Epic Games, not through Nintendo

Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not your Nintendo Switch profile. This means you change it in the Epic Games launcher or website, even though you play on Switch. Nintendo's username change (which you may have already done) only affects what appears on your Switch console — it does not change your Fortnite name in-game.

The process takes about five minutes and requires you to log into your Epic Games account from a computer or phone. You cannot change your Fortnite name directly from the Switch itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, separate from your Nintendo Switch username.
  • You must log into epicgames.com or use the Epic Games app on a computer or phone to change your Fortnite name.
  • Epic Games allows one free name change, then charges 1,000 V-Bucks (about $10) for each change after that.
  • The name change takes effect when ready in Fortnite, but may take a few minutes to show in your friends' lists.

Steps to change your name on the Epic Games website

Go to epicgames.com and sign in with the email and password for the Epic Games account linked to your Switch. If you are not sure whether you have an Epic Games account, you created one when you first played Fortnite on Switch — it may use your Nintendo email or a different one.

Once logged in, click your account name in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side, click General. You will see a field labeled Display Name — this is your Fortnite username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new name. Fortnite usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or special characters. Click Save when you are done. If the name is already taken, Epic Games will tell you when ready and you will need to choose a different one.

Using the Epic Games app on Windows or Mac

If you prefer to change your name from your computer, you can use the Epic Games launcher. read and install it from epicgames.com/read, then open it and sign in with your account.

Click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account. Navigate to General on the left, find Display Name, and click the pencil icon. Enter your new username and click Save. The process is identical to the website method.

What happens if you have already used your free name change

Epic Games gives every account one free Fortnite name change. If you have already used yours, changing your name again costs 1,000 V-Bucks. V-Bucks are Fortnite's in-game currency, and 1,000 of them cost roughly $10 USD (the exact price varies by region and platform).

You can purchase V-Bucks directly from the Fortnite item shop on your Switch, or from epicgames.com. Once you have enough V-Bucks in your account, the option to change your name for 1,000 V-Bucks will appear next to your current display name.

Linking your Nintendo account to Epic Games if you have not already

If you started playing Fortnite on Switch without linking your account to Epic Games, you may not have direct access to change your name. To link them now, go to www.epicgames.com/account/connections while logged into your Epic Games account.

Find Nintendo Network in the list and click Connect. You will be asked to sign in with your Nintendo account. Once linked, your Switch progress and cosmetics will be tied to that Epic Games account, and you can manage your Fortnite username from there.

Why your new name might not show up when ready

Your Fortnite username changes when ready in your own account and in the game client. However, it can take a few minutes to a few hours for the new name to appear in your friends' lists, in match history, or on leaderboards. This is normal and does not mean anything went wrong.

If you are in the middle of a match when you change your name, you may need to restart Fortnite for the change to display in-game. Close the game completely and reopen it to see your new username.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite name from the Switch menu?

No. The Switch only lets you change your console username, which does not affect Fortnite. You must log into epicgames.com or the Epic Games app on a computer to change your Fortnite display name.

What if I forgot the email or password for my Epic Games account?

Go to epicgames.com/login and click Forgot your password? Enter the email associated with your account and Epic Games will send you a reset link. If you do not remember the email, click Can't sign in? and follow the account recovery steps.

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

No. Your V-Bucks, skins, emotes, and all other cosmetics stay with your account. Only your display name changes. Everything else remains exactly as it was.

How long does it take for my new name to show in my friends' lists?

Usually a few minutes, but it can take up to a few hours for the change to sync across all of Fortnite's systems. If you are in a match, restart the game to see your new name when ready.

Can I change my name back to my old one for free?

No. Once you use your one free name change, any future changes cost 1,000 V-Bucks, even if you want to go back to a previous name. Choose your new name carefully.