Yes, you can change your Valorant username, but only once every 30 days
Your Valorant username is tied to your Riot account, not to Valorant alone. When you change it, the new name appears across all Riot games you play — League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, Valorant, and any others linked to that account. The change takes effect when ready in-game, though it may take a few minutes to update in the client.
Riot allows one username change every 30 days. If you changed your name recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again. There is no cost to change your username, and you do not lose your rank, MMR, or any cosmetics when you do.
Key Takeaways
- You change your Valorant username through your Riot account settings, not through the Valorant client itself.
- The change applies to all Riot games on your account at once — you cannot have different names in Valorant and League of Legends.
- You can change your username once every 30 days, and Riot counts from the date of your last change, not from the calendar month.
- The new username appears in-game when ready, though it may take a few minutes to sync across the client and in-game chat.
- Certain names are blocked: Riot reserves names of Valorant agents, names containing slurs or hate speech, and names that impersonate Riot staff.
Where to change your username in the Riot client
Open the Riot client and log in with your account. In the top right corner, click your account icon (a small circle with your profile picture). A dropdown menu will appear. Select Account from this menu.
You will be taken to your Riot account page in your web browser. On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with several options. Click Username. The page will show your current username and a text field where you can enter a new one. Type your desired new username and click the Change Username button.
If you see a message saying you cannot change your username yet, you have already changed it within the last 30 days. The page will show you the exact date when you can change it again. If the name you entered is already taken or violates Riot's naming policy, you will see an error message and can try a different name.
What names Riot will not allow
Riot blocks usernames that match the names of Valorant agents — you cannot use Jett, Phoenix, Sage, Reyna, Cypher, Sova, Breach, Omen, Brimstone, Viper, Killjoy, Skye, Yoru, Astra, Kay/O, Chamber, Neon, Fade, Harbor, Gekko, Iso, or Clove. This prevents confusion in team chat and keeps agent callouts clear.
Usernames containing slurs, hate speech, or references to real violence are permanently blocked. Riot also blocks names that impersonate Riot staff or use official Riot branding. Names that are purely numbers or consist only of special characters are rejected as well. If your chosen name is blocked, the system will tell you it is unavailable without always explaining why.
How long the change takes to appear everywhere
The new username shows in the Valorant client and in-game almost when ready — usually within seconds of clicking the change button. However, it may take a few minutes to update in the social features of the client, such as your friends list or party chat. Other players will see your new name the next time they load into a match with you.
If you are in the middle of a match when you change your username, the old name may still appear in that match's scoreboard. The new name will appear in your next match. There is no need to restart the client or the game for the change to take effect.
What stays the same when you change your username
Your rank, rating points (RR), and competitive history do not change when you update your username. All your cosmetics — skins, weapon buddies, cards, sprays, and titles — remain on your account. Your match history is still tied to your account, so past games will show your new name when you look them up.
Your friends list is not affected. Friends who had you added will still see you in their list with your new name. You do not need to re-add anyone or ask them to re-add you. If you were in a Discord server or a clan, your membership stays active, though the server or clan will see your new in-game name.
If you cannot change your username yet
The 30-day timer runs from the date you last changed your username, not from the first of the month. If you changed your name on March 15, you can change it again on April 14. The Riot account page will show you the exact date when the change becomes available again.
If you see an error message that is not about the 30-day timer or a blocked name, try logging out of the Riot client completely and logging back in. Clear your browser cache if you are viewing the account page in your web browser. If the problem persists, contact Riot Support through the support portal on the Riot Games website — they can investigate account-specific issues that the standard interface does not surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my username affect my rank or MMR?
No. Your rank, rating points, and all competitive progress stay exactly the same. The username is just a display name — it does not touch any of your account data or statistics.
Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?
No. Riot enforces a hard 30-day limit between changes. The timer resets from the date of your last change, not from the calendar month. If you need to change it again sooner, you will have to wait.
What happens if I use a name that gets banned later?
If Riot adds a new agent or blocks a category of names after you chose yours, they will not force you to change it retroactively. However, if your name violates their policy at the time you try to change it again, you will not be able to use it.
Will my friends still see me if I change my username?
Yes. Your friends list connection is tied to your Riot account ID, not your username. Friends will see your new name when ready, and you will remain in their friends list without any action needed.
Can I change my username if I have a name change cooldown from a penalty?
If Riot has restricted your account for behavioral reasons, you may not be able to change your username until the restriction lifts. Check your account status on the Riot support page to see if any restrictions are active.