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

Your Valorant username is tied to your Riot account, and Riot lets you change it through your account settings. The process takes about five minutes. You can change it once per month, and the new name takes effect when ready in your game client and on your profile.

The change applies across all Riot games you play — League of Legends, Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, and any others linked to the same account. If you change your name, your friends will see the new one the next time they log in, and your match history stays attached to your account.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Valorant username through your Riot account settings at account.riotgames.com, not through the game client itself.
  • Riot enforces a 30-day waiting period between name changes, so you cannot change it again until 30 days have passed since your last change.
  • Your new username must be between 3 and 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and cannot match a name already in use.
  • The name change is when ready across all your Riot games and shows up when ready to your friends and in your match history.

How to change your username step by step

Log into your Riot account at account.riotgames.com using the email and password you use for Valorant. Once you are logged in, look for the "Username" section on the left side of the page — it usually appears near the top of your account settings.

Click on the username field. Riot will show you a text box where you can type your new name. Enter the name you want, then click the button to confirm the change. Riot will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or breaks their naming rules. If it is available, the change goes live right away.

You do not need to restart your game client for the change to show up. The next time you launch Valorant or refresh the client, your new name will appear in your profile and in the player list during matches.

Naming rules and what Riot will reject

Your username must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. Riot will reject names that are already taken, even if they belong to inactive accounts.

Riot also blocks names that contain slurs, hate speech, or sexually explicit language. If you try to use a name that violates their code of conduct, the system will refuse it and tell you why. Names that impersonate Riot employees or famous players are also blocked. If you are unsure whether a name will work, try it — Riot's system gives you clear feedback before you confirm.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your username, you must wait 30 days before you can change it again. This timer starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first tried to change it. Riot displays a countdown on your account page showing when you will be able to change your name next.

If you change your mind when ready after changing your name, you cannot undo it or change it back right away. You have to wait the full 30 days. Plan your name change carefully, especially if you are changing it for a specific reason like a team rebrand or a streaming event.

What happens to your account history and friends list

Your match history, rank, agent statistics, and all your cosmetics stay attached to your account. Changing your name does not reset anything or create a new account. Your friends will see your new name the next time they log in or refresh their friends list, and you will still appear in their match history under your new name.

If you were in a party with someone when you changed your name, they might see your old name until they restart their client. This is just a display lag and clears up quickly. Your rank and competitive standing are completely unaffected by a name change.

If your desired name is already taken

Riot does not release old usernames from inactive accounts. If the name you want is taken, it stays taken even if the account has not been used in years. You will need to choose a different name or add numbers, hyphens, or underscores to make a variation of the name you want.

Some players use hyphens or underscores to create similar names — for example, if "Phoenix" is taken, you might use "Phoenix-" or "_Phoenix_". These count as different names in Riot's system. If you are trying to match a name across multiple games, check whether the name is available in each game before you settle on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to change my Riot username or just my Valorant username?

You only have one username across all Riot games. When you change it, it changes everywhere — Valorant, League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and any other Riot game on your account. You cannot have different names in different games.

Can I change my username if I have been banned or suspended?

If your account is currently suspended or banned, you cannot change your username until the suspension ends. Once your account is active again, the 30-day timer resets, so you can change your name when ready after the ban lifts.

What if I forgot my Riot account password?

Go to account.riotgames.com and click "Forgot your password?" You will receive a reset link at the email address attached to your account. Once you reset your password, you can log in and change your username normally.

Does changing my username affect my rank or competitive rating?

No. Your rank, rating points, and all competitive progress stay exactly the same. The name change is purely cosmetic and does not touch your game data or standing in any queue.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my username?

No. Riot only allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Emojis, accented characters, and other special symbols will be rejected. The system will tell you when ready if you try to use a character that is not allowed.