You can change your Twitch username once every 60 days through your account settings
Log into your Twitch account, go to Settings, select the Account tab, and look for the "Username" field. Click the pencil icon next to your current name, type your new username, and click "Change Username" to confirm. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes for the new name to appear everywhere on the platform.
Your new username must be between 4 and 25 characters long, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number. Twitch reserves certain usernames and will not let you use them — if you see an error message, the name you chose is either taken or restricted.
Once you change your username, your old name becomes available for someone else to claim after a short waiting period. If you think you might want to go back to it later, write it down before you make the switch.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your username once every 60 days, and the change is when ready across your channel, chat history, and followers list.
- Your new username must be 4 to 25 characters, use only letters, numbers, and underscores, and cannot start with a number.
- If Twitch rejects your choice, the name is either already taken or on the platform's reserved list — try a different variation.
- Your old username becomes available for others to claim after you change it, so save it if you think you might want it back someday.
What happens to your channel and followers when you change your name
Your channel URL changes to match your new username, so anyone with a bookmark or link to your old URL will see a 404 error. Twitch does not automatically redirect old links, so if you have promoted your channel on social media or a website, you will need to update those links yourself.
Your followers do not unfollow you when you change your name. They will see your new username in their follow list and in chat, but the follow itself stays intact. Subscribers also remain subscribed — the change does not affect their subscription status or billing.
Your chat history, stream archives, and clips all stay attached to your account. The messages and videos do not disappear, but they will show your new username when someone views them. If you streamed under your old name and want people to find those past broadcasts, you may want to mention the name change in your channel description or panels.
The 60-day waiting period between changes
Twitch enforces a 60-day cooldown after each username change. If you change your name today, you cannot change it again for 60 days, even if you want to switch back to your old name or try something different. This rule applies to every account, with no exceptions.
The timer starts the moment you confirm the change, not when you click the pencil icon. If you are unsure about a new name, take time to think it through before you submit — you will be stuck with it for two months.
Usernames that Twitch will not let you use
Twitch reserves usernames for its own use, for well-known public figures, and for accounts that have been suspended or banned. You cannot use usernames like "twitch", "admin", "moderator", or the names of major streamers and celebrities. The platform also blocks usernames that are too similar to reserved names — for example, if "pokimane" is reserved, "pokimane1" or "pokimane_" may also be blocked.
If you try to claim a username and Twitch rejects it without saying it is taken, the name is on the reserved list. Your only option is to choose a different name. There is no way to request an exception or to see the full list of reserved usernames in advance.
How to pick a username you will not regret
Choose a name that reflects what you stream or who you are, but avoid names tied to trends or memes that may feel dated in a year. If you are building a brand around your real name or a consistent online identity, use that — it makes you easier to find and remember across platforms.
Test the name by saying it out loud and imagining someone typing it into a search box. Is it straightforward to spell? Does it have an obvious meaning that might embarrass you later? Will it still make sense if your interests change?
Keep in mind that your username is public and appears in chat, on your channel page, and in search results. If you stream to a professional audience or want to keep your streaming separate from your personal life, choose a name that does not reveal information you want to keep private.
What to do if your desired username is taken
If the username you want is already in use, you have a few options. You can add a number, underscore, or short word to make it unique — "username1", "username_", or "username_tv" are common variations. You can also wait to see if the account becomes inactive and the name is recycled, though Twitch does not publish a timeline for when that happens.
Check whether the account holding the name is actually active. If it has not streamed in years and has no followers, it may eventually be reclaimed by Twitch, but there is no way to know when. Messaging the account owner to ask if they will change their name rarely works, but it costs nothing to try if the account is still active.
Changing your display name versus your username
Twitch has two separate name fields: your username (the one you log in with and that appears in your channel URL) and your display name (what viewers see in chat and on your channel page). You can change your display name as often as you want, but you can only change your username once every 60 days.
If you want a different look without waiting 60 days, change your display name instead. Go to Settings, select Account, find the "Display Name" field, and type what you want viewers to see. This change is when ready and has no cooldown, though it can be confusing to have a different display name and username — most streamers keep them the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username back to my old one after 60 days?
Yes, after 60 days you can change to any available username, including your old one — as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone took your old name, you will have to choose something different or wait to see if that person abandons it.
Do my emotes and channel points carry over when I change my username?
Yes. Your channel points, custom emotes, and all other channel features stay with your account. The emotes will still work in your chat and in other channels that have added them, regardless of your new username.
Will my Twitch Partner status or monetization be affected?
No. Your Partner status, affiliate status, and any monetization features remain active after a username change. Your revenue and payout information stays the same.
What if I change my username and then want to stream on a different platform?
Your Twitch username change does not affect other platforms. If you use the same name on YouTube, Discord, or Twitter, you will need to change those separately if you want them to match your new Twitch name.
Can I use special characters or spaces in my username?
No. Twitch only allows letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, periods, or any other special characters. Usernames are also case-insensitive, so "Username" and "username" are treated as the same name.