Your Fortnite name changes through Epic Games, not through Xbox

Your Fortnite username is separate from your Xbox gamertag. When you change your Xbox name, your Fortnite name stays the same unless you change it separately. To update what other players see in Fortnite, you log into your Epic Games account on a computer or phone and change it there — Xbox does not control this setting.

The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to own anything or pay a fee. You can change your Fortnite name once every 30 days, so plan ahead if you want a specific name.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fortnite username lives in your Epic Games account, not your Xbox account, so you must change it on the Epic Games website.
  • You can change your Fortnite name once every 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all platforms.
  • If your Epic Games account is not linked to your Xbox account, you will not see your Fortnite progress in the game.
  • The name you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters, cannot contain certain symbols, and cannot match a name already in use.

Steps to change your Fortnite username on the Epic Games website

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with the email and password for the Epic Games account linked to your Xbox. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot password" and follow the email recovery steps.

Once you are signed in, click your account name in the top right corner and select "Account". On the left side, click "General". Find the line that says "Display Name" and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new name in the box that appears. The name must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot include most special characters (hyphens and underscores are allowed). Click "Save" when you are done.

The new name appears in Fortnite the next time you launch the game. If you are already in a match, restart the game to see the change.

What happens if your chosen name is already taken

If someone else is already using the name you want, Epic Games will tell you "that display name is not available" when you try to save. You will need to choose a different name. Try adding a number at the end, using an underscore or hyphen, or spelling the name differently.

Names are not reserved, so if a player stops playing Fortnite, their name may eventually become available. You can try again later, but there is no way to request a specific name or put yourself on a waitlist.

Making sure your Epic Games account is linked to your Xbox

If you created your Fortnite account on Xbox without linking it to an Epic Games account first, you may not see a separate display name option. To fix this, sign in to www.epicgames.com, click your account name, and select "Connections". Look for Xbox Live and click "Connect". Follow the prompts to sign in with your Xbox account. This links the two accounts without losing your progress.

Once they are linked, you can change your display name through Epic Games, and it will show up in Fortnite on Xbox and any other platform where you play.

The 30-day waiting period between name changes

After you change your Fortnite name, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This rule applies even if you change it back to your old name. Epic Games enforces this to prevent people from cycling through names rapidly or impersonating other players.

If you change your name and when ready regret it, you cannot undo the change. Plan your new name carefully before you save it. If you made a typo or chose a name you dislike, you will have to wait 30 days before you can try again.

Changing your Xbox gamertag separately from your Fortnite name

Your Xbox gamertag (the name that shows on your Xbox profile and in Xbox games) is different from your Fortnite display name. If you want to change your Xbox gamertag as well, you do that through the Xbox app or on the Xbox website — not through Epic Games. The two changes are independent, so you can have different names on Xbox and in Fortnite.

Other players in Fortnite will see your Fortnite display name, not your Xbox gamertag. Your Xbox friends will see your Xbox gamertag. If you want them to match, you will need to change both separately.

Troubleshooting: Your name did not change in Fortnite

If you changed your display name on the Epic Games website but it still shows your old name in Fortnite, restart the game completely. Close Fortnite all the way (do not just go back to the Xbox home screen), wait 10 seconds, and launch it again. The new name should appear after you log back in.

If the name still does not change after restarting, make sure you are signed into Fortnite with the same Epic Games account where you made the change. If you have multiple Epic Games accounts, you may be playing on a different one. Check the account name in Fortnite's settings to confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you still have to wait 30 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert, you cannot do it when ready — you have to wait the full 30 days, then change it back. Plan ahead if you think you might want to switch names again soon.

Will changing my Fortnite name affect my level, skins, or battle pass progress?

No. Your display name is just what other players see. Your account level, cosmetics, V-Bucks, and battle pass progress stay exactly the same. Changing your name does not reset anything or cost you anything.

What if I forgot which email I used for my Epic Games account?

Go to www.epicgames.com and click "Forgot password". Enter any email address you think you used. If it is connected to an Epic Games account, you will get a password reset email. If it is not, you will see a message saying the email is not found. Try other email addresses until you find the right one.

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

You can use hyphens and underscores, but most other special characters are not allowed. Spaces are not allowed. Stick to letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores to avoid errors when you try to save.

Does my Fortnite name have to match my Xbox gamertag?

No. They are completely separate. You can have any Fortnite name you want, regardless of your Xbox gamertag. Other players in Fortnite will see your Fortnite display name, not your Xbox name.