Change your name in Fortnite through your Epic Games account settings

Your Fortnite display name comes from your Epic Games account, not from the game itself. To change it, you log into your Epic Games account on a web browser, go to Account Settings, find the Display Name field, and save the new name. The change takes effect when ready in Fortnite and across all Epic Games services.

You can change your display name once every 30 days. Epic Games enforces this limit to prevent impersonation and keep the community stable. If you changed your name recently, you will see a countdown timer showing when you can change it again.

The display name is what other players see when you play. It appears above your character, in the lobby, on your profile, and in match results. This is different from your Epic Games account username, which you cannot change — the display name is the one that matters in-game.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your display name by logging into your Epic Games account on a web browser, not inside Fortnite itself.
  • You can change your name once every 30 days, and the change shows up in Fortnite when ready.
  • Display names can be 3 to 16 characters long and cannot contain spaces, but can include numbers and underscores.
  • If you play on console, you may have a separate console username that is different from your Fortnite display name.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with your account email and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to enter a code from your authenticator app or email.

Once you are signed in, click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account. On the left side menu, click General. You will see your Display Name field near the top of the page.

Click the pencil icon next to your current display name to edit it. Type your new name, then click Save. Epic Games will confirm the change, and it will be live in Fortnite within seconds. You do not need to restart the game.

Rules for your new display name

Your display name must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters, numbers, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters like hyphens, periods, or symbols. Epic Games will reject names that contain profanity, slurs, or references to real people without permission.

Names that impersonate Epic Games staff, famous streamers, or other well-known players may be flagged and changed by Epic Games without warning. If your name violates the community standards, you may be forced to change it the next time you log in, and you will lose your 30-day cooldown.

Your display name is public and visible to everyone who plays with you. Choose something you are comfortable with other players seeing repeatedly.

Console players: display name versus console username

If you play Fortnite on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, you have two separate names. Your console username is your account name on that platform (PSN, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Network). Your Fortnite display name is what you set in your Epic Games account.

Other players see your Fortnite display name in the game, not your console username. However, if you are playing with friends who use the same console, they may see your console username in their friends list. The Fortnite display name is what matters for in-game visibility.

If you want to change your console username itself, you do that through your console's settings, not through Epic Games. That process is different for each platform and is separate from changing your Fortnite display name.

What to do if you cannot change your name

If you see a message saying you cannot change your name, the most common reason is that you changed it within the last 30 days. Check the countdown timer on the Display Name page to see when you will be able to change it again.

If the timer shows zero days remaining but you still cannot change your name, try signing out of your Epic Games account completely and signing back in. Sometimes the page does not refresh properly. If that does not work, clear your browser cache and try again in a different browser.

If your account was flagged for a name violation, you may be required to change your name the next time you log in. Epic Games will show you a message explaining this. In that case, you must choose a new name that follows the community standards before you can play.

Changing your name on mobile and cloud gaming

If you play Fortnite on a mobile device through Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Plus Premium, or GeForce Now, you still change your display name through the Epic Games website. The process is identical — log in on a web browser and update your account settings. Mobile and cloud versions use the same Epic Games account as your other devices.

Your display name will be the same across all platforms where you play Fortnite. If you change it on a web browser, it changes everywhere you play, whether that is PC, console, mobile, or cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once every 30 days?

No. Epic Games enforces a 30-day cooldown between name changes. If you need to change your name urgently because of harassment or safety concerns, contact Epic Games support through their website and explain the situation. They may override the cooldown in specific cases.

What happens to my old name when I change it?

Your old display name becomes available for other players to use after you change it. Your stats, cosmetics, and progress stay with your account — only the name changes. Other players will see your new name in match history and on leaderboards.

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

No. Fortnite display names can only contain letters (A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). Spaces, hyphens, periods, and other symbols are not allowed. Epic Games will reject the name if you try to save it with these characters.

Is my Fortnite display name the same as my Epic Games username?

No. Your Epic Games username is the account name you created when you signed up and cannot be changed. Your display name is what you set in account settings and what players see in Fortnite. You can change the display name; you cannot change the username.

Do I need to restart Fortnite after changing my name?

No. The change takes effect when ready. If you are already in the game, your name will update the next time you load into a match or return to the lobby. You do not need to close and reopen the game.