You cannot change your Fallout 76 username after you create your character
Bethesda does not offer a built-in username change feature for Fallout 76. Once you name your character during the initial setup, that name is permanent on that character. If you want a different username, you will need to create a new character and start over from the beginning of the game.
This is different from some other online games that let you pay for a name change or request one through customer support. Fallout 76 treats the character name as a fixed part of that character's identity, similar to how single-player Fallout games work.
Key Takeaways
- Fallout 76 does not have a username change option, and Bethesda support cannot change a character name for you.
- Your character name is set when you first create the character and cannot be edited afterward.
- Creating a new character is the only way to get a different in-game name, though you keep your account and can switch between characters.
- You can have multiple characters on the same account, so you do not lose access to your existing character or progress on other characters.
- Your account username (used to log in) is separate from your character name and cannot be changed through the game itself.
Creating a new character with a different name
If you want to play under a new username, start a new character on your existing account. Launch Fallout 76, and from the main menu, select the option to create a new character. You will go through the character creation process again, including choosing a new name. This new character will start at level 1 in Vault 76, just as your first character did.
Your original character remains on your account untouched. You can switch between characters by returning to the main menu and selecting which one you want to play. This means you can keep your old character and all their progress while also having a new character with a different name.
Understanding the difference between account name and character name
Your Bethesda account username (the name you use to log into the launcher or website) is separate from your character name in Fallout 76. Other players see your character name when you are in the game world. Your account username is what appears in your Bethesda account settings and on the launcher.
If you want to change your Bethesda account username itself, you can do that through the Bethesda account website under account settings, though the process and availability depend on your account type and region. This is different from changing your character name in the game.
What happens to your old character
Creating a new character does not delete or affect your existing character. Your old character stays on your account with all their progress, items, and level intact. You can log back into that character at any time and continue playing from where you left off.
Your camp, stored items, and any progress you made with that character remain available. The only thing that changes is that you now have a second character slot in use. Fallout 76 allows multiple characters per account, so you are not forced to choose between keeping your old character and creating a new one.
Character slots and account limits
Most Fallout 76 accounts can have up to five characters at once. This means you can create multiple characters with different names without losing access to any of them. You switch between characters from the main menu before entering the game world.
If you reach your character limit and want to create another one, you would need to delete an existing character first. Deleting a character is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure you do not want that character anymore before you remove it.
Why Bethesda does not allow name changes
Bethesda built Fallout 76 with permanent character names to keep the game world consistent. Your character name becomes part of the game's record — it appears in your camp, on your player card, and in other players' social lists. Changing it retroactively would create confusion about who owns what camp or who is on someone's friends list.
Other online games have faced similar issues when they introduced name changes, including situations where old names became available and new players claimed them, or where players could not track who they were actually playing with. By keeping names permanent, Bethesda avoids these complications, though it means you cannot rename an existing character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bethesda support change my character name for me?
No. Bethesda support does not offer character name changes, even if you contact them directly. The only way to get a different name is to create a new character on your account.
Will I lose my progress if I create a new character?
No. Your old character and all their progress stay on your account. Creating a new character does not affect existing characters. You can switch between them from the main menu whenever you want.
Can I change my Bethesda account username instead?
Your Bethesda account username is separate from your character name. You may be able to change your account username through the Bethesda website, but this does not change your character's in-game name. Other players will still see your character name in the game world.
What if I delete my character and create a new one with the same name?
You can do this, but deleting a character is permanent and cannot be undone. Make sure you have transferred or stored anything important before you delete. Once deleted, that character and all their items are gone forever.
How many characters can I have at once?
Most accounts allow up to five characters. If you reach that limit, you must delete an existing character before you can create a new one. Deleted characters cannot be recovered.