Change your Bethesda username through the account settings page

You change your Bethesda username by logging into your account on Bethesda.net, going to your account settings, and updating the display name field. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up across all Bethesda services like The Elder Scrolls Online or Fallout 76. You cannot change the email address tied to your account through the same process — that requires a separate verification step.

Your Bethesda username is different from your character names in individual games. Changing your account username does not rename your existing characters; it only changes how your name appears on your profile and in social features like friend lists and chat.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into Bethesda.net, select your account icon, and choose Account Settings to find the display name field.
  • Bethesda usernames can be 3 to 16 characters long and cannot contain spaces, though underscores and numbers are allowed.
  • The new username shows up when ready on your profile but may take a few minutes to update in-game and across other Bethesda services.
  • If your desired username is taken, you will see that message when you try to save — you cannot reserve a name or join a waitlist.

Step-by-step: updating your display name

Start by opening a web browser and going to Bethesda.net. Click the account icon in the top right corner — it looks like a person's head inside a circle. From the dropdown menu, select Account Settings.

On the Account Settings page, look for the Profile section on the left side. Click it. You will see a field labeled Display Name with your current username already filled in. Click inside that field, delete the old name, and type your new username. When you are done typing, click the Save button below the field.

Bethesda will confirm the change with a message saying your display name has been updated. If the name you entered is already in use by another account, you will see an error message instead. Try a different username and click Save again.

Rules for what your new username can be

Bethesda usernames must be between 3 and 16 characters long. You can use letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like @, #, or &. Usernames are not case-sensitive, meaning "JohnDoe" and "johndoe" are treated as the same name.

Bethesda does not reserve usernames or hold them while you decide. If you see that your first choice is taken, you need to pick a different one when ready. There is no waitlist or notification system if a name becomes available later.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, no one else can use your old one right away. Bethesda holds inactive usernames for a period of time before they become available to other players. The exact length of this hold varies, but it is typically several months. This means your friends will not see your old name assigned to a stranger's account within days of your change.

Any links to your old profile or any bookmarks using your old username will no longer work. If you have shared your profile link with others, you should let them know your username has changed so they can update their bookmarks.

Updating your character names separately

Changing your Bethesda account username does not change the names of your characters in The Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, or other Bethesda games. Those character names are separate and stay the same unless you rename them through each game's own settings.

In The Elder Scrolls Online, you can rename a character by going to the Crown Store in-game and purchasing a Character Name Change token, or by using a free rename if you have one available. In Fallout 76, character renaming is not available through normal gameplay — you would need to contact Bethesda Support if you want to change a character's name for a specific reason like a display bug.

Troubleshooting: username changes that do not work

If you clicked Save and nothing happened, check that your username follows the rules: it should be 3 to 16 characters, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and not include spaces. If your username meets those requirements but still will not save, try logging out of Bethesda.net completely, closing your browser, and logging back in. Sometimes a browser cache issue prevents the page from updating properly.

If you see a message that the username is already taken, that name belongs to another account and you cannot use it. Pick a different username. If you believe the name is inactive or abandoned, you can contact Bethesda Support, but they do not transfer or release usernames based on inactivity alone.

If your new username appears on your profile but does not show up in-game after 15 minutes, try logging out of the game completely and logging back in. The game client sometimes caches your old username and needs to refresh to show the new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once?

Yes, you can change your Bethesda username as many times as you want. There is no limit on how often you can update it, and there is no fee. Each time you change it, the old name is held for a period before becoming available to others.

Will my friends still see me on their friend list after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends will see your new username on their friend list automatically. They do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end. The change shows up for them within a few minutes.

What if I want to change my email address instead of my username?

Go to Account Settings, select the Account tab on the left, and look for the email field. Click Change Email, enter your new email address, and Bethesda will send a verification link to both your old and new email addresses. You must click the link in both emails to complete the change.

Can I use special characters like hyphens or periods in my username?

No. Bethesda usernames can only contain letters, numbers, and underscores. Hyphens, periods, spaces, and other special characters are not allowed. If you try to use them, the Save button will not work.

How long does it take for my new username to show up in The Elder Scrolls Online?

Your new username should appear in ESO within a few minutes of saving it on Bethesda.net. If it still shows your old name after 15 minutes, log out of the game completely and log back in to force a refresh.