You cannot change your Steam username after you create it

Steam usernames are permanent. Once you set your username during account creation, Valve does not offer a way to change it through settings, support tickets, or any other method. If you want a different username, you must create a new Steam account with the name you prefer.

This is different from your display name, which is the name other players see in games and on your profile. You can change your display name as many times as you want. But your actual Steam username — the one you type to log in — stays the same for the life of that account.

Many people confuse these two because Steam's interface calls the display name "profile name" in some places. The username is what appears in your account settings under "Account name" and is what you enter on the Steam login page.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Steam username cannot be changed once created, so you must create a new account if you want a different login name.
  • Your display name (the name other players see) can be changed anytime through your profile settings, but this does not change your login username.
  • When you create a new Steam account, you can transfer some games to it, but not all — games tied to your old account stay there.
  • If you have spent money or earned achievements on your current account, those do not move to a new account.

The difference between username and display name

Your Steam username is what you type into the login box on the Steam client or website. It is tied to your account permanently and appears in your account settings under "Account name." This is the name Valve uses to identify your account internally.

Your display name (sometimes called your profile name) is what other players see when they look at your profile or play games with you. You can change this name as often as you want by going to your profile, clicking "Edit Profile," and typing a new name in the "Profile Name" field. Changes take effect when ready.

If you dislike how your username looks but do not want to create a new account, changing your display name solves the visibility problem for other players. They will see your new display name in-game and on your profile page. Only you and Steam's servers know your actual username.

Creating a new Steam account with a different username

If you decide you need a different username, you will need to create a fresh Steam account. Go to the Steam homepage, click "Join Steam" in the top right, and fill out the signup form. Choose your new username carefully — you will not be able to change it later.

During signup, Steam checks whether your chosen username is already taken. If it is, you will see a message saying the name is unavailable and must pick something else. Usernames can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters.

Once your new account is created and verified (you will receive a confirmation email), you can log in and begin using it. You will start with no games, no achievements, and no playtime history — your new account is completely separate from your old one.

What happens to your games and purchases

Games you own on your old account do not automatically move to your new account. Each game license is tied to the account that purchased it. If you bought a game on your original account, you can only play it by logging into that account.

Some games allow you to share your library with another account on the same computer through Steam's Family Library feature. This lets someone else on your computer play your games without owning them, but it does not transfer ownership. The game stays licensed to your original account.

If you want to own the same games on both accounts, you would need to purchase them again on your new account. There is no bulk transfer option, and Valve does not refund or move licenses between accounts. This is one reason many people keep their original account even if they dislike the username.

Why Steam usernames cannot be changed

Valve built Steam's system so that usernames are permanent identifiers. Your username is linked to your account in their database, your game licenses, your friends list, your trading history, and your community reputation. Changing it would require updating all of those connections, which creates technical and security risks.

Permanent usernames also prevent impersonation and fraud. If usernames could be changed, someone could take over an account and when ready change the name to cover their tracks, making it harder for the real owner to prove what happened. A fixed username makes account history clearer.

This design choice frustrates some players, but it is unlikely to change. Valve has maintained this policy for over two decades, and there is no indication they plan to add username-change functionality.

Alternatives if you regret your username choice

If you chose a username you now dislike but do not want to start over, your best option is to change your display name and use that consistently. Tell your friends to look for your display name rather than your username. In most games and social contexts, people see and remember your display name, not your login username.

You can also make your profile private so fewer people see your username. Go to your profile, click "Edit Profile," scroll to "Privacy Settings," and set your profile visibility to "Private." This hides your username from public view, though friends and people in your games can still see it.

If your username contains something offensive or you believe it violates Steam's policies, you can contact Steam Support through the Help section of your account. Valve occasionally makes exceptions for severe cases, though they rarely change usernames and will not do so straightforward because you changed your mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username if I contact Steam Support?

No. Steam Support will not change usernames under any circumstances except in rare cases involving account security or policy violations. Contacting them to request a username change will not result in a change. Creating a new account is your only option.

If I create a new account, can I delete my old one?

You can abandon your old account, but Steam does not delete accounts. Your old account will remain in the system with all its games and history. You can stop using it, but you cannot remove it entirely. If you want to keep your old games accessible, you should keep the account active.

Will my friends be able to find me on a new account?

Only if you tell them your new username or send them a friend request from the new account. Your old friends list does not transfer. You will need to re-add everyone as friends on your new account, or they can search for your new username if you share it with them.

Can I use the same email address for both accounts?

No. Each Steam account must have a unique email address. If you want to create a new account, you will need a different email than the one tied to your original account. You can use a secondary email address, a new email account, or an email from a different provider.

What if I forgot my username and want to create a new one?

If you cannot log in to your account, go to the Steam login page and click "Forgot your username?" You can recover it using your email address or phone number. Once you have your username back, you can log in normally. You do not need to create a new account unless you want a completely different name.