You can change your Activision display name through the Battle.net account settings, and the process takes about five minutes

Your Activision display name is what other players see when you play games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch, or Diablo. It is separate from your Battle.net account email and password. You change it by logging into your Battle.net account, going to Account Settings, and selecting the option to edit your Battle Tag — that is the name followed by a number (like PlayerName#1234).

The name you choose is visible to everyone in your games and on your profile. Before you change it, think about what information you are sharing. A display name that includes your real name, location, or birth year makes it easier for someone to build a picture of who you are. A generic name or nickname keeps more of your identity private while you play.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Battle Tag is your display name in Activision games and is separate from your account email — you can change one without changing the other.
  • Display name changes are free, but you can only change your Battle Tag once every 30 days.
  • Your old name becomes available for other players to use after you change it, so choose something you are comfortable with long-term.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your account security, but avoid names that reveal personal information like your real name or location.

How to change your Battle Tag step by step

Log into your Battle.net account at account.battle.net using your email and password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (which you should), you will need to enter a code from your phone or authenticator app.

Once you are logged in, look for "Account Settings" in the left menu. Click on it, then find the section labeled "Battle Tag" — it will show your current name and the number assigned to it. Click the pencil icon or "Edit" button next to your Battle Tag.

Type in your new name. Battle.net has rules about what names are allowed: no spaces, no special characters except hyphens and underscores, and the name must be between 3 and 12 characters. The system will tell you when ready if your choice breaks these rules or if someone else already has that exact name.

Click "Change Battle Tag" to confirm. The change takes effect right away. Your old name becomes available for other players to use within a few minutes.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

After you change your Battle Tag, you cannot change it again for 30 days. This rule exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to avoid being reported or to confuse other players. If you make a mistake or change your mind, you are stuck with that name for a month.

Because of this waiting period, take a moment before you confirm the change. Check that the spelling is what you want, that it does not contain anything you will regret, and that it is something you can live with for at least a month. You cannot undo the change once you click the button.

What happens to your old name and your game progress

When you change your Battle Tag, your game progress, achievements, and cosmetics stay with your account. Nothing is lost. Your rank in competitive games, your character levels, your skins and rewards — all of it remains attached to your Battle.net account, not to the name you display.

Your old name becomes available for another player to claim after a few minutes. If you had a name that was rare or valuable to you, understand that someone else may take it. There is no way to reserve a name or prevent others from using it once you let it go.

Friends who had you added under your old name will still see you in their friends list, but your name will update to the new one. They do not have to do anything on their end.

Privacy and safety when choosing a new name

Your display name is visible to every player you encounter in games and on your public profile. Avoid names that include your real first or last name, your birth year, your location, or any other personal information. The more specific details you share in your display name, the easier it is for someone to find information about you outside of the game.

If you use the same display name across multiple games and websites, someone could search for that name and piece together a profile of your online activity. Using a unique name just for Activision games, or a generic nickname, keeps your gaming separate from the rest of your online presence.

Do not use a name that is offensive, hateful, or impersonates another player or public figure. Activision can force you to change your name if it violates their code of conduct, and repeated violations can result in account restrictions or bans.

If you cannot change your name or the change fails

If you see an error message when you try to change your Battle Tag, the most common reason is that the name you chose is already taken or does not meet Battle.net's naming rules. Try a different name, or add a number or underscore to make it unique.

If you have already changed your name within the last 30 days, the system will not let you change it again until that period is over. You can see when you will be may be able to access to change it again by looking at the Battle Tag section of your account settings.

If your account is restricted or suspended, you will not be able to change your Battle Tag until the restriction is lifted. Contact Activision Support through their website if you believe your account has been wrongly restricted, or if you are locked out of your account entirely.

Changing your name does not change your account security

Your Battle Tag is a display name only. It has nothing to do with the email address and password you use to log into your account. Changing your display name does not make your account more or less find.

What does protect your account is a strong, unique password and two-factor authentication. If someone knows your display name, they still cannot access your account without your email and password. Keep those credentials private, and turn on two-factor authentication in your account settings if you have not already.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Battle Tag back to my old name after 30 days?

Yes. After 30 days have passed, you can change your name to anything that is available, including your old name — as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime. If someone else took your old name, you cannot use it again unless they change theirs first.

Does changing my display name affect my friends list or my game progress?

No. Your friends will still see you in their friends list, and your name will update automatically for them. All your game progress, achievements, cosmetics, and rank stay with your account. Nothing is lost or reset.

What if I want to change my Battle.net account email instead of my display name?

Your email and your display name are separate. To change your email, go to Account Settings and look for "Contact Information" or "Email Address". You will need to confirm the change by clicking a link sent to your current email. Changing your email does not affect your display name.

Can I use spaces or special characters in my Battle Tag?

No. Battle.net only allows letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and special characters like periods, commas, or symbols are not permitted. If you try to use them, the system will reject the name and ask you to try again.

What happens if Activision forces me to change my name?

If your display name violates Activision's code of conduct, you will receive a notice that you must change it. You will have a set amount of time to choose a new name. If you do not change it by the important date, Activision will assign you a temporary name and you will need to change it yourself before you can play again.