Your Destiny 2 username lives on your platform account, not in the game itself

Destiny 2 does not have a separate username system. When you play, the game displays whatever name is attached to your PlayStation Network account, Xbox Live account, Steam account, or Bungie account — depending on which platform you use. To change how your name appears in Destiny 2, you change the username on that platform account. The steps differ by platform, and some platforms charge a fee while others do not.

Your Bungie.net account (the account you create at bungie.net to link your game progress) shows a separate display name that only appears on the Bungie website and in Bungie forums. Changing that display name does not change your in-game name. Both exist at the same time, and both can be changed independently.

Key Takeaways

  • Your in-game name comes from your platform account (PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, or Bungie), not from Destiny 2 itself.
  • PlayStation and Xbox each charge a one-time fee to change your account username; Steam and Bungie do not.
  • Changes take effect when ready in Destiny 2, but other players may see your old name briefly if they are already in a fireteam with you.
  • Your Bungie.net display name is separate from your in-game name and can be changed free on the Bungie website without affecting your game name.

Changing your name on PlayStation Network

PlayStation charges $9.99 USD (or the equivalent in your region) to change your account username. You can change it once for free if your account was created before a certain date, but most players will pay the fee. Go to your PlayStation account settings on the PlayStation website or through your console, select "Profile," then "Account," then "Security," and look for the option to change your Online ID. You will need to enter a new username that is not already taken on PlayStation Network.

After you change your PlayStation Network username, it updates in Destiny 2 within a few minutes. Other players in your fireteam may still see your old name for a short time if they were already grouped with you before the change.

Changing your name on Xbox Live

Xbox charges $9.99 USD (or regional equivalent) to change your gamertag. Sign in to your Xbox account on xbox.com, go to "Settings," select "Account," then "Personalization," and choose "Gamertag." Enter your new gamertag and confirm the purchase. Xbox allows you one free gamertag change if you have never changed it before; after that, each change costs the fee.

Your new gamertag appears in Destiny 2 almost when ready. Like PlayStation, other players may see your old name briefly if they are already in an activity with you.

Changing your name on Steam

Steam does not charge to change your display name, and you can change it as often as you want. Open Steam, click your profile name in the top right corner, select "Edit Profile," and change the "Profile Name" field to whatever you want. The change takes effect right away in Destiny 2.

Keep in mind that your Steam username (the account name you use to log in) is different from your display name (what other players see). You cannot change your Steam username, only your display name. Destiny 2 uses your display name, so changing that is what matters for the game.

Changing your display name on Bungie.net

If you play Destiny 2 through the Bungie app or on a platform linked to Bungie (such as cross-save), you have a Bungie account. Your Bungie display name appears on the Bungie website, in Bungie forums, and in some Destiny 2 menus, but it does not change your in-game name. To change it, sign in to bungie.net, go to your account settings, select "Profile," and edit your display name. There is no fee, and you can change it as often as you want.

This change only affects how your name appears on Bungie's website and in Bungie-related spaces. Your in-game name in Destiny 2 itself still comes from your platform account (PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam).

What happens to your old name after you change it

Once you change your username on your platform account, the old name becomes available for someone else to use. You cannot reclaim it later. If you think you might want to go back to your old name, consider waiting a few days to make sure you like the new one before making the change permanent.

Your Destiny 2 progress, achievements, and gear are tied to your account, not to your username. Changing your name does not affect any of your in-game items or history. Other players will see your new name going forward, but your old raid clears and triumphs remain on your account.

Troubleshooting: Your name did not change in Destiny 2

If you changed your platform username but Destiny 2 still shows your old name, try restarting the game. Close Destiny 2 completely and launch it again. If the name still has not updated after a restart, sign out of your platform account, sign back in, and restart Destiny 2 a second time.

If you changed your username on PlayStation or Xbox but the change did not go through, check that you completed the purchase or payment step. Both platforms require you to confirm the fee before the change is final. If you see an error message saying the username is already taken, choose a different name — usernames must be unique on each platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Destiny 2 name for free?

It depends on your platform. Steam and Bungie.net allow free name changes. PlayStation and Xbox each charge $9.99 USD (or regional equivalent), though Xbox gives one free change if you have never changed your gamertag before. Your in-game name comes from your platform account, so the cost depends on which platform you play on.

Will changing my name affect my raid clears or season pass progress?

No. Your Destiny 2 progress, achievements, gear, and season pass are all tied to your account, not to your username. Changing your name does not erase or reset anything. Other players will see your new name, but your history stays the same.

How long does it take for my new name to show up in Destiny 2?

Usually a few minutes. Restart the game if it has not updated within five minutes. On PlayStation and Xbox, other players in your fireteam may see your old name briefly if they were already grouped with you before the change, but it will update for them within a few minutes as well.

Is my Bungie.net display name the same as my in-game name?

No, they are separate. Your in-game name comes from your platform account (PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam). Your Bungie.net display name only appears on the Bungie website and in Bungie forums. You can change them independently without affecting each other.

What if someone else takes my old username after I change it?

Old usernames become available for anyone to claim once you change yours. You cannot reserve or reclaim your old name later. If you want to keep the option to go back, wait a few days after changing to make sure you like the new name before considering it permanent.