Change your Epic Games account name through the settings menu

Your Fortnite username is tied to your Epic Games account, not to the game itself. To change it, you log into your Epic Games account on a web browser, go to Account Settings, find the Display Name field, and type in your new username. Epic Games allows you to change your display name once every 30 days, so you cannot change it again immediately after making a change.

The new name takes effect right away in Fortnite and across other Epic Games titles you play. Your friends will see the updated name the next time they log in, and it will appear on your profile, in-game chat, and on leaderboards.

If you have never set a display name before, Epic Games assigns you a default one based on your account email. The first time you change it, you are not using up your one change per month — that 30-day timer starts after your first custom name is set.

Key Takeaways

  • Change your display name by logging into your Epic Games account on a web browser, not inside Fortnite itself.
  • You can change your username once every 30 days, so plan ahead if you want to switch names frequently.
  • The new name shows up immediately in Fortnite, in your profile, and in chat with other players.
  • Your account ID and friends list stay the same when you change your name — only the visible username changes.
  • Names must follow Epic Games' content policy and cannot contain offensive language, impersonation, or spam-like patterns.

Step-by-step instructions for changing your display name

Go to www.epicgames.com and sign in with your account email and password. If you use two-factor authentication, you will need to enter the code from your authenticator app or email. Once you are logged in, click your account icon in the top right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, click General on the left sidebar. You will see a field labeled Display Name with your current username. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new username into the text box, then click Save. Epic Games will confirm the change and show you when you can change it again.

If the name you want is already taken, you will see an error message. Try a variation — adding numbers, underscores, or abbreviations often makes a name available. Names can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens, but not spaces.

What happens if you forget your Epic Games password

If you cannot log into your Epic Games account to change your display name, go to www.epicgames.com/account/password and click Forgot Password. Enter the email address tied to your account. Epic Games will send you a password reset link — check your inbox and spam folder.

Click the link in the email, create a new password, and log back in. Once you are in your account, follow the steps above to change your display name. If you do not receive the reset email within a few minutes, try requesting it again or contact Epic Games support through their help portal.

Restrictions on usernames and what names get rejected

Epic Games rejects usernames that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or official accounts are also not allowed. Usernames that look like spam — such as strings of random characters or repeated numbers — may be flagged, though Epic Games does not always block these automatically.

If you set a name that violates the policy and Epic Games catches it, they will force you to change it the next time you log in. You will be given a temporary name and told to pick a new one before you can play. This does not count against your 30-day change limit.

Changing your name on console or mobile

You cannot change your display name directly from the Fortnite app on your phone, tablet, or console. You must use a web browser on a computer to access your Epic Games account settings. Log in on any device with a browser, make the change, and it will sync to your console or mobile game the next time you launch Fortnite.

If you are playing on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, your Fortnite account is linked to your Epic Games account. Changing your Epic Games display name updates your Fortnite name across all platforms you play on — you do not need to change it separately for each console.

Why your old name might still show up in some places

After you change your display name, it may take a few minutes to update everywhere in the game. Your friends' friend lists, recent match history, and chat logs might still show your old name for a short time. This is normal and clears up once the servers sync the change, usually within 5 to 10 minutes.

If your old name is still showing after an hour, try logging out of Fortnite completely and logging back in. Close the game entirely, wait 30 seconds, and relaunch it. This forces your client to pull the latest account information from Epic Games' servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Fortnite name more than once a month?

No. Epic Games limits display name changes to once every 30 days. If you change your name today, you cannot change it again for 30 days from that date. Plan your username carefully, because you are stuck with it for a month.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your account ID stays the same, so your friends list does not break. They will see your new name in their friends list and in-game, but they can still message you and party with you without re-adding you.

What if someone else took the username I want?

Usernames are not reserved — if someone else is using the name you want, you cannot have it. Try variations like adding numbers at the end, using underscores instead of spaces, or abbreviating. You can also check if the name is available before you use your one monthly change.

Do I need to change my password when I change my display name?

No. Your password and your display name are separate. Changing your username does not affect your account security or password. You only need to change your password if you think someone has accessed your account without permission.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you have to wait 30 days. If you change your name and regret it, you can change it back to your old name after the 30-day timer runs out. You cannot undo the change immediately.