Look, your 2018 self probably thought "xX_NoobSlayer_Xx" was the peak of comedy. It wasn't. Now you're stuck with a cringey handle while trying to climb the ranks in Chapter 6 or whatever wild season Epic Games has cooked up lately. If you've spent any time in the lobby lately, you know that your display name is basically your digital face. It’s what people see when you hit that nasty sniper shot or, more likely, what they see when they dance on your loot pile.
Changing your Fortnite name isn't actually done inside the game client itself. That’s the first thing that trips people up. You can poke around the settings menu on your PC or console for an hour and you won’t find a "Rename" button.
The Epic Games Method (PC and Mobile)
For most players, especially those on PC or using the Epic Games Launcher, the process is handled through your Epic Games account settings. This is the "true" version of your name that shows up for your friends list across all Epic titles.
First, head over to the official Epic Games website. You’ll need to log in, obviously. Once you’re in, hover over your name in the top right and click on "Account." Under the Account Settings tab, you’ll see a field for Display Name.
Here is the catch: Epic is pretty strict about how often you can do this. You get one change every two weeks.
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Basically, if you make a typo and change your name to "TheGoattt" instead of "TheGoat," you are living with those three T's for 14 days. No exceptions. Epic’s support team is notoriously firm on this; they won't reset the timer just because you had a "fat finger" moment.
Make sure the new name isn't offensive. Epic uses an automated filter that blocks common slurs and banned phrases, but they also perform manual sweeps. If you try to get too clever with special characters to bypass filters, you might find your name reverted to "Player[Numbers]" or worse, get a temporary ban.
Consoles Are a Different Beast Entirely
If you play on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, things get significantly more annoying. Why? Because on consoles, Fortnite usually pulls your name from your console’s network ID (your PSN ID or your Xbox Gamertag).
If you change your Epic Games display name on the website, it might show up correctly in your Epic friends list, but in the actual match—above your character's head—people will still see your console ID.
PlayStation (PS4/PS5)
Sony finally allowed name changes a few years ago, but it’s not always free. Your first change is on the house. After that? You’re paying roughly $10 (or $5 if you have PlayStation Plus).
- Go to Settings on your console.
- Navigate to Users and Accounts.
- Select Account > Profile > Online ID.
- Type in the new name and pray it’s not taken.
One weird side effect: some older games (pre-2018) don't play nice with PSN name changes. You might lose progress in ancient titles, though Fortnite is perfectly safe since it’s a modern "service" game.
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Xbox (Series X|S and One)
Microsoft is similar. You get one freebie. If you’ve already used it to change "PwnZor99" to something else, be prepared to open your wallet.
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Select Profile & system, select your gamertag, then select My profile.
- Go to Customize profile and select your current gamertag.
- Enter the new one.
Xbox uses a "suffix" system now. If you want a name that is already taken, say "Jonesy," Microsoft will let you have it, but they’ll append some small numbers at the end (like Jonesy#4452). In Fortnite, those numbers usually show up, so it's not as "clean" as having a unique name.
The "Ghost" Name Glitch and Verification
Sometimes you change your name and... nothing happens. You load into a Creative map and you're still "NoobSlayer." Don't panic.
This is usually a caching issue. The easiest fix is to log out of the Epic Games Launcher completely—don't just close it, actually sign out—and then sign back in. On consoles, a full restart (not rest mode) usually forces the game to handshake with the servers and update your identity.
Another thing to keep in mind is Account Verification. If your Epic account isn't email-verified, they might lock the display name field. It’s a security measure to stop bots from squatting on rare names. If the box is greyed out, check your inbox for that dusty verification link you ignored three years ago.
Why You Might Be Blocked From Changing
If you're staring at the screen and it won't let you save, it’s usually one of three things.
First, the 14-day rule.
Second, the name is already taken.
Third, you’re trying to use "Epic" or other protected words in your name. You can't name yourself "Epic_Developer" or "FortniteSupport." The system will kick that back immediately.
Also, avoid using too many Greek or Cyrillic characters. While it looks cool to have a name like "ΔRGΘN," some platforms won't render those characters correctly. Your friends might just see a series of boxes or question marks, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a cool name.
Actionable Next Steps for a Smooth Transition
Before you hit "Save," do these three things to ensure you don't regret it:
- Check Availability Socially: If you're trying to build a brand or a YouTube channel, check if that name is available on X (Twitter) or TikTok too. Consistency is key if you ever plan on streaming.
- Double Check Spelling: Type it into a Word document or a notepad first. Look at it. Walk away. Come back. Does "DarkKniht" look right? No, you forgot the 'g'. Fix it now before you're stuck with it for two weeks.
- Verify Your Email: Log into the Epic portal and ensure your email has a green checkmark next to it. This prevents the "Locked Field" headache.
Once you’ve confirmed the change, log out of all devices—phone, PC, and console—to force a fresh sync. Your new identity will be live the moment you jump out of the Battle Bus.