If you’ve ever logged into League of Legends and cringed at the edgy username you picked when you were 13, you’re definitely not alone. Thousands of players ask can i change my league of legends name every month, and the short answer is yes, but there are a few rules and costs you need to know before you jump in. We’ve broken down every part of the process, from eligibility requirements to fixing common name error messages, so you can swap your old alias for something you’re proud to show off in ranked lobbies. Even if you’ve had your name for years, it’s never too late to pick something that matches your current playstyle or personality.
Can I Change My League of Legends Name: Pre-Change Rules You Need to Follow
Before you start brainstorming your new alias, there are a few core rules set by Riot Games that apply to all name change requests. First, you will have to pay for the change unless Riot forces you to rename your account due to a terms of service violation, or if your region went through a recent server merge that created duplicate names. The standard cost is 1300 RP (roughly $10 USD if you buy standard RP bundles) or 13900 Blue Essence, which you can earn for free by playing matches and completing in-game missions.
Name eligibility rules are non-negotiable, so you’ll want to review them before you waste currency on a request that gets rejected. Your name can’t contain hate speech, slurs, references to real-world violence, or impersonation of Riot staff, public figures, or professional players. It also has to be between 3 and 16 characters long, with no special characters that aren’t supported for your region. You can’t change your name more than once every 30 days, even if you immediately regret your new pick, so make sure you’re confident in your choice before you submit it.
One thing many players miss is that your summoner name (now being phased out in favor of Riot ID) applies to all Riot games linked to your account. If you also play Valorant, Teamfight Tactics, or Legends of Runeterra, your new name will show up across all of these games, so pick something that fits your identity across all titles you play.
Step-by-Step Process to Change Your League of Legends Name
The name change process is straightforward, and you can complete it either through the League of Legends client or the official Riot Games account dashboard. Both methods take less than 5 minutes if you already have your desired name picked out and the required currency in your account. Follow these steps to avoid mistakes:
You don’t need to create a new account to change your name, which is a common mistake new players make when they’re unhappy with their original alias. Creating a new account will make you lose all your existing progress, so the paid name change is always the better option if you’ve already invested time into your main account. You can also change your Riot ID tagline (the 3-5 character code after your name) for free every 30 days, separate from your paid name change, if you just want to tweak your identifier without swapping your full name.
Common Problems You Might Face When Changing Your LoL Name
Most name change requests go through without a hitch, but there are a few common errors players run into. The most frequent issue is the “name unavailable” error, even when you search for the name in the client and can’t find an account using it. This usually happens if the name is reserved for Riot staff, was used by an account that was permanently banned, or is held by an inactive account that hasn’t been released yet. Riot releases batches of inactive names (from accounts that haven’t logged in for over a year) every few months, so if your desired name is locked, you can wait for the next name drop to try again.
Another common issue is having your name rejected after you pay for the change. This happens if your name violates the terms of service, even if it passed the initial availability check. Riot’s automated filter sometimes misses inappropriate references, so human moderators can reject requests after you submit them. If your name is rejected for violating terms of service, you won’t get a refund for your purchase, so double check that your name doesn’t have any hidden offensive or rule-breaking meanings before you pay.
A lot of players who are waiting out the 30-day name change cooldown, or saving up Blue Essence by grinding daily missions, like to pass the time with casual, low-stakes games between their League matches. Many of them turn to 777 Game for quick, fun sessions that don’t require the same level of focus as a high-stakes ranked League game, so they don’t waste mental energy they’d rather use climbing the ranks or earning more Blue Essence.
If you run into an error that isn’t covered here, you can contact Riot support for help, but keep in mind they won’t bypass the 30-day cooldown or refund your purchase unless there was a technical error on their end. They also won’t help you get a name that’s already taken by another active account, even if you’ve had your eye on it for months.
Is a Paid League of Legends Name Change Worth It?
Whether a name change is worth the cost depends entirely on your situation as a player. If you’re a casual player who only logs in once a week, and you still have dozens of champions you haven’t unlocked yet, you might be better off saving your Blue Essence for champions instead of a name change. The 13900 Blue Essence cost is roughly equal to the amount you earn from 4-6 weeks of regular play, so it’s a significant investment for casual players who don’t grind missions regularly.
On the other hand, if you’re a regular player who streams or posts League content online, or if your old name has offensive, outdated, or embarrassing references that make you uncomfortable, it’s 100% worth the cost. A lot of players who join competitive teams also change their names to match their team’s branding, which makes it easier for fans and teammates to recognize them in lobbies. Free name changes are extremely rare, so don’t wait around for Riot to give you one if you’re unhappy with your current name.
You can test out your desired name first by making a free new account on a different region to see if it fits, before you spend your RP or BE on the change for your main account. You can also try adding small variations like a suffix or a different spelling if your first choice is taken, to get something close to your original idea without waiting for the next inactive name drop. If you’re willing to wait, keep an eye on official Riot announcements for their annual name release event, where they free up hundreds of thousands of inactive names for players to claim.
At the end of the day, if you’re unhappy with your current in-game alias, the answer to can i change my league of legends name is a resounding yes, as long as you follow the official rules and have the required RP or Blue Essence on hand. Take a minute to double check your desired name is available and meets Riot’s guidelines before you make your purchase, so you don’t run into frustrating delays or lost currency. Once you finalize the change, you’ll be ready to jump into your next match with a name that feels like the real you, no cringing required when you load into the lobby.