If you’ve ever logged into League of Legends and cringed at the summoner name you picked when you were 14, you’ve probably asked: can i change my name in league of legends? I’ve been there too. Back in 2018, I made the terrible decision to name my account after a viral meme that no one found funny a year later, and I spent weeks figuring out the easiest way to swap to something less embarrassing. Whether you’re rebranding for a stream, getting away from old harassment, or just tired of a name that no longer fits, this guide walks you through every part of the process, no hidden fine print or confusing hoops to jump through.
How to Change Your Summoner Name in LoL: Step-by-Step Process
Changing your name is a straightforward process, but it’s easy to make a mistake if you rush through it. First, you don’t actually make the change through the LoL client itself. You’ll need to log into your official Riot Games account on the Riot website, since client settings don’t have access to name change tools. Once you’re logged in, navigate to the “Account Settings” tab, then find the section labeled “Riot ID” (this replaces the old summoner name field for most regions now). Type your desired name into the display name box, then click the “Check Availability” button to see if it’s up for grabs. If it is, you can either use your free annual Riot ID change, or pay the RP fee if you’ve already used your free swap for the year.
Before you confirm, there are a few key prerequisites you need to check off first:
- Enough RP in your account to cover the 1300 RP fee, if you’re not using a free change
- Your desired name doesn’t include slurs, hate speech, personally identifiable information, or references to illegal activities
- You haven’t received a forced name change penalty from Riot in the last 90 days
- You aren’t trying to impersonate a Riot employee, professional LoL player, or verified public figure
Always double check the spelling of your desired name before hitting confirm, because Riot does not offer refunds for typos or name changes you regret after purchase. The change goes into effect almost immediately, but you may need to restart your LoL client to see the new name show up in lobbies and matches. None of your in-game progress, rank, skins, or friend list will be affected by the name change, so you don’t have to worry about losing anything you’ve earned over years of play.
Can I Change My Name in League of Legends Without Paying RP?
This is one of the most common questions players ask when they start looking into name changes, and the short answer is yes, but only in very specific circumstances. The most accessible free option is your annual Riot ID change, which Riot gives to every player for free once every 365 days. Since your LoL summoner name is now tied directly to your Riot ID in almost all regions, using that free annual change will update your in-game name automatically, no RP required. If you haven’t changed your Riot ID in the last year, you never have to pay for a LoL name change.
The only other way to get a free name change is if Riot forces you to swap your current name because it violates their community guidelines. For example, if your name includes a slur or hate speech, Riot will flag it, give you a temporary default name, and let you pick a new one for free. But that’s not a loophole you want to exploit. If you intentionally pick an offensive name to get a free change, you can end up with a temporary or permanent account ban, which is way worse than spending 1300 RP. I’ve seen a handful of players try this trick, and almost all of them ended up losing access to their accounts entirely. Some players also wonder if they can get a free name change if someone is squatting on a name that matches their brand or online alias. If you’re a verified content creator with a sizable audience, you can reach out to Riot support to request the name, but there’s no guarantee they’ll approve it. It’s worth trying if the name is critical to your brand, but don’t get your hopes up.
Important Rules and Restrictions for LoL Name Changes
Riot has a long list of rules for acceptable summoner names, and ignoring them can lead to you losing the name you just paid for, or even getting your account banned. First, all names have to be between 3 and 16 characters long, and you can only use letters, numbers, and spaces. Special symbols, emojis, and excessive punctuation are not allowed, so you won’t be able to add little stars or hearts to your name even if they look cool. If your new name is flagged as violating Riot’s community code within 30 days of your change, you will be forced to pick a new name without a refund. That means you should avoid any names that could be interpreted as harassing, discriminatory, or misleading, even if they seem harmless to you.
Another key rule to remember is that your old name will go back into the pool of available names after a 90-day grace period. That means if you think you might want to go back to your old name down the line, you should hold off on changing it, or ask a friend to hold the name for you if you can. Riot also has systems in place to prevent name sniping, which is when people grab popular or rare names just to sell them to other players. If Riot detects that you’re hoarding names or selling them for real money, your account will be permanently banned, so don’t waste your time or RP trying to make a quick buck off name changes. For most casual players, these rules won’t affect you at all, but it’s good to know them before you spend your hard-earned RP on a name you might end up losing.
Common Name Change Issues and How to Fix Them
Even if you follow all the steps perfectly, you might run into small issues when you try to change your name. The most common issue is a name showing as available when you search for it, but getting an error message when you try to claim it. This usually happens for one of three reasons: the name is reserved for a pro player or Riot partner, it’s on the hidden restricted list even if it doesn’t look offensive, or someone else claimed the name in the few seconds between you checking availability and confirming your purchase. The easiest fix is to add a small, readable modifier to the name, like a single number at the end or a slight spelling variation, so it still looks close to the name you wanted.
Another common issue is your friends still seeing your old name in their friend list for a few days after your change. That’s just a client cache issue, and it usually fixes itself within 24 hours. If it doesn’t, ask your friends to restart their LoL client, or send them a new friend request from your new name to update their list. If you get a forced name change and you think Riot made a mistake, you can submit a support ticket to appeal the decision. Make sure you include proof that your name doesn’t violate any guidelines, and the support team will review your case and reverse the decision if you’re right. Never ignore a forced name change notice, because failing to pick a new name within the given time frame will lead to a permanent account ban.
At the end of the day, if you’ve been asking can i change my name in league of legends, the answer is a resounding yes, as long as you follow Riot’s rules and are willing to either use your free annual Riot ID change or pay the small RP fee. Take your time picking a name you’ll be happy with for at least a year, double check the spelling before you confirm, and wait for Riot’s occasional name change sales if you want to save some RP. I changed my name three years ago when I started streaming LoL content, and it’s one of the best RP purchases I’ve ever made, but if you only play with a small group of friends who already know you, you might not find it worth the cost at all. There’s no right or wrong choice, just make sure you pick something that feels like you.