We’ve all been there. You made your League of Legends account when you were 14, picked a cringey username that references a meme no one remembers anymore, and now you cringe every time your friends see it pop up in lobbies. If you’ve found yourself asking how can i change my name in league of legends, you’re not alone. Thousands of players go through the name change process every month, either to rebrand, leave an old online identity behind, or just match the username they use across all their other games. This guide walks you through every part of the process, so you don’t waste money or run into avoidable headaches.
What You Need to Know Before You Start Your LoL Name Change
First, it’s important to understand that Riot phased out unique summoner names a few years ago in favor of the Riot ID structure. That means two players can have the same display name as long as their 3-5 character tagline (the code after the #) is different. This opens up way more name options than the old system, so you’re far more likely to get the display name you want now.
You have two options for changing your name: a free annual change, or an immediate paid change that costs 1300 RP (roughly $10 USD). The free change resets 365 days after your last name change, so if you changed your name 6 months ago, you’ll have to either wait another 6 months or pay to switch now. There’s also a name change cooldown of 3 days after any name change, even if you pay for it, so you can’t tweak your name every other day.
Before you pick a new name, make sure it follows Riot’s official eligibility rules:
- It can’t contain hate speech, slurs, harassment, or references to illegal activities, per Riot’s community code of conduct
- It can’t impersonate Riot staff, pro players, or public figures in a misleading way
- It can’t include trademarked terms (like brand names or copyrighted character names used without permission)
- It can be between 3 and 16 characters long, with no spaces or special symbols outside of standard letters, numbers, and a small set of approved accents
If you pick a name that violates these rules, Riot can force a random name change on you at any time, and you won’t get a refund for any RP you spent on the original change. You also qualify for a free name change eligibility if Riot forced a name change on your existing username for violating rules, no need to wait the 12 month cooldown or pay RP.
Step-by-Step: How Can I Change My Name in League of Legends
The process is almost identical whether you use the Riot desktop client or the official Riot account website, so pick whichever is more convenient for you. If you’re using the client, start by logging into the account you want to update. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the client home screen, then select “Settings” from the dropdown menu that pops up.
From the settings menu, click on the “Riot ID” tab on the left-hand navigation bar. You’ll see your current display name and tagline listed, with edit boxes next to each. Type your desired new display name in the first box, and you can also edit your tagline to something personal if you want – lots of players use their main champion, their rank, or a lucky number for their tagline.
Once you’ve entered your desired name and tagline, click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the screen. If you have a free name change available, the change will process immediately. If not, you’ll see a pop-up asking you to confirm the 1300 RP charge. Confirm the charge, and your new name will go live right away.
You don’t have to restart your client for the change to show up, but it may take a minute to update in any active lobbies or friend lists. Double-check your spelling before you hit save, because typos are one of the most common reasons players waste RP or free name changes on names they didn’t actually want. If you make a mistake, you’ll have to wait the 3 day cooldown and pay again or wait for your next free change to fix it.
Common Issues You Might Face During the Name Change Process
Most name changes go off without a hitch, but there are a few common errors players run into. The most frequent one is the “name already taken” error. Remember that you only need a unique tagline to use a display name someone else has, so if you get this error, try changing the tagline instead of picking an entirely new display name. If you have your heart set on a specific tagline too, you can try small variations of the display name, like adding a number at the end or using a different spelling.
Another common issue is a failed payment when you’re using RP for the change. If you get a payment error, first check your RP balance to see if the points were deducted. If the RP is still in your account, restart your client and try again, since client lag is usually the cause of this error. If the RP was deducted but your name didn’t change, reach out to Riot support with a screenshot of your transaction history, and they’ll either restore your RP or apply the name change for you.
Some players also report that their new name doesn’t show up in game right away, even after the client confirms the change. It can take up to 24 hours for the name to update across all Riot servers and game modes, especially if you play other Riot titles like Valorant or Teamfight Tactics. Don't submit multiple name change requests if it doesn’t show up immediately, as this can lead to you being charged multiple times for a single change. If it’s been more than 24 hours and your name still hasn’t updated, contact support for help.
Is Paying For a LoL Name Change Worth It?
Whether the 1300 RP price tag is worth it depends entirely on your situation. If you hate your current name so much that you cringe every time it pops up in lobbies, or you’re a content creator who needs their in-game name to match their public brand, it’s almost always worth the cost. It’s a small one-time fee that makes your entire gaming experience more enjoyable, and 1300 RP is less than the cost of most legendary skins.
That said, if you’re on a tight budget or you don’t mind waiting, holding out for your free annual name change is the smarter move. I’ve seen far too many players blow RP on a name they get sick of two weeks later, so take a day or two to think about your desired name before you commit, if you can. You can also set a reminder on your calendar for when your free name change becomes available, so you don’t forget and end up paying unnecessarily.
If the name you want is currently taken by an inactive account, you can also check back every few months. Riot regularly purges inactive accounts to release their usernames, so the name you want might become available for free if you’re willing to be patient. Avoid third-party sites that claim to sell taken LoL names – these are almost always scams, and you can get your account banned for violating Riot’s terms of service if you use them.
Changing your LoL username doesn't have to be complicated, and it's a small change that can make your time on the rift a lot more fun. Whether you're using your free annual update or paying RP for an immediate switch, following the steps we laid out will help you avoid mistakes and get the name you want fast. Next time you find yourself asking how can i change my name in league of legends, just refer back to this guide to make the process as smooth as possible. Don't forget to double-check your spelling and make sure your new name follows Riot's rules before you hit save, so you don't waste time or money on avoidable issues.