We’ve all been there. You made your League of Legends account when you were 13, thought “xXShadowSlayerXx” was the coolest name ever, and now you cringe every time your friends see it pop up in lobby chat. If you’re ready to ditch that outdated, embarrassing, or just plain boring handle, this guide covers exactly how to change username on league of legends, plus all the hidden rules you don’t want to miss before you hit confirm.
How to Change Username on League of Legends: Exact Step-by-Step Process
The process to update your handle is identical whether you use the Riot client or the official Riot Games website. First, log into your Riot account using the email linked to your LoL profile. Navigate to the “Riot ID” tab in your account settings, which you’ll find on the left-hand menu of the account page. You’ll see two fields: one for your display name, and one for your unique tagline (the 3-5 character code after the # that lets other players add you even if multiple people have the same display name). You can change your Riot ID for free once every 90 days, no RP required. If you want to adjust your name before the 90-day cooldown ends, you’ll pay 1300 RP to unlock an early change. Type your desired new username into the display name field, pick a tagline if you want to change that too, and click “save changes”. Always double-check the spelling of your new username before confirming, as you won’t be able to adjust it for 3 months unless you pay extra. Once you’ve completed these steps, your new username will show up immediately in all League of Legends lobbies, match history, and friend lists, so you don’t have to wait for any processing time after you complete the process.
Key Rules and Restrictions for LoL Username Changes
Riot has strict guidelines for acceptable usernames to keep the game community safe and respectful for all players, and breaking these rules can lead to your name being reverted or your account being restricted. First, you can’t take a username that’s already in use by another active Riot account. Riot does release inactive usernames every few months, so if the name you want is taken by an account that hasn’t logged in for multiple years, you may be able to claim it in the next release cycle. Names that violate Riot’s terms of service will be reverted automatically, and you may face a temporary account restriction if you repeatedly pick inappropriate handles. You also can’t use more than 16 characters for your display name, and special characters are limited to standard letters, numbers, and a small set of approved symbols like periods and underscores. Some of the most common reasons for username rejection include:
- Hate speech, slurs, or content that targets marginalized groups based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, or disability
- Impersonation of Riot employees, pro players, or public figures
- Trademarked terms, brand names, or copyrighted content you don’t own rights to
- Excessively long strings of numbers, special characters, or nonsensical text designed to spam or confuse other players
- References to illegal activities, self-harm, or violence
If your name is rejected, you’ll get a prompt to pick a new one before your change is processed, so you won’t lose your free change or RP if your first option isn’t allowed.
How to Pick a Good LoL Username That Stands Out
Picking the right username can feel overwhelming, especially if all your first choices are already taken. The best usernames are memorable, fit your personality, and are easy for other players to type if they want to add you as a friend. You can reference your main champion, your favorite playstyle, or an inside joke with your friend group to make it feel personal. If you plan to join competitive teams or post your clips online, pick a username that’s easy to pronounce and search for, so fans and teammates can find you easily. Try to avoid overusing special characters like Xs, underscores, or random numbers, unless they fit the vibe of your name. I made the mistake of picking a name with 3 special characters and a random 4-digit number a few years back, and I had at least 10 friends tell me they couldn’t find my account for weeks after we started playing together. If you’re stuck for ideas, try testing out combinations of your favorite champion and a word that describes how you play, like “SneakyTeemoMain” or “JungleShyvana”. You can also use a random name generator to get ideas if you’re totally blank, just make sure you tweak it to feel personal instead of generic.
Common LoL Username Change Mistakes to Avoid
Even though the name change process is simple, there are a few common mistakes that can cost you RP, lead to account issues, or leave you stuck with a name you hate for 3 months. First, don’t forget to let your friends list know you’re changing your name before you do it. A lot of players auto-delete friend requests from usernames they don’t recognize, so you might lose contact with people you play with regularly if you don’t give them a heads up. Don’t change your name right before you join a registered tournament or team event, either. Most tournament organizers require you to use the same username you registered with, so a last-minute change could lead to you being disqualified. Never share your account login details with any third-party site offering rare or reserved usernames, as these are almost always phishing scams designed to steal your account and in-game items. The only safe way to change your username is through the official Riot client or website, no exceptions. Also, don’t assume changing your username will hide your match history or ranked stats from other players. All your old match data will still be linked to your account, so you won’t be able to hide that 0/10 Yasuo game from your friends just by switching your handle.
Changing your League of Legends handle is a quick, low-effort way to refresh your in-game identity, whether you’re ditching a cringey teen name or rebranding for a new ranked season. It takes less than 5 minutes to complete the process if you have a name picked out ahead of time, and the free 90-day change option means you don’t have to spend any RP to get a name you love. Whether you’re a new player still figuring out your account settings or a long-time player ready for a fresh start, knowing how to change username on league of legends correctly will save you time, money, and frustration down the line. Take a minute to double-check your chosen name against Riot’s guidelines before you confirm, and you’ll be showing off your new handle in lobbies in no time.