You can change your PSN name once every 30 days, and it costs nothing the first time

PlayStation Network (PSN) lets you change the display name on your account through your console or the PlayStation website. The first name change is free. After that, each change costs $9.99 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, or $4.99 on PlayStation 3. You can change your name once per 30 days, and the change takes effect when ready across all your games and your profile.

The name you choose must follow PlayStation's rules: no offensive language, no impersonation of real people or companies, and no names that look like they're trying to bypass the filter. If you pick a name that breaks the rules, PlayStation will force you to change it again, and you'll have to pay the fee a second time.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PSN name change is free; every change after that costs $9.99 on PS4 and PS5, or $4.99 on PS3.
  • You can change your name once every 30 days, and the new name shows up right away in your profile and in games.
  • Some older games may not display your new name correctly or may show an error when you try to play them.
  • You can change your name through your console's settings or by signing into your account on the PlayStation website.
  • If your new name breaks PlayStation's rules, you'll be forced to change it again and charged another fee.

How to change your name on PS4 or PS5

On your console, go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then User Profile. Select Edit Profile and choose Change Name. Type your new name, review it, and select Change. If it's your first change, you won't be charged. If you've changed your name before, you'll see the $9.99 fee before you confirm.

On the PlayStation website, sign into your account at account.playstation.com, go to Profile, then Edit Profile, and select Change PSN ID. Follow the same steps to enter and confirm your new name. The website method works the same way as the console and costs the same.

What happens to your old name and your game progress

Your old PSN name becomes available for someone else to use after you change it. Your game progress, trophies, and friends list all stay with your account — they don't disappear or reset. However, some older games (mostly games released before 2018) may not recognize your new name and could show errors or display your old name instead.

If you play an older game and it shows an error or won't let you sign in, you may need to rebuild your console's database or contact PlayStation Support. Most modern games handle name changes without any problem, but it's worth testing a game you play often before you change your name, so you know what to expect.

Rules for choosing a new PSN name

Your new name can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. You cannot use spaces, and you cannot use characters from other languages. PlayStation filters out offensive words and slurs automatically, so if you try to use one, the system will reject your choice and ask you to pick something else.

You also cannot impersonate a real person, a celebrity, or a company. Names that look like they're trying to get around the filter — for example, using numbers to replace letters in a banned word — will be rejected. If you change your name to something that breaks the rules, PlayStation can force you to change it again without refunding your fee.

What to do if your name change doesn't work

If you see an error message when you try to change your name, the most common reasons are that you've already changed your name in the last 30 days, the name you chose is already taken, or the name breaks PlayStation's rules. Wait 30 days from your last change and try again, or pick a different name.

If the error persists and you're sure your name follows the rules and you haven't changed it recently, contact PlayStation Support through the PlayStation website. They can tell you why the change was blocked and help you fix it. If you were charged a fee for a failed change, they may be able to refund it.

Changing your name on PS3

PS3 uses the same process but through a different menu. Go to Settings, then Users, then Edit User, then Change User Name. The first change is free, and each change after that costs $4.99. The 30-day waiting period applies to PS3 as well.

Keep in mind that PS3 is no longer supported by PlayStation, and some online services have been shut down. If you play PS3 games online, check whether the game's servers are still active before you change your name, because older games may have more trouble recognizing the new name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my PSN name back to my old one?

Yes, but you'll have to pay the fee (unless it's your first change ever). Your old name becomes available for anyone to use after you change it, so if someone else has claimed it, you won't be able to use it again. You can change your name once every 30 days.

Will my friends still see me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list stays the same, and your friends will see your new name in their friends list right away. They don't have to do anything on their end. Games you play together will show your new name as well, unless the game is old and doesn't support name changes.

What if a game won't let me play after I changed my name?

Older games sometimes have trouble with name changes. Try rebuilding your console's database: go to Settings, System Software, System Software Update, then Update. If that doesn't work, contact PlayStation Support or the game's developer. Most modern games work fine with new names.

Do I have to pay $9.99 every time I change my name?

Only after your first change. Your first name change is free no matter what. Every change after that costs $9.99 on PS4 and PS5, or $4.99 on PS3. You can only change your name once every 30 days.