Change your Clash of Clans name through the in-game settings menu
To change your name in Clash of Clans, open the game and tap the settings icon (usually a gear symbol) in the bottom right corner of the main village screen. From there, select your profile or account name at the top of the settings menu. You'll see an option to edit your name — tap it, delete your current name, type your new one, and confirm the change. The new name appears when ready in your village and to other players.
The process takes less than a minute and costs nothing the first time you change your name. Supercell, the company that makes Clash of Clans, allows one free name change. After that, each additional name change costs 500 gems, which is the game's premium currency.
Key Takeaways
- Your first name change is free; subsequent changes cost 500 gems each.
- The settings menu is accessed from the gear icon on your main village screen.
- Name changes take effect when ready and are visible to all other players.
- You cannot use special characters, and names longer than 16 characters may be truncated in some displays.
- If your name violates the game's code of conduct, Supercell can reset it without warning.
Where to find the name change option
The settings icon appears in the bottom right corner of your village screen, next to your town hall. It looks like a small gear or cog. Tap it to open the settings menu, which displays several options including your player profile, account settings, and game preferences.
At the top of the settings menu, you'll see your current name displayed. Tap directly on your name or look for an "Edit Profile" or "Change Name" button — the exact label varies slightly depending on your device and game version. Once you tap it, a text box appears with your current name highlighted and ready to be replaced.
What names are not allowed
Clash of Clans has a code of conduct that covers player names. You cannot use names that include profanity, hate speech, sexual content, or references to real people's private information. Names that impersonate Supercell staff or other well-known players are also blocked. The game's filter catches many of these automatically — if you try to confirm a name that violates the rules, the game will reject it and ask you to choose a different one.
Names with special characters (like @, #, or $) are not permitted. You can use letters, numbers, and spaces. If you've already changed your name once for free and want to change it again, you'll need 500 gems. If Supercell detects that your name violates the code of conduct after you've set it, the game can reset your name without warning, and you'll be prompted to choose a new one the next time you log in.
How gems factor into name changes
Gems are Clash of Clans' premium currency, earned slowly through gameplay or purchased with real money. Your first name change costs zero gems. Every name change after that costs 500 gems. If you don't have 500 gems saved up, you can purchase them through the in-game shop, though this requires spending money.
Because gems are valuable and used for many other upgrades and speed-ups in the game, most players save their free name change for when they're certain about the name they want. Once you confirm a name change, it takes effect when ready — there is no undo button, so make sure you're happy with the spelling and capitalization before you confirm.
Timing and what happens after you change your name
The name change is when ready. As soon as you tap confirm, your new name appears on your village, in your profile, and in the clan chat if you're a member of a clan. Other players see the new name right away — there is no delay or waiting period. Your clan mates will see the change in their member list the next time they refresh or log back in.
Your player tag (a unique ID number assigned to your account) does not change when you change your name. This means your account history, trophies, buildings, and clan records all stay the same. Other players can still find you by your player tag even if you change your name multiple times.
Common mistakes to avoid when changing your name
The most common mistake is changing your name impulsively and then regretting it. Since you only get one free change, take time to decide on a name you'll be happy with long-term. Avoid names that reference current trends or inside jokes that might feel outdated in a few months.
Another mistake is trying to use special characters or spaces at the beginning or end of your name. The game may accept them, but they can cause display problems in chat or on leaderboards. Keep your name straightforward and readable. If you're in a competitive clan, avoid names that are too similar to other members' names — it can confuse teammates during attacks or in chat.
Do not attempt to impersonate other players or Supercell staff members. Even if the game's filter doesn't catch it when ready, Supercell monitors player names and can reset yours without warning if it violates the code of conduct. This can be frustrating if you've already used your free change.
If you've forgotten your current name or can't access settings
If you can't remember your current name, open the game and look at your village screen — your name appears at the top left, just above your town hall level. If you're having trouble accessing the settings menu, make sure you're tapping the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the main village screen, not in the shop or army menu.
If the settings menu won't open or the name change option is greyed out, try closing the game completely and reopening it. Sometimes a temporary glitch prevents the menu from loading. If the problem persists, check that your game is updated to the latest version in your device's app store. Supercell occasionally releases updates that change the location of settings or add new features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes, but only if you pay gems. Your first name change is free, but changing back to a previous name counts as a new change and costs 500 gems. There is no special "revert" option — it's treated like any other name change.
What happens to my name if I get banned or suspended?
If your account is suspended for violating the code of conduct, your name remains the same. If your account is permanently banned, you lose access to the account entirely. Supercell does not delete or change banned players' names — they straightforward become inactive accounts that other players can no longer interact with.
Can I use the same name as another player?
Yes. Clash of Clans allows multiple players to have the same name because each account has a unique player tag. However, this can be confusing in clan chat or on leaderboards. Most players choose unique names to stand out and avoid confusion with teammates.
Do I need to be in a clan to change my name?
No. You can change your name whether you're in a clan or not. If you are in a clan, the change is visible to all clan members when ready, but it doesn't affect your membership or your role in the clan.
What if the name I want is already taken?
Clash of Clans allows duplicate names, so technically no name is "taken." You can use any name that passes the code of conduct filter, even if another player already has it. The game distinguishes between players using their unique player tag, not their name.