Change your League of Legends summoner name through the client settings

To change your summoner name in League of Legends, open the game client, click the profile icon in the top right corner, select "Profile," then click the edit icon next to your current summoner name. Type your new name into the field, review Riot's naming rules to make sure it follows their guidelines, and click "Confirm." The change costs 1,300 Blue Essence (the free currency) or 650 Riot Points (the paid currency). Your new name takes effect when ready, though you may need to restart the client to see it reflected everywhere.

The summoner name you choose must be between 3 and 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, and spaces. Riot Games does not allow names that contain profanity, slurs, impersonation of real people or celebrities, or references to hate groups. Names that are too similar to existing summoner names on your server may also be rejected—the system will tell you if your choice is taken.

Key Takeaways

  • Access the name change tool through your profile in the League client by clicking the edit icon next to your summoner name.
  • The first name change costs 1,300 Blue Essence or 650 Riot Points, and subsequent changes cost the same amount.
  • Your new summoner name must be 3 to 16 characters and cannot contain profanity, slurs, impersonation, or hate speech.
  • The name change takes effect when ready in-game, though you may need to restart the client to see it update everywhere.
  • If your chosen name is rejected, the client will tell you why and you can try a different name without losing your currency.

Understanding the naming rules and restrictions

Riot Games enforces a set of rules to keep the League community respectful. Your summoner name cannot include slurs, profanity, or hate speech in any language. Names that impersonate real people, celebrities, or professional players are not allowed. You also cannot use names that reference hate groups, extremist movements, or violent ideologies.

Names that are too similar to existing summoner names on your server will be rejected. This includes names that differ only by a number or a single letter from an already-taken name. The system checks this automatically when you try to confirm your change, so you will know right away if your choice conflicts with an existing name. If it does, straightforward try a different variation.

What happens if your name change is rejected

If the client rejects your chosen name, it will display a message explaining why. Common reasons include the name being taken, containing forbidden words, or being too similar to an existing summoner name. You do not lose your Blue Essence or Riot Points when a name is rejected—you can try again with a different name at no additional cost.

If you are unsure whether a name will be accepted, try it in the client first. The system gives you when ready feedback before you confirm the purchase. If you want to use a name that is very close to an existing one, consider adding numbers, underscores, or spaces to make it distinct enough to pass the similarity check.

Timing and how long the change takes

Once you confirm your name change in the client, it takes effect when ready in your profile and in-game. However, the change may not appear everywhere at once. You may need to restart the League client or log out and back in to see your new name reflected in all menus, match history, and chat. Other players will see your new name the next time they encounter you in a match or check your profile.

There is no waiting period or cooldown between name changes. You can change your summoner name as often as you want, as long as you have the currency to pay for each change. This means you can experiment with different names without being locked into one choice.

Cost and currency options for name changes

A summoner name change costs either 1,300 Blue Essence or 650 Riot Points. Blue Essence is earned free by playing the game—you gain it by disenchanting champion shards and other loot. Riot Points are purchased with real money. Both currencies work equally well for a name change, so use whichever you have available.

The cost is the same whether it is your first name change or your tenth. There are no discounts for changing your name multiple times, and the price does not vary by region or account level. If you do not have enough currency, the client will show you how much you need and give you the option to purchase Riot Points or earn more Blue Essence by playing.

Changing your name on different servers

If you play League on multiple servers (North America, Europe West, Korea, and others), your summoner name is separate on each one. Changing your name on one server does not change it on any other server. You must pay the currency cost for each server where you want a new name.

This means you could have different summoner names on your NA account and your EUW account, for example. The name change tool in the client always applies only to the server you are currently logged into. Make sure you are on the correct server before confirming your purchase.

Common mistakes to avoid when changing your name

The most common mistake is choosing a name that is too similar to an existing one. The system is strict about this—even a single-letter difference from a taken name may be rejected. Before you settle on a name, try it in the client to see if it passes the similarity check.

Another mistake is not restarting the client after a name change. While your new name takes effect when ready on Riot's servers, you may see your old name in some menus until you restart. This is purely a display issue and does not affect your actual account. A third mistake is forgetting which server you are on—if you play on multiple servers and want the same name everywhere, you need to pay for the change on each one separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Your old summoner name is not reserved for you, but if it is not taken by someone else, you can change back to it by paying the currency cost again. If another player has claimed your old name, you cannot use it unless they change theirs first.

What if I want to use a name that is already taken?

You cannot use a name that is already taken by another player on your server. You must choose a different name. Try adding numbers, underscores, or spaces to create a variation that is distinct enough to pass the system's similarity check.

Do I need to change my name on my smurf account too?

No. Each account has its own summoner name, and changing the name on one account does not affect any other account you own. You can pay for a name change on your main account and leave your smurf with its current name, or change both if you want.

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list is tied to your account, not your summoner name. After you change your name, your friends will still see you in their friends list under your new name. They do not need to re-add you or do anything on their end.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my summoner name?

No. League summoner names can only contain letters, numbers, and spaces. Special characters, accents, and emojis are not allowed. Stick to standard English letters and numerals when choosing your new name.