Change your VRChat display name in the main menu or in-game settings

Your VRChat display name is what other players see when they look at you in the game. You can change it anytime through the settings menu without losing your account or progress. The process takes less than a minute and takes effect when ready.

You have two ways to change your name: through the main menu before you enter a world, or through the settings panel while you are already in a world. Both methods lead to the same name-change screen. Your new name will show up to other players the next time they load into a world with you.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the main menu in VRChat and select Settings, then select your username to open the name-change screen.
  • Type your new name into the text field and confirm the change — there is no character limit, but very long names may display oddly on name tags.
  • Your new name takes effect when ready in the client, but other players will see it only after they load into a world with you.
  • You can change your name as often as you want with no cooldown or penalty.
  • Your old name does not stay reserved — another player can use it once you change away from it.

Open the main menu and navigate to Settings

Start VRChat and load into any world, or stay in the home world. Open the main menu by pressing the Menu button on your controller (on Meta Quest, this is the button with three horizontal lines; on Valve Index, it is the menu button on the left controller; on HTC Vive, it is the menu button on either controller). On desktop, press the Escape key or click the menu icon in the top-left corner of the screen.

Once the menu is open, look for the Settings option. It is usually near the bottom of the menu list. Click or select it with your controller. The settings panel will open and show you several options including audio, graphics, and user settings.

Select your username to open the name-change screen

In the Settings panel, look for your current username displayed near the top. It appears as a clickable field or button. Select it by clicking on it (desktop) or pointing at it with your controller and pressing the trigger (VR headset). This opens the name-change dialog box.

The dialog will show your current name highlighted in a text field. The field is ready for you to type. You do not need to clear the old name first — straightforward start typing and your new name will replace it.

Type your new name and confirm the change

Type the name you want to use. VRChat allows most characters, including spaces, numbers, and special characters like hyphens and underscores. There is no official character limit, though very long names (over 30 characters) may not display fully on player name tags in-world.

Once you have typed your new name, look for a Confirm or Save button. Click it or press the button prompt shown on your controller. The dialog will close and your name change is complete. You will see your new name displayed in the settings menu when ready.

Understand when other players will see your new name

Your new name shows up in your own client right away, but other players will not see it until they load into a world with you after the change. If you are already in a world with other players when you change your name, they will continue to see your old name until one of you leaves and re-enters the world, or until the world reloads.

If you want other players to see your new name when ready, leave the world you are in and join a new one. Your new name will display to everyone in that world from the moment you arrive.

Change your name again anytime with no restrictions

VRChat does not impose a cooldown on name changes. You can change your name as many times as you want in a single day or even within minutes. There is no penalty for changing your name frequently, and your account status and friends list remain unchanged.

Keep in mind that your old name becomes available for other players to use once you change away from it. If you want to keep a name reserved, you will need to stay logged in with that name or use it regularly. Changing your name does not hide your account history or friend connections — players who knew you under your old name can still find you through your friends list or by searching your account ID.

Troubleshoot if the name change does not work

If you select your username but the name-change dialog does not open, try closing the settings menu completely and opening it again. On VR headsets, make sure you are pointing directly at the username field and that your controller is tracking properly.

If your new name does not appear after you confirm, restart VRChat. Close the process completely and launch it again. Your new name should display in the settings menu and to other players in worlds. If the name still does not change after a restart, check your internet connection — VRChat needs to sync the change to its servers, and a poor connection may prevent this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same name as another player?

No. VRChat requires all usernames to be unique. If you try to change to a name that another player already uses, the system will reject the change and ask you to pick a different name. You will see an error message telling you the name is taken.

Will my friends see my old name in their friends list after I change it?

No. Your friends list updates automatically to show your new name. Anyone who has you added as a friend will see your new name the next time they open VRChat or refresh their friends list.

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, as long as no one else has claimed that name in the meantime. If another player has taken your old name, you will not be able to use it again unless they change their name first.

Does changing my name affect my avatar or account progress?

No. Your avatars, worlds, friends, and account history all stay exactly the same. Only your display name changes. Your account ID remains the same and is not visible to other players.

What if I want to hide my real name from other players?

Your VRChat username is your display name — it is always visible to other players in worlds. You can choose any name you want, including a nickname or pseudonym, but you cannot hide your display name from other players while you are in a world with them.