Change Your Activision Account Name in Three Steps

You can change the display name on your Call of Duty account through your Activision account settings. The process takes about five minutes and does not require you to create a new account or lose your progress, cosmetics, or rank. You will need to know your current password and have access to the email address linked to your account.

The name you change is your Activision account name — the one that appears above your head in multiplayer lobbies and on your player card. This is separate from your console gamertag (PlayStation Network ID, Xbox Live gamertag, or Steam username), which you change through your console or platform settings instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to activision.com, sign in with your email and password, and select Account Settings to find the name change option.
  • You can change your Activision name once every 30 days, and the new name takes effect when ready in Call of Duty.
  • Your console gamertag (PlayStation, Xbox, or Steam) is separate and must be changed through your console or platform, not through Activision.
  • If you cannot find the name change option, make sure you are signed into the correct Activision account and that your account is not restricted.
  • Changing your name does not affect your rank, battle pass progress, weapon blueprints, or any other in-game progress.

Sign Into Your Activision Account Online

Open a web browser and go to activision.com. Click the sign-in button in the top right corner. Enter the email address and password you use for your Call of Duty account. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to enter the code from your authenticator app or email.

Make sure you are signing into the account that owns your Call of Duty progress. If you have multiple Activision accounts, signing into the wrong one will not show your game data. You can check which account is linked to your console by going to your game's account settings in-game and looking for the linked Activision ID.

Navigate to Account Settings and Find the Name Change Option

Once you are signed in, look for your profile icon or username in the top right corner and click it. Select Account Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left side of the page, you should see a menu with options like "General," "Security," and "Connections." Click on General.

In the General section, look for a field labeled Activision ID or Display Name. This is the name that shows in Call of Duty. Click the edit icon (usually a pencil) next to your current name. Type your new name into the text box. Activision names must be between 3 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores — no spaces or special characters.

Confirm Your New Name and Wait for It to Take Effect

After you type your new name, click the Save or Confirm button. Activision will ask you to re-enter your password to confirm the change. Type your password and click confirm. The system will show you a message saying your name has been updated.

Your new name should appear in Call of Duty within a few minutes. If you are already in a game, you may need to restart the game or return to the main menu for the change to show up. Other players will see your new name the next time they encounter you in a lobby or match.

Understanding the 30-Day Wait Between Name Changes

Activision allows you to change your name once every 30 days. This means after you change your name, you cannot change it again for 30 days from the date of the change. If you try to change it before 30 days have passed, the system will show you a message telling you when you can change it next.

The 30-day timer resets from the date you made the last change, not from a calendar month. So if you change your name on March 15, you can change it again on April 14. Plan your name changes accordingly if you think you might want to adjust it soon.

What Happens to Your Progress When You Change Your Name

Changing your Activision account name does not affect any of your in-game progress. Your rank, level, battle pass progress, weapon blueprints, operator skins, and all other cosmetics stay exactly as they are. Your K/D ratio and match history remain tied to your account. Friends will still see you as the same person — your account ID does not change, only the display name.

If you are worried about being tracked or recognized by other players, changing your name will make you harder to find in recent match history, but players who have you added as a friend will still know who you are. Your account statistics and past matches are still visible to anyone who searches your old name on stat-tracking websites, though those sites may take time to update.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If the Name Change Option Does Not Appear

If you cannot find the name change option in Account Settings, first check that you are signed into the correct Activision account. Go back to activision.com and look at the email address shown in the top right — it should match the email linked to your Call of Duty account. If it does not, sign out and sign back in with the correct email.

If you are signed into the right account and still do not see the option, your account may have restrictions in place. This can happen if your account was recently created, if there was suspicious activity, or if you have violated Activision's terms of service. Try again in a few hours or contact Activision Support through their website. You can also try changing your name through the in-game settings menu: go to Settings, Account, and look for a name change option there.

Changing Your Console Gamertag Separately

Your console gamertag (your PlayStation Network ID, Xbox Live gamertag, or Steam username) is different from your Activision account name. If you want to change what appears on your console, you must change it through your console or platform settings, not through Activision.

On PlayStation, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Your Profile > Edit Profile > Change Your Online ID. On Xbox, go to Settings > Account > Personalization > Gamertag. On Steam, right-click your profile name and select "Edit Profile," then change your name in the Profile Name field. These changes take effect when ready on your console but do not change your Activision account name in Call of Duty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once every 30 days?

No. Activision enforces a 30-day waiting period between name changes. If you try to change your name before 30 days have passed since your last change, the system will tell you the exact date you can change it again. You cannot pay to bypass this timer.

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

Yes. Your account ID stays the same, so friends who have you added will still see you in their friends list and know who you are. Only your display name changes. Players who do not have you added will see your new name in lobbies and matches.

What if I change my name and then want to change it back?

You can change your name back, but you will have to wait 30 days from your first change before you can do it. If you changed your name on March 1, you cannot change it again until March 31, even if you want to go back to your original name.

Does changing my Activision name change my PlayStation or Xbox gamertag?

No. Your Activision account name and your console gamertag are separate. Changing one does not change the other. If you want to change your PlayStation or Xbox name, you must do that through your console settings.

What characters can I use in my new name?

Your Activision name can be 3 to 16 characters long and can include letters (A–Z), numbers (0–9), and underscores (_). You cannot use spaces, periods, hyphens, or other special characters. The name is not case-sensitive, so "MyName" and "myname" are treated the same.