You can change your PlayStation Network name once per year for free, and a second time if you pay

Your PlayStation Network (PSN) name is the username that appears on your profile and in multiplayer games. You can change it through your account settings on a PlayStation console or through the PlayStation website. The first change in a 12-month period is free. If you want to change it again within that year, Sony charges a fee—currently $9.99 in the United States, though this varies by region.

The change takes effect when ready, but some games and apps may take a few hours to show your new name. Your friends list, trophies, and game progress stay attached to your account; only the display name changes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PSN name change in 12 months costs nothing; a second change within that period costs $9.99 in the US.
  • You can change your name on any PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console, or through the PlayStation website on any computer.
  • The name change is when ready on your account, though some games may take a few hours to display the new name.
  • Your old PSN name becomes available for other players to claim after you change it.
  • Some games may not recognize the new name if they were designed before the name-change feature existed.

How to change your name on a PlayStation console

Start on the home screen of your PS4 or PS5. Press the PS button on your controller to open the quick menu, then select your profile icon at the top left. Choose "Profile" and then "Edit Profile." Select "Online ID" and enter your new name. The system will check whether the name is available and whether it violates PlayStation's naming rules—no offensive language, no impersonation of real people, no excessive numbers or special characters.

After you confirm the new name, you will see a message telling you whether this is your free change or whether a charge will explore. If it is your first change in 12 months, no payment is required. If you have already used your free change, the system will ask you to confirm the $9.99 charge before proceeding. Once you confirm, the change is complete and your new name appears on your profile when ready.

How to change your name on the PlayStation website

Go to www.playstation.com and sign in with your PSN account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account." Choose "Profile" and then "Edit." Find the "Online ID" field and click "Change." Enter your new name and follow the same verification process as the console method.

The website method works the same way as the console: your first change is free, and subsequent changes within 12 months cost $9.99. You will see the charge notification before you confirm, so you can cancel if you change your mind.

What names are not allowed

PlayStation blocks names that contain profanity, slurs, or hateful language. The system also rejects names that impersonate real celebrities, public figures, or PlayStation staff members. Names with too many numbers in a row, excessive special characters, or spaces at the beginning or end are typically rejected as well.

If your chosen name is rejected, try removing numbers, using fewer special characters, or choosing a different word entirely. The system will tell you which part of the name caused the problem, so you can adjust and try again.

What happens to your old name

Once you change your PSN name, your old name becomes available for other players to claim. This happens when ready. If you want to prevent someone else from taking your old name, you cannot—there is no way to reserve it or keep it inactive.

Your friends, trophies, and game progress all stay tied to your account under your new name. People who had you on their friends list will see your new name the next time they log in. Games you have played will show your new name in the trophy list, though some older games may display your old name for a while if they have not synced with the name-change system.

Games that may not show your new name

Most modern games update to show your new PSN name within a few hours. However, some older games—particularly those released before 2015—were built before PlayStation added the name-change feature. These games may continue to display your old name in-game, even though your profile shows the new one.

This is a limitation of how those games were programmed, not a problem with your account. Your actual PSN name has changed; the game is straightforward not designed to recognize the change. Newer games and all future games you play will show your new name correctly.

When you cannot change your name

You cannot change your PSN name if your account is suspended or banned. You also cannot change it if you have an outstanding balance on your account or if you are in the middle of a chargeback dispute with your payment method.

If you see an error message when you try to change your name, check your account status on the PlayStation website. If your account is in good standing and you still cannot change your name, restart your console and try again. If the problem persists, contact PlayStation Support through their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I change my PSN name?

You can change your name once per year for free. After that, each additional change within the same 12-month period costs $9.99. The 12-month timer resets on the anniversary of your last free change.

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 the next time they log in. You do not need to re-add anyone or send new friend requests.

Can I change my name back to my old one?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed it. Since old names become available when ready after you change, someone else may have taken it. If they have, you would need to wait for them to change their name before you could reclaim it, or you would need to choose a different name.

Does changing my name affect my game progress or trophies?

No. All your game saves, trophies, and progress stay attached to your account. Only the display name changes. Your trophy list will show your new name going forward.

What if I see an error when I try to change my name?

The most common errors are that the name is already taken, the name violates PlayStation's rules, or your account has a restriction. Check that your name does not contain profanity or too many numbers. If the name is allowed and you still get an error, restart your console and try again, or try changing it through the website instead.