You cannot change your island name after you create it

Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not have a built-in feature to rename your island once you have named it at the start of the game. The island name is set during the initial setup when you first boot up the game, and Nintendo has not added an option to change it in any update since the game's release in March 2020.

If you want a different island name, your only option is to start a new game file. This means creating a new player profile on your Nintendo Switch console and beginning the game from scratch on a fresh island. Your original island and all progress on it will remain, but you cannot transfer items, bells, or villagers to the new file — each island exists independently.

Key Takeaways

  • Island names cannot be changed after you set them during the initial game setup.
  • Starting a new game file is the only way to get a different island name, and it requires a new Switch profile.
  • Your original island remains playable; you can keep both islands on the same console if you have multiple profiles.
  • Items, bells, and villagers do not transfer between islands, so a new file means starting your collection over.

What happens when you create your island

When you start Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the first time, the game walks you through a series of choices before you arrive on your island. Tom Nook asks you to name your island, and this is the only moment in the game where you can make this choice. The name can be up to 10 characters long and appears on your passport, in dialogue, and on any custom designs you share online.

Once you confirm the name and proceed past this screen, the choice is locked in. The game does not offer a way to revisit this decision later, even through the settings menu or by talking to Tom Nook again. This is different from other customizable elements like your character's appearance, which you can change at any time by visiting a mirror or vanity in your home.

How to start a new island on the same console

If you decide you want a different island name, you will need to create a new user profile on your Nintendo Switch. Go to System Settings, select Users, and choose Create New User. You can set up a new profile with any name you want — this profile name is separate from your island name.

Once the new profile is created, launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons from that profile. The game will recognize it as a new player and offer you a fresh island with a new name. Your original island will still exist under your original profile and can be played whenever you switch back to it. Both islands can exist on the same console indefinitely.

Keep in mind that each island operates completely separately. You cannot move items between them, and villagers on one island will not appear on another. If you want to share items between your islands, you would need a second Switch console or to trade with another player online.

Why Nintendo does not allow island name changes

The island name is woven into the game's design in ways that make it difficult to change after creation. Your passport displays the island name, and it appears in dialogue from villagers and NPCs. Custom designs you create and share online are tagged with your island name, and changing it retroactively could create confusion for players who have downloaded your designs.

Nintendo has not publicly stated that they plan to add an island rename feature in future updates. The game has received many quality-of-life improvements since launch, but the island name has remained locked. This is a permanent design choice rather than a technical limitation.

Alternatives if you regret your island name

If you are unhappy with your island name but do not want to start over, you have a few options. You can continue playing on your current island and straightforward think of a nickname for it informally — many players do this anyway. Your friends will know what you call it even if the official name is different.

You can also wait to see if a future update adds a rename feature, though there is no indication one is coming. In the meantime, your island name only appears in specific places: your passport, villager dialogue, and shared custom designs. It does not appear in your home, on your furniture, or in most of your day-to-day gameplay, so it may feel less prominent than you think.

If you are early in your game and have not invested many hours yet, starting a new file is a reasonable choice. The first few hours of Animal Crossing are largely the same regardless of island name, so restarting is less costly early on than it would be after months of play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my island name if I have a lot of progress?

No. There is no way to change your island name at any point in the game, regardless of how much progress you have made. If you want a new name, you must start a new game file, which means losing all items, bells, and villagers on your current island.

Will my island name show up when I play online with friends?

Yes. Your island name appears on your passport, which other players can see when they visit your island or you visit theirs. It also shows up on any custom designs you share through the online design portal.

Can I have multiple islands with different names on one Switch?

Yes. Each user profile on your Switch can have its own island with its own name. You can create up to eight user profiles on a single console, so you could theoretically have up to eight different islands with different names.

What if I share my Switch with someone else — can they have a different island?

Yes. If another person has their own user profile on your Switch, they can create their own island with their own name when they start Animal Crossing. That island will be completely separate from yours and will not affect your progress.

Is there any way to transfer my items to a new island?

Not directly. Items do not transfer between islands on the same console. However, if you have a second Switch or a friend with a Switch, you can visit their island, drop your items there, and then pick them up on your new island. This requires coordination but is the only workaround.