You cannot change your island name once you have named it at the start of the game

When you start a new game of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you name your island during the opening sequence. That name is permanent for that save file. Nintendo does not offer an in-game option to rename your island later, and there is no workaround within the normal game menu.

If you want a different island name, your only option is to start a new game and create a fresh save file with a new island. This means losing all progress, buildings, items, and villagers on your current island. For most players, this is not a practical solution after investing time into their island.

Key Takeaways

  • Island names cannot be changed through any menu option or setting in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
  • Starting a new game is the only way to get a different island name, which erases your entire save file.
  • Your resident character's name can be changed at any time using a mirror or vanity in your home, but your island name cannot.
  • Different Nintendo Switch profiles can each have their own Animal Crossing save file with a different island name.
  • If you share a Switch with others, each person can create their own island on a separate profile.

Why island names are locked in Animal Crossing

Nintendo designed Animal Crossing: New Horizons so that your island name becomes part of your island's identity from the moment you arrive. The name appears on signs, in dialogue, and in your save file data. Changing it mid-game would require the game to update references throughout your entire island, which the developers chose not to support.

This is different from your character's name, which you can change freely. The island itself is treated as a fixed entity once created, similar to how you cannot change a town's name in earlier Animal Crossing games.

What you can change about your island and character

While your island name is locked, you have control over almost everything else. Your resident character's name, appearance, clothing, and hairstyle can all be changed at any time using a mirror or vanity furniture item in your home. You can also redesign your house, move buildings around, terraform the landscape, and change decorations as often as you want.

If you have multiple residents living on your island (through additional player profiles on the same Switch), each resident has their own name and appearance, but they all share the same island name.

Using multiple profiles to have different islands

If you own a Nintendo Switch and want multiple islands with different names, you can create separate user profiles on the console. Each profile can have its own Animal Crossing save file with its own island name. This is the only way to have two islands with different names on the same Switch.

Keep in mind that each island save file takes up storage space on your Switch, and you can only play one island at a time. You switch between them by changing which user profile you log in as before starting the game.

Planning your island name before you start

Because your island name cannot be changed, it is worth thinking through your choice before you begin the game. Consider whether you want a name based on a theme, a personal reference, a pun, or something else entirely. Popular choices include references to other games, nature-based names, or names inspired by real places.

You have up to 10 characters for your island name, so you have room for something meaningful without being too long. Take a moment during the opening sequence to choose something you will be happy with for the long term.

What happens if you restart your game

If you delete your save file and start over, you will lose everything on that island: all your items, bells, buildings, villagers, and progress. Your new island will have a fresh start with a new name of your choice. This is a complete reset, not a rename of your existing island.

Before you delete a save file, make sure you are certain you want to start over. Nintendo does not offer a way to recover deleted save data for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my island name if I use a different Switch?

No. Your island name is tied to your save file, not your console. If you transfer your save to a different Switch, the island name comes with it. You would need to start a new game on the new Switch to have a different island name.

What if I share my Switch with family members?

Each family member can create their own user profile on the Switch, and each profile can have its own Animal Crossing save file with a different island name. You cannot have two islands with different names under the same profile.

Can I change just part of my island name?

No. The entire island name is locked once you name it. You cannot edit, shorten, or modify it in any way through the game.

Is there a way to rename your island using cheats or hacks?

Modifying your save file through hacking or cheats is not supported by Nintendo and can damage your save data or get your account flagged. The safest and only intended way to have a different island name is to start a new game.