We’ve all been there: you rushed through Genshin Impact’s opening setup when you first started playing, picked a throwaway name for your Traveler because you thought it wouldn’t matter, or now you’re tired of the inside joke username you made three years ago. If you’re asking can i change my name in genshin impact, you’re not alone. Thousands of players search for this exact question every month, especially as they get more invested in their account and want their in-game identity to match how they play now. This guide breaks down exactly what’s allowed, what costs are involved, and what loopholes you can use if the official option doesn’t fit what you need.
Can I Change My Name in Genshin Impact Officially?
The short answer is yes, but only for specific types of names associated with your account. A lot of new players confuse the three different name labels tied to their Genshin profile, so it’s important to clarify which ones you can adjust before you dive into settings. The only name you can change freely in Genshin Impact is your public in-game display name, which is the same as your Traveler’s given name. This is the name that shows up on your profile, in co-op lobbies, and when other players search for you to add you as a friend.
Other names tied to your account are far less flexible. Your HoYoverse login ID (the email or username you use to sign into your account) is permanent unless you submit an official support request for extreme circumstances like account hacking. Your unique UID is also completely permanent, with no option to change it even if you contact support, since it’s the core identifier for your account across all HoYoverse systems.
There is a 30-day cooldown period between display name changes, with no associated Primogem cost. That’s a big difference from other HoYoverse games like Honkai: Star Rail, which charges premium currency for name adjustments. Genshin’s free policy makes it easy to tweak your identity whenever you want, as long as you’re willing to wait a month between changes if you change your mind later.
Step-by-Step Process to Change Your In-Game Display Name
Changing your display name takes less than a minute once you know where to look, and the process is identical across mobile, PC, and console platforms. First, open Genshin Impact and log into the server with the name you want to adjust. Open the Paimon menu by tapping the Paimon icon in the top left corner on mobile, pressing Esc on PC, or hitting the Options button on PlayStation or Xbox consoles.
Next, look for the small pencil icon right next to your current display name, located directly below your Adventure Rank badge. Click that icon to open the profile editing menu, then select “Edit Nickname” from the list of options that pop up. Type in your new desired name, double check for typos, then hit confirm. Your new name will apply immediately, and all existing friends on your friends list will see the new name the next time they log on.
Before you submit your new name, you need to make sure it follows HoYoverse’s official community guidelines for usernames. Violations can lead to forced name changes or even account suspensions, so avoid any of the following:
- Offensive, discriminatory, or sexually explicit language of any kind
- References to real-world political figures, hate groups, or violent events
- Impersonation of HoYoverse staff, content creators, or public figures
- Use of special characters that break in-game UI or make your name unreadable
- Advertising for third-party services, account selling, or cheat tools
If your chosen name violates these rules, HoYoverse can force a name change or suspend your account without warning, even if you already submitted it. Moderators regularly scan for inappropriate usernames, so don’t risk your account for a edgy joke that will get old in a week.
Limitations You Need to Know Before Changing Your Name
While the name change process is simple, there are a few common pitfalls that catch players off guard every day. The 30-day cooldown is the biggest one, and there are no exceptions to this rule. I learned this the hard way a couple years back, when I changed my name to a silly meme for a friend’s birthday and was stuck with it for weeks while I waited for the cooldown to end. There is no way to bypass the 30-day name change cooldown, even if you contact customer support, so make sure you’re happy with your new name before you hit confirm.
Another common misconception is that your name will carry over across all servers you play on. That’s not the case. I have a secondary account on the EU server for co-op with friends abroad, and I had to set a separate name for that account when I first made it. If you play on multiple servers, you’ll need to repeat the name change process for each server individually, and each will have its own separate 30-day cooldown.
You also can’t change the names of any playable characters besides your Traveler. A lot of players ask if they can rename their Diluc or Nahida to something more personal, but HoYoverse doesn’t allow that, since character names are tied to the game’s lore and voice lines. The only customization you can do for other characters is equipping alternate outfits or adjusting their placement on your profile showcase.
Finally, remember that changing your display name won’t hide your account from people who already have your UID. Your UID is permanent, so anyone who has saved your UID can still search for you and send friend requests, even if you change your name multiple times. If you’re trying to avoid a specific player, you’ll need to block them directly instead of relying on a name change.
Workarounds If You Want More Customization For Your In-Game Identity
If you’re looking for more ways to personalize your profile beyond a simple display name change, there are a few safe, official workarounds that don’t require you to make a new account. The easiest one is editing your profile signature, which you can adjust as often as you want with no cooldown. You can add secondary nicknames, pronouns, your main character, or even short quotes to your signature to show off your personality, and it will show up right below your name on your profile.
Namecards are another great way to make your profile feel unique without changing your name. There are hundreds of namecards available to unlock through character ascension, event challenges, Spiral Abyss progress, and even birthday rewards. You can switch your active namecard any time from the profile editing menu, and it’s a great way to show off your favorite characters or achievements to other players.
If you’re really attached to a specific name that’s already taken on your current server, you can make a new account to claim that name, but only if you’re still early in the game. It’s not worth ditching an AR 50+ account with limited 5-star characters just for a specific name, since you’ll lose all your progress and purchased items permanently. Never use third-party tools or hacks to change your name or other account details, as this will almost always result in a permanent ban. These tools often steal your account information or inject malware into your device, so they’re never worth the risk.
You can also adjust your profile showcase to highlight your favorite characters or achievements instead of focusing on your name. Most players pay more attention to your character builds, Spiral Abyss progress, and rare namecards than your actual display name anyway, so tweaking those details will make your profile feel far more personal than a simple name change ever could.
At the end of the day, the question of can i change my name in genshin impact has a pretty straightforward answer for most players, as long as you’re only looking to adjust your public display name. The process is quick, free, and only takes a few clicks, as long as you follow the community guidelines and remember the 30-day cooldown. If you’re looking for deeper customization options, the workarounds we listed can help you make your profile feel more personal without risking your account. Just take a minute to double check your new name before you confirm, and you’ll be all set.