You can change your PSN name through your account settings on your console or the PlayStation website

To change your PlayStation Network (PSN) name, go to your PS5 or PS4 console, open Settings, select Account, then Profile, and choose Online ID. You can also make the change through the PlayStation website by signing into your account, going to Profile Settings, and selecting Edit next to your Online ID. The process takes a few minutes and the new name appears immediately across your account.

Your first name change is free. If you want to change it again, PlayStation charges a fee — currently $9.99 on PS5 and PS4, though this varies by region and may change. You cannot revert to a previous name unless you pay for another change.

Key Takeaways

  • Your first PSN name change costs nothing; subsequent changes cost $9.99 each in most regions.
  • The new name takes effect immediately on your console and the PlayStation website, and appears to other players right away.
  • Some games made before 2018 may not recognize your new name and will show your old one in-game, though your actual PSN name has changed.
  • You cannot use a name that is already taken, contains profanity, or violates PlayStation's naming rules.

Changing your name on a PS5 console

Open Settings from the home screen. Select Account, then Profile, then Online ID. Enter your new name — it must be between 3 and 16 characters, can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but cannot start or end with a hyphen. PlayStation will tell you immediately if the name is taken or breaks their rules.

Review the name one more time before confirming, because you cannot undo the change without paying for another one. Select Change, then confirm your choice. Your new name is live within seconds.

Changing your name on a PS4 console

Go to Settings, select Account, then Online ID. The same naming rules apply: 3 to 16 characters, letters and numbers only, no leading or trailing hyphens. Enter your new name and select Change.

If you see a message that your name cannot be changed, you may have already used your free change. In that case, you can still change your name by paying the fee through the same menu.

Changing your name through the PlayStation website

Sign into your PSN account at playstation.com. Click your profile icon in the top right, select Profile Settings, and find the Online ID section. Click Edit next to your current name. Enter your new name using the same rules as the console (3 to 16 characters, no leading or trailing hyphens).

The website will show you whether the name is available before you confirm. Once you select Change, the new name appears on your account immediately. You do not need to restart your console for the change to take effect.

What happens to your old name and games you own

Your old PSN name becomes available for someone else to use. Games you own stay on your account — you do not lose access to anything you have purchased. Your game library, trophies, and save files all remain tied to your account under your new name.

Some older games made before 2018 may still display your previous PSN name in-game, even though your actual account name has changed. This is a limitation of how those games were built and is not something you can fix. Newer games show your current name correctly.

Naming rules and what to avoid

PlayStation does not allow names that contain profanity, hate speech, or references to illegal activity. Names cannot include spaces, and they cannot start or end with a hyphen. You also cannot use a name that is already taken by another player.

If you try to use a name that breaks these rules, PlayStation will reject it and ask you to choose a different one. There is no appeal process — you simply pick another name that follows the guidelines.

If you are charged for a change you thought was free

Your first name change is free, but only if you have never changed your PSN name before. If you have already made one change, every change after that costs money. Check your PlayStation Store purchase history to see if you have already used your free change.

If you were charged and believe it was an error, you can contact PlayStation Support through the official PlayStation website. They can review your account history and may be able to refund the charge if there was a mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my friends still be able to find me after I change my name?

Yes. Your friends list does not change, and they will see your new name immediately. You remain in their friends list under your new PSN name, and they can still message and play with you.

Can I change my name back to my old one?

Only by paying for another name change. Your old name becomes available for other players to use once you change it, so if you want it back, you would need to pay the fee and hope no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

How long does it take for the name change to show up everywhere?

The change is instant on your account and the PlayStation website. It appears to other players immediately. Some older games may take longer to update or may not update at all, but your actual PSN name has changed right away.

What if the name I want is already taken?

PlayStation will tell you the name is unavailable when you try to use it. You will need to choose a different name. You cannot reserve a name or join a waiting list for a taken name.

Do I need to change my password after changing my name?

No. Your password stays the same, and changing your PSN name does not affect your account security. You sign in with your email address and password, not your PSN name.