Changing your summoner name in League of Legends is a pretty straightforward process, but there are a few things you need to know before you dive in. Whether you're looking to refresh your identity, rebrand yourself, or just ditch that old embarrassing name you chose when you first started playing, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. Let's get started, summoners!

Why Change Your Summoner Name?

Before we get into the how, let's talk about the why. There are plenty of reasons why you might want to change your name in League of Legends. Maybe you've outgrown your current name, or perhaps you want something that better reflects your personality or playstyle. Here are a few common reasons:

• Rebranding: If you're trying to build a streaming or content creation presence around League of Legends, a consistent and recognizable name is crucial. Changing your in-game name to match your brand can help people find and remember you.
• Fresh Start: Sometimes, you just need a clean slate. A new name can feel like a fresh start, especially if you've had a rough patch in your games or want to distance yourself from a previous reputation.
• Embarrassment: Let's be honest, we've all made questionable choices when we were younger. If you chose a cringeworthy name when you first started playing, now's your chance to fix it.
• Privacy: If you're concerned about privacy, changing your name can help you avoid being easily found or tracked by people you'd rather not interact with.
• Just for Fun: Maybe you just want to try something new! There's nothing wrong with changing your name simply because you feel like it.

No matter your reason, changing your summoner name is a simple way to give yourself a new identity in the League of Legends world. So, let's get into the steps on how to do it!

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Summoner Name

Alright, guys, here's the nitty-gritty on how to actually change your name in League of Legends. It's not rocket science, but you'll need to follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Open the League of Legends Client

First things first, fire up your League of Legends client. Make sure you're logged in to the account you want to change the name for. This might seem obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people accidentally try to change the name on the wrong account!

Step 2: Navigate to the Store

Once you're logged in, look for the "Store" button in the top right corner of the client. It looks like a little pile of coins. Click on it to open the store.

Step 3: Go to the Account Section

In the store, you'll see a bunch of different tabs on the left-hand side. Look for the "Account" tab. It might be labeled something slightly different depending on the current client version, but it should be easy to spot. Click on it.

Step 4: Purchase a Summoner Name Change

In the account section, you should see an option to purchase a "Summoner Name Change." This will cost you either Riot Points (RP) or Blue Essence (BE). The exact cost can vary, but it's usually around 1300 RP or 13900 BE. Keep in mind that you'll need to have enough RP or BE in your account to make the purchase.

• Riot Points (RP): These are purchased with real money. If you don't have enough RP, you'll need to buy some through the client.
• Blue Essence (BE): This is earned by playing the game, completing missions, and disenchanting champion shards. If you're short on BE, you might need to grind a bit before you can change your name.

Once you've decided how you want to pay, click the button to purchase the Summoner Name Change. You'll be prompted to confirm your purchase.

Step 5: Enter Your New Summoner Name

After you've purchased the Summoner Name Change, you'll be prompted to enter your new name. This is where you get to unleash your creativity! Keep a few things in mind when choosing your new name:

• Availability: Your new name must be unique and not already taken by another player. The client will check the availability of your chosen name and let you know if it's available.
• Profanity: Your name cannot contain any offensive or inappropriate language. Riot Games has a pretty strict policy on this, so keep it clean.
• Length: Your name must be within a certain length range. I believe the requirement is 3-16 characters in length.
• Special Characters: The use of special characters in summoner names varies by region. Some regions permit a broader use of accents, symbols, and other graphical characters, whereas others have a more restricted approach. It’s always best to check the most up-to-date information that Riot Games provides for the specific regulations in your region.

Once you've chosen a name that meets all the requirements, enter it into the box and click "Check Availability." If the name is available, you're good to go!

Step 6: Confirm Your Name Change

Finally, you'll be asked to confirm your name change. Double-check that you've entered the correct name and that you're happy with it. Once you confirm, your name will be changed, and it will be reflected in the game.

Important Note: Your old name will be released back into the pool of available names, so someone else could potentially snag it. If you think you might want to revert to your old name in the future, keep that in mind.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Changing your name in League of Legends is pretty simple, but here are a few extra tips and things to keep in mind:

• Cooldown: You can only change your name once every 30 days. So, make sure you're really happy with your new name before you commit.
• Friends List: Changing your name will not remove you from your friends' lists, and it won't affect your matchmaking rating (MMR).
• Custom Skins: Your custom skins and other cosmetic items will not be affected by a name change.
• Riot Support: If you run into any issues during the name change process, don't hesitate to contact Riot Support. They're usually pretty helpful and can walk you through any problems you might encounter.
• Check the League of Legends service status page: Before changing your summoner name it's good to check the service status page for any alerts that there may be some issues with the League of Legends store, account, or game. This could save you money and time in case there is some issue that is actively being worked on.

Choosing the Perfect Name

Okay, so you know how to change your name, but what should you change it to? Choosing the perfect name can be tough, but here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Your Main Champion: Pay homage to your favorite champion by incorporating their name or lore into your summoner name.
• Your Playstyle: Reflect your playstyle with a name that suggests your strengths. For example, if you're an aggressive player, you might choose a name like "AggroMaster" or "DiveKing."
• Your Personality: Let your personality shine through with a name that reflects your interests, hobbies, or sense of humor.
• A Combination: Combine elements of your main champion, playstyle, and personality to create something unique and memorable.
• Keep it Clean: As stated before, keep it clean of profanity or explicit terms.

What If My Desired Name Is Taken?

So, you've got the perfect name in mind, but when you go to claim it, you find out it's already taken. Don't worry, it happens! Here are a few strategies you can try:

• Get Creative: Try adding numbers, symbols, or alternate spellings to your desired name. For example, if "AwesomeSauce" is taken, you could try "AwesomeSauce123" or "Awes0meSauce."
• Check for Inactivity: If the name is taken by an inactive account, it might become available eventually. Riot Games occasionally releases inactive names back into the pool. There are third party sites available that may notify you of when a name is to be released due to inactivity.
• Contact Support: In rare cases, you might be able to contact Riot Support and ask them to release the name. This is usually only possible if the account is very inactive and the name is preventing you from using a name that's closely associated with your brand or identity.

Final Thoughts

Changing your name in League of Legends is a simple way to refresh your gaming experience and express yourself. Whether you're rebranding, seeking a fresh start, or just want a name that better reflects who you are, the process is quick and easy. Just remember to choose wisely, as you can only change your name once every 30 days. So go ahead, summoners, and find the perfect name to represent you on the Rift!