If you’ve ever regretted the silly random username you picked when you first booted up The First Descendant ahead of the 2026 ranked season, or you want to rebrand your profile for the mid-year Void Invasion update, you’re not alone. I spent 20 minutes digging through menus last month trying to figure out how to change name on The First Descendant after my friend group decided to match usernames for our cross-platform raid team, and I ran into so many outdated guides that no longer worked for the latest game update. This walkthrough uses the 2026 post-patch menu layout, so you won’t waste time clicking through tabs that don’t exist anymore. We’ll cover free and paid name change options, common bugs to avoid, and rules for acceptable usernames so you don’t get your request rejected.
How to Change Name on The First Descendant: 2026 Step-by-Step Process for All Platforms
First off, note that the menu layout changed a lot with the 2026 Void Invasion update, so old guides that tell you to go to the “Profile” tab from the main menu are no longer accurate. I tested these steps on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and mobile last week, so they work across all supported platforms. This is the only working method for how to change name on The First Descendant right now, since the old profile tab method was removed in the January 2026 patch. The core process is the same for every device, with small platform-specific verification steps:
If you’re playing on console, you’ll be redirected to your platform’s account settings first to approve the change, which takes an extra 10 to 15 seconds. Don’t close the game during this process, or your change might not save properly, and you’ll have to start over. I made that mistake the first time I tried, and I had to wait 24 hours before I could submit another request.
Free vs Paid Name Change Options for 2026
One of the biggest questions I see in the official The First Descendant Discord right now is whether name changes cost money, and the answer depends on when you created your account and how many changes you’ve already made. All players get one free name change automatically added to their account after the 2026 update, even if you already used a free change before the patch rolled out. That’s a one-time bonus from Nexon to celebrate the game’s 2nd anniversary, so you should use it before it expires on December 31, 2026.
If you’ve already used that free change, you’ll need to purchase a Name Change Ticket from the in-game store for 500 Void Crystals, which costs around $4.99 USD. There’s no limit to how many paid name changes you can buy, but you have to wait 7 days between each change, no matter if it’s free or paid. That cooldown is in place to prevent trolling and harassment, so you can’t keep switching your name to avoid being reported for bad behavior in multiplayer lobbies.
You don’t have to buy a separate ticket for each platform if you play cross-progression, by the way. One name change applies to all linked accounts, which is a big improvement from the pre-2026 system where you had to change your name separately on every device you played on. You also won’t lose any of your progress, clan membership, or friend list when you change your name, since the change only affects your display name, not your internal account ID.
Common Username Rejection Reasons to Avoid in 2026
I’ve seen dozens of players post about their name change requests getting rejected, and most of the time it’s for a simple, avoidable reason. The 2026 community guidelines update tightened up the username rules to cut down on hate speech and offensive content, so you need to make sure your desired name fits the requirements before you submit it.
First, usernames can’t be longer than 16 characters, and they can only include letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens. Special characters like emojis, spaces, or symbols will get your request rejected immediately. You also can’t use any trademarked terms, including the names of Nexon employees, official The First Descendant characters, or brand names from partner promotions.
The most common rejection reason I see right now is names that include harassing, discriminatory, or sexually explicit language, even if it’s coded or misspelled. The moderation team uses both AI filters and human reviews for name change requests, so you won’t be able to sneak around the rules with alternate spellings. If your request is rejected, you won’t lose your free name change or your Name Change Ticket, but you will have to wait 24 hours before you can submit another request.
If you’re not sure if your desired name is acceptable, you can check the official 2026 community guidelines page for a full list of prohibited terms and username requirements. That’s the most up-to-date resource, so you won’t have to guess if your name will be approved.
What to Do After You Change Your Name in The First Descendant
Most players think the process ends as soon as they get the confirmation pop-up, but there are a few small steps you should take to make sure everything updates correctly, especially if you play in regular groups or participate in ranked leaderboards.
First, double-check that your name updated correctly in all game modes. Hop into a quick public match, and check the scoreboard to make sure your new name is showing up for other players, not your old one. If it still shows your old name, restart your game once – that fixes 99% of display bugs related to name changes.
If you’re part of a clan or a static raid group, let your teammates know you changed your name, so they don’t kick you from lobbies thinking you’re a random stranger. I forgot to tell my raid team when I changed my name last month, and they almost booted me from our weekly Void Bishop run before I recognized one of their usernames and typed in our group chat password.
Finally, if you’re on the ranked PvE or PvP leaderboards, your name will update within 24 hours of your change. Don’t panic if it still shows your old name for the first day after you make the switch – leaderboard data refreshes once a day, so it just needs time to sync. If it still hasn’t updated after 48 hours, you can submit a support ticket to the Nexon help center, and they’ll fix it manually for you. Another small thing to note: your old username will be locked for 90 days after you change it, so no one else can take it during that window. If you regret your new name, you can change back for free within those 90 days without using another name change token, which is a nice little safety net Nexon added in the 2026 update.
Changing your username doesn’t have to be a frustrating process, even with all the menu changes and rule updates that rolled out this year. As long as you follow the 2026 steps we outlined, avoid prohibited terms, and double-check for display bugs after you confirm, you’ll have your new name set up in less than five minutes. Whether you’re rebranding for a new ranked season, matching usernames with your friend group, or just ditching a silly name you picked when you first started playing, knowing how to change name on The First Descendant lets you customize your profile exactly how you want it. If you run into any issues that aren’t covered in this guide, drop a comment below, and I’ll help you troubleshoot.