We’ve all been there: you signed up for Mobile Legends as a total newbie, picked a random username you thought was funny at the time, and now you’re stuck cringing every time your teammates call it out in ranked matches. Or maybe you’re rebranding your in-game identity after switching main heroes or joining a new squad, and your old name no longer fits your vibe. Whatever your reason, figuring out how to change name in Mobile Legends is simpler than you might think, even if you’ve never messed with your account settings before. This guide breaks down every part of the process, from getting the required items to avoiding common mistakes that can get your account penalized.
What You Need Before You Change Your MLBB In-Game Name
Before you start typing out your new dream username, there are a few non-negotiable requirements you have to meet first. Moonton has strict rules for name changes to prevent abuse, impersonation, and toxic behavior, so you don’t want to skip these checks. The core item you’ll need for any name change is a Rename Card, the only official in-game item that lets you modify your display name. You can either buy one from the in-game shop for 299 diamonds, or earn one for free through events and rewards, which we’ll cover later in this guide.
You’ll also need to make sure your account meets all of the following criteria to be eligible for a name change:
If your account has an active report against your current username, you won’t be able to submit a name change request until the report is reviewed and resolved by Moonton’s support team. Name changes take effect immediately once confirmed, so you won’t have to wait for a review period unless your new name is flagged for potential guideline violations after you submit it.
Step-by-Step Process to Change Name in Mobile Legends
Once you have your Rename Card ready and a new name picked out, the actual change process only takes about 30 seconds if you follow these steps correctly. First, open the Mobile Legends app and wait for it to load fully to the main lobby screen. Tap your profile icon in the top left corner of the screen to open your account profile page, where you can see your match history, main heroes, and current account stats.
Next, look for the small gear-shaped settings icon right next to your current display name, right under your profile picture. Tap that icon, and you’ll see a dropdown menu with a “Change Name” option — select that to open the name change input box. Type your desired new name into the input field, making sure it fits the 16-character limit and doesn’t include any prohibited special characters. The game will automatically check if the name is available as you type, so you’ll see a green check mark if it’s free to use, or a red error message if someone else already has that name.
If your desired name is taken, you can try adding small variations like a number at the end, an underscore, or a minor spelling tweak to make it unique. Once you have an available name you’re happy with, tap the “Confirm” button. You’ll see a pop-up asking if you want to use your Rename Card to complete the change — tap “Yes” to finalize the process. You can only change your name once every 30 days, so double check that you spelled your new name correctly before you hit confirm, because you won’t be able to fix typos for a full month.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Your MLBB Name
Even though the name change process is simple, lots of players make avoidable mistakes that leave them stuck with a name they hate, or even facing account penalties. One of the most common mistakes is rushing the decision, especially when you’re taking a quick break between ranked matches just to fix a name you’ve been annoyed by for weeks. It’s easy to type the first silly thing that comes to mind just to get the process over with, but that almost always leads to regret later. If you’re already pausing your grind to adjust your account settings, don’t rush the decision — you can even take an extra 2 minutes to unwind with a quick, low-stakes game like Slots Spin before you finalize your new name, so you don’t end up picking something silly you’ll regret in a week.
I learned this lesson the hard way a few years ago: I rushed a name change after a terrible ranked loss where my tank main teammate threw the game, so I picked “IHateTankMains” as a petty joke. For the next 30 days, almost every squad I joined had a tank main who would make fun of my name, and I even missed out on joining a competitive guild because the guild leader was a tank main who thought I was trolling. Don’t make that same mistake.
Another common mistake is using overly complicated special characters that are hard to type, because your friends won’t be able to search for your account to add you to squads or custom matches. You should also avoid any names that reference hate speech, illegal activities, or impersonate other players. Impersonating pro players or Moonton staff can result in a permanent account ban, so avoid any names that include terms like “Official” or the handle of a popular MLBB esports athlete unless it’s clearly a harmless parody that won’t confuse other players.
How to Get a Free Rename Card for Your Name Change
You don’t have to spend real money on diamonds to get a Rename Card, there are lots of free ways to earn one through regular gameplay if you’re willing to wait a little bit. First, new players get a free Rename Card automatically when they reach account level 5, so if you’re just starting out, you won’t have to spend any diamonds at all for your first name change. If you’ve already used that free first Rename Card, there are still plenty of other options.
Guild shops almost always sell Rename Cards for 2000 guild coins, which is easy to earn if you do your daily guild quests and participate in weekly guild battles. Most active players can earn 2000 guild coins in 1 to 2 weeks without any extra effort, so this is one of the most reliable ways to get a free Rename Card. Moonton also gives out free Rename Cards during major seasonal events, like the annual anniversary event, Lunar New Year event, or back-to-school events, so keep an eye on the event reward tracks whenever a new update drops.
Occasionally, Moonton will also send free Rename Cards to all players via in-game mail as compensation for server outages, buggy updates, or other technical issues. Never use third-party sites that promise free rename cards — they almost always ask for your account login details and will steal your account, hack your device, or install malware. Stick only to official in-game rewards for free Rename Cards to keep your account safe and avoid getting banned.
At the end of the day, picking the right in-game name is a small but fun way to make your Mobile Legends experience feel more personal and true to who you are as a player. Now that you know how to change name in Mobile Legends, you can swap out that old cringey username for something you’ll be proud to have called out during your next ranked win streak. Just take your time picking your new name, follow the official process, and you’ll be all set in less than a minute. Happy grinding!