How to Change Your Minecraft Name (Java and Bedrock)

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Java: sign in at minecraft.net, open your profile and change your Profile Name - you can do it once every 30 days, free. Bedrock: your in-game name is your Xbox gamertag; change it at xbox.com - the first change is free and later changes cost money.

What you need

Access to the Microsoft account that owns your Minecraft copy
A new name that is not taken (3-16 characters for Java)

Step by step

Java Edition: go to minecraft.net and sign in with your Microsoft account.
Open your profile page and find the Profile Name section.
Enter the new name and save. Names are 3-16 characters: letters, numbers and underscores only.
Wait before re-changing: Java allows one name change every 30 days.
Your old name does not transfer with you on servers: server owners recognize you by your account ID, so your inventory, homes and bans follow the account, not the name.
Bedrock Edition: your display name is your Xbox gamertag. Change it at xbox.com (Social > Gamertag) or on an Xbox console.
The first gamertag change is free; after that, Xbox charges a fee per change, so pick carefully.
After changing, restart the game and your launchers so the new name shows everywhere.

Java vs Bedrock

Java and Bedrock names are completely separate systems: changing one never changes the other.

Versions: The 30-day Java cooldown and Microsoft-account profile page apply to current Minecraft: Java Edition. Bedrock naming follows Xbox gamertag rules on all platforms.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose my worlds or server progress if I change my name?

No. Worlds live on your device, and servers track your account ID, not your name. Your progress, inventories and permissions follow the account.

Can two players have the same name?

On Java, no: profile names are unique and you cannot take one that is in use. Xbox gamertags can be shared - duplicates get a numeric suffix shown after the name.

Can I change my name back?

Yes, as long as nobody else has taken the old name - but the 30-day cooldown (Java) or the paid fee (Bedrock, after the first free change) still applies.