Is it possible to change account name on Steam? Learn how to update your Steam profile and user name

We’ve all had those usernames that we would rather forget. From the days of MSN Messenger, to MySpace, Bebo and the rest. And if you'd like to change your Steam account name, you've come to the right place!

A user name is often dreamed up by just typing in anything related to what you're listening to at the time, or just a smashing out a mishmash of letters that barely makes sense. So it's only natural that, after a few years, you might fancy changing your Steam user name to something more meaningful and/or less embarrassing.

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Luckily, in recent times, there have been efforts by certain vendors to allow a name-change. Sony gave a half-hearted attempt, while Microsoft allows one free-change, and then a chargeable change if you’re still not happy.

But with Steam, there’s been a slight confusion as to what can and can not be changed, so lets clear this up.

How to change your account name on Steam

First off, you cannot change your Steam account name and SteamID. It’s simply not possible at the time of writing, as this guide says.

But you can change your Steam profile name, which is at least one saving grace. Because the games you buy are single-use licences, they are directly tied to your account, and changing it would bring a heap of confusion if it was allowed.

To change the name, you go to your Steam client, and then to the name in question that’s usually located at the top.

Go to ‘Profile’ in the drop down menu, and there will be an ‘Edit Profile’. At this page, you will be able to change it to whatever you wish, and once you’re done, press ‘Save Changes’.

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You could create a new Steam account instead

While Steam is fantastic in some ways, it can be frustrating in others. The only way to have an account with the name you want, is to simply create another one, but that can be a world of hurt.

It could also create confusion as to which game you own on which account, so it’s advised that you do not go down this route.

But if you’re a streamer and you want to separate certain games for your schedule, alongside streaming-friends, then it may be a good method to go down. But that’s probably the only reason to have two accounts.

Hopefully one day Steam may take a page out of Sony and Microsoft’s book, but right now, the profile-name change is the only way to go.

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