Character names

Source: View source Version: Announcement (2026-09) Review: Source checked Last reviewed: 2026-10-23

Reviewed 23 October 2026. Latest written notices. Earlier sections retain their dated sources.

Reviewed 23 September 2026. Includes Blizzard’s September 21 naming guide. Detailed character-validation limits still need testing.

Forever character names have two parts, with names unique within a region.

Preparing a name

Prepare several complete names before using the creation or reservation interface. Treat the two-part announcement as a format description, not a guarantee that a particular spelling is allowed or available. For access and reservation information, use the dated Beginner guide.

To help friends find you, share the full name exactly as displayed and agree on the group's ruleset. Avoid substituting an older realm-name format without checking the Forever interface.

Display and reservation

To hide your surname above your character, open Escape → Options → Nameplates and clear My Secondary Name. Chat still shows it. This display setting does not remove the second part of your name.

Blizzard schedules early name reservation for October 27–November 3, 2026 with eligible upgrades. Reservations are first come, first served; a purchase cannot guarantee a particular name. See Game access for access details.

Validation considers the complete name: splitting a restricted word between its parts does not evade naming rules. Restrictions can include impersonation and repeated-character patterns.

Documenting naming rules

The wiki needs the actual character limit, accepted characters, and full rejection messages. An example screenshot should show the relevant field labels and validation result; a successful example alone does not establish the maximum length or every permitted character.

HELP IMPROVE THIS FOREVER REFERENCE

Evidence still needed

First- and second-part length limits; Allowed punctuation and accented characters; Exact validation messages; Full-name entry in group invitations and mail

Record the Forever build, observation date, and a source or screenshot. Update the article and remove only the tasks your evidence resolves.

Add evidence or resolve a task · What to record · Browse research tasks

Surname requirement

A second name is required. Full-name uniqueness applies across rulesets within the region, not separately to each ruleset.

October 20 reservation details

Blizzard's later instructions give these regional opening times:

Region	Local reservation opening
Europe	27 October, 18:00 CET
North America	27 October, 13:00 PDT
Korea	28 October, 07:00 KST
Taiwan	28 October, 07:00 CST

The three-character reservation limit is shared across all rulesets, not three per ruleset. This limit applies to early reservation. The benefit belongs to the specific WoW account that purchased it.

In Battle.net, select World of Warcraft → Game Version → World of Warcraft: Forever → Install. Then select Play, choose a ruleset and create characters. These are the announcement's regional listings and installation instructions, not a live availability check. The later ruleset notice has separate qualifications.