Path of Exile 2 (still) needs to rethink globally unique character names
I get that names need to be unique somewhere, but requiring globally unique character names in PoE2 feels outdated and unnecessarily restrictive.
I’ve tried dozens of names, and everything is taken, even moderately unique or thematic ones. No spaces are allowed, which forces us into ugly mashed-together names that break immersion. It’s frustrating when PoE is a game about constantly making and deleting new characters to explore builds, yet the simple act of naming them becomes an exhausting process.
At minimum, allow spaces to increase combinations and readability. But better yet, please move to account-unique names, like many modern ARPGs and MMOs, allowing us to use the names we want while still displaying our account name for identity, safety, and trading clarity.
Diablo 4 and Last Epoch don’t have this restriction, and it doesn’t cause any problems in trading, chat, or public zones. Here’s why they aren’t technically needed:
- Modern servers and account systems can easily support non-unique character names, since your account ID uniquely identifies you for trade, chat, and grouping.
- Diablo 4 and Last Epoch use account-based identity while allowing multiple players to have the same character name.
- PoE already uses your account name in trades and whispers, so your character name does not need to be globally unique to handle transactions or social interactions.
Why GGG is likely still using globally unique names:
- Legacy infrastructure from PoE1’s older architecture.
- Possibly to avoid confusion in public towns.
- Less development complexity than reworking systems to allow duplicate names.
- A “default safe” design choice when the game first launched, before standards evolved.
But none of these reasons are compelling in 2025, especially for a flagship ARPG like PoE2 that is trying to modernize its systems while respecting player time. Thousands of decent names are permanently locked by inactive accounts for no meaningful reason, and it’s a frustrating barrier to an otherwise immersive experience.
If GGG wants PoE2 to be as welcoming and modern as possible, rethinking globally unique character names should be on the list.
Comments
Names are only "taken" if someone logged in on that character within 1 year. So you should try again in december.
This is a non issue.
It's not that bad. I named the character i made 10 days ago MommyAtziri. Get creative
I’ve tried dozens of names, and everything is taken
have you tried adding 69420 at the end?
Long ago in PoE I started using a specific naming system to keep track of characters and ensure I'd never run into used names. Still serves me well, but this would be a very welcome change.
Out of all the things that need modernization I don't think is one of them. Good ole creativity
WillieBHardagain wasn't taken when I started the league, not so much when PennyTration was being created.
I have a unique name that i just use for each season using the season's abbreviation.
i.e. if my name was 'Bob' in Standard, I named my warrior in Dawn of the Hunt 'BobDOTH'.
Seems to work.
(I didnt actually get the name 'Bob'. I used that as an example.)
Why do people use ChatGPT to write basic posts
I like how dumb names are because of this. It’s part of the charm to me lol
I_AM_LEEROY_JENKINS. My name wasnt taken, but fr use an underscore for a space like everyone else.
For PoE1, I have made a technically-pronouncible prefix and I add a suffix to it.
For example, my first ranger was Zdwerpy. Next was Zdwerple. Then Zdwerpth. And so on.
If you don't care about names sounding realistic, it becomes much easier.
Why are people using AI to write posts on this godforsaken site??
in both path games i have hated the naming system and even seemingly random shit is taken
I use non-ASCII names for my characters and rarely are the names taken. PoE/PoE2 support many different character sets, though sadly not generally unicode emoji.
This is why one of the first things I did in the game, before even exiting the first town, was reserving like 10 unique names to rotate between leagues.
I'm sorry but if this is how GGG plays, so I will.
xXAznAssassin42069BlazeItXx was taken again?
You mean Chumbawumba69420 is taken again this season?
This is kind of annoying. I want to take the game seriously, but since all serious names are taken I always name my characters something silly like MagicalMagicWitchGirlMage...
"Tdoyfjgufjtdtejckgjgjfncjsmfjcjrjcyd", thats my latest character name.
The last season was " lsxojwfougUfwugkGkwgugskciwg"
GeorgeHairyBush wasn’t taken
HarryPotterObamaBABYmomma was taken again :(
Unique names is the least of it. Optimisation for consoles would be much more appreciated. It runs like shit on PS5 which is a real bummer because the game is awesome otherwise.
This seems like such a tiny issue compared to all the other changes and content people want. Like sure sometimes you have to modify your characters name to get it to work but I would much rather the devs spend time on pretty much anything else. The same people that would be working on this change could spend that time improving the game in ways that the majority of people would notice/feel instead.
Please write your posts yourself. Maybe if you did, you'd have a bit more practice coming up with unique names lol
I'll never forgive GGG for forcing me to rename TrumpIsTrans RIP my Mercenary king.
No MMMGoudaGirl and PoopFeast420 were available. Maybe just get more creative?
i think it helps keeps name original, even the weird shit that looks wack is original. if you dont want to engage with that creativity its more on you as its your choice to do so, and not on the game i'd say.
lets see your list of names that were taken.
remembering and whispering xXHotMomsXx is infinitely easier than whispering Csfwgrt#69420
Its my turn to be Legolas.
I juist make everything with poops and farts in different ways like, StinkyDeathCloud, TheSoundOfBrown, GreaseSquirts. So far I havent had an issue with names being taken.
I like to make some surname fantasybased or other like: stoneskin, skinwalker etc. and just add fantasy name with _ between. No problem with that combination.
Underscores are your friend.
Yeah it's a bit outdated and certainly ridiculous for a game that wants to be played forever.
Yeah this shit pisses me off. I had the name Zoobi since closed beta and I deleted the character to make a new one at the start of settlers league and somehow someone managed to nab it in the 5 seconds it took me to make the character. So now the name I’ve used for online gaming since like 1997 is forever unavailable to me in PoE. Thankfully I have it on PoE2, we’ll see how long that lasts.
Have you considered coming up with a unique name for your character?
I use chatgpt now and just spam all the namens i like till i get one. Was a bit sad that to sirsnakealot was take for my voltacis snake Char but cant have it all.
With the System atm its cool to see a Player with a good Name and write him GZ on the Name etc
Yeah, I'm pissed DivLordYeahI Live Withyor Mom isn't allowed. Pissed!
Realizing how naming worked in PoE1, and knowing that I had to bookend underscores for the names I always use in games, I try to log in and secure my names as early on launch as possible.
Finally have them for PoE2, and I will forever delete and remake those characters each league to keep the names. Lol
Realizing how naming worked in PoE1, and knowing that I had to bookend underscores for the names I always use in games for PoE1, I tried to log in and secure my names as early as possible on PoE2 launch.
Finally have them for PoE2, and I will forever delete and remake those characters each league to keep the names. Lol
Just because you used chatgpt to write this I want names to be unique
It doesn't make any sense. When you get the party invite, it shows the account name anyway. When you look at the trade site, it shows the account name. Very annoying.
I have my own naming scheme, where the first four letters are always the same and then I come up with some fantasy second part of the name. Never had any conflicts. For example: Say you like the sound of "Dro", and you want want a female name, just make something like "Drovalia" or "Drovinya" or "Drotexis" etc. Male name? Drogovan Drotexo Drovyn Drovar Drokumo Dronahael etc... Be creative.
And if any of them are indeed taken... Ad a syllable, or come up with a new affix.
I started putting a acronym of the season name in front of my character name so it can stop being rejected e.g. DOTH_Deadeye
Global unique names is how you get “deathBYsnuSNU420xXx”.
disagree the restriction has led me to using some truly moronic and deranged names for my characters
Someone took my preferred name "ReallyBigApe" :*(
I can't be the only one who uses the "[ethnicity] names for girls/boys" websites for inspiration, but I'm still surprised when I pick something that I think is obscure enough to be available only to find out that half the list is already taken. Thankfully "Badass_von_Biscuitgravy" was available for my warrior, but even that took 10 minutes to think of and practically exhausted what little creativity I have..
Ask ChatGPT of your name is available. All games are first come first serve
Yeah last time it was as difficult to find a nickname is in wow xD