Plan your WoW: Forever first + second name.
Only the full name has to be unique in your region, so the first name you have used for years can still be yours as long as the second name makes the pair different.
Prepare up to 3 characters and rank your backups before Early Name Reservation. This free planner runs in your browser.
Updated 27 Oct 2026 · Blizzard’s two-name system
When does name reservation open in my time zone?
Europe: Tue 27 Oct · 18:00 CET
Choose a region to see its opening time in your time zone.
The closing hour on 3 Nov has not been published. Blizzard’s reservation times
Build your reservation list
Start with your favourite pair, then add backup first or second names separated by commas, and the list ranks your main pair first with every alternative after it.
1 of 3 slots used: Normal ×1
Copy the list or a share link before you close the tab. The link keeps your plan after the # in the URL, a part your browser never sends to a server.
How does the two-name system work?
Each character has a first name and a second name, like a surname. The complete combination must be unique within the region, across its realmless world. Blizzard’s family examples are Asha Brightvale, Thalen Brightvale and Mira Brightvale.
Names must follow the in-game code of conduct. Blizzard evaluates both parts together, so splitting a restricted word across the pair does not make it valid. Certain words, spellings and repeated-character patterns are restricted, including impersonation of Blizzard.
The planner checks WoW’s long-standing name format. Each part uses 2–12 letters without spaces or digits. Three identical letters in a row are flagged. Only the first letter is capitalised. Blizzard can still reject a combination.
The checker highlights obvious impersonation words and joins both parts to catch restricted-looking splits, but it can't see which names are already taken, because names are first come, first served on the live servers. If everything on your list is gone, the in-game random name generator is still there.
Read Blizzard’s naming explanation →How many names can I reserve?
Up to 3 characters in total across all rulesets, and the cap only applies while Early Name Reservation runs.
You need an eligible Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack, Warcraft Forever Collection or Collector’s Edition purchase. This page prepares your list; create the characters in the game client.
- Update your graphics drivers, then open and update the Battle.net app.
- Select World of Warcraft. In the Game Version menu above Play, select World of Warcraft: Forever.
- Select Install, then Play. Choose your ruleset and create up to 3 characters.
What are the regional opening times?
- Europe
- Tue 27 Oct · 18:00 CET
- North America
- Tue 27 Oct · 13:00 PDT
- Korea
- Wed 28 Oct · 07:00 KST
- Taiwan
- Wed 28 Oct · 07:00 CST
Reservation runs through 3 November 2026. Source: Blizzard
Can I change rulesets later?
Moving between rulesets means creating a new character, so settle on Normal, PvP, Roleplaying or Roleplay-PvP with your friends before you spend a slot, and remember that on the PvP ruleset one account can only play one faction.
Hardcore arrives after launch; Blizzard has not announced a date. It is excluded from this reservation planner’s ruleset choices.
Blizzard’s ruleset guide →Can I hide my second name?
Yes. Press Esc → Options → Nameplates, then turn off the checkbox “My Secondary Name”. Your second name stops displaying in the world but still appears in chat.
Blizzard’s secondary-name setting →Naming ideas that survive first-come-first-served
Build alternatives around the name you want to keep.
A family second name for alts or guildmates
Asha Brightvale → Thalen Brightvale → Mira Brightvale. A shared family name connects the characters while their first names differ.
A place-style second name with a backup
Mira Reedford → Mira Mistford → Mira Ashford. You keep the first name and only swap the place-style ending, which is the quickest way to stay recognisable to friends when your first pick is gone on day one.
Give a common word a full-name alternative
Rather than building your whole plan around “Shadow”, try Thalen Duskwell with Asha as a backup first name and Reedford as a backup second name. The tool ranks all four combinations.
Names ready. Plan your launch week.
WoW: Forever launches 4 Nov 2026 at 15:00 PST, which is 5 Nov at 00:00 CET. Blizzard’s launch announcement. Use the launch calendar and free ICS calendar file to keep the dates.
Launch-Week Planner
€96 PDFs + 3 calendar files. A4, US Letter and screen editions.
PDF (A4, US Letter, screen edition) and calendar files by email within 24 hours. Free v1.x updates by email until 9 December 2026.
Buy Launch-Week Planner · €9One-time payment. No VAT is charged under § 19 UStG (German small business regulation).
Guild Pack · 5 players
€157 PDFs + 3 calendar files. Share with up to 5 players in one guild.
Planner files plus guild officer sheets PDF by email within 24 hours. Free v1.x updates by email until 9 December 2026.
Buy Guild Pack · €15One-time payment. No VAT is charged under § 19 UStG (German small business regulation).
More questions about name reservation
Can someone else use my first name?
Yes. In WoW: Forever, the complete first-and-second-name combination must be unique within the region. A different second name allows the same first name.
Does this planner reserve or check availability?
Reserve in the WoW: Forever game client. This planner checks a name format and prepares backups; it cannot check whether another player has taken a combination.
Which purchases qualify for Early Name Reservation?
An eligible Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack, Warcraft Forever Collection or Collector’s Edition purchase is required. Reservation runs through 3 November 2026; Blizzard has not published a closing hour.
Are the format checks confirmed Forever limits?
The checker uses WoW’s long-standing name format: 2–12 letters per part, letters only, no three identical letters in a row, and only the first letter capitalised. Blizzard has not published a Forever length limit or allowed-character list.
Where does my plan go?
Your edits stay in this page’s memory. Copy your list to keep it. A share link puts the plan in the URL fragment after #; the fragment is not sent to the server. Anyone with that link can read the plan.