WoW Forever early name reservations are open: who can claim names, how the two-name system works and key dates

The race for character names in World of Warcraft: Forever is on. Blizzard opened Early Name Reservations on Tuesday, Oct. 27, giving players who bought an upgrade edition about a week to lock in the names they want before the game launches on Nov. 4.

Names are first-come, first-served, and WoW: Forever uses a new two-part naming system, so the rush to grab favorite names drew wide attention among players on launch day of the reservation window.

When name reservations open and close

According to Blizzard, Early Name Reservation runs from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3, 2026. Start times by region:

World of Warcraft: Forever launches globally on Nov. 4, 2026, at 3 p.m. PST (6 p.m. ET), Blizzard says.

Who can reserve names

Early Name Reservation is included with any WoW: Forever upgrade purchase, according to Blizzard. The upgrade editions are:

• Skyborne Heroic Pack: includes the new Skyborne race and Zephras Isle starting experience, Early Name Reservation, a mount, cosmetics, a toy and one Invite-A-Friend Launch Code.
• Skyborne Epic Pack: everything in the Heroic Pack plus beta access (the beta ran Sept. 17 to Oct. 21), 30 days of game time starting Nov. 4, more cosmetics and pets, and two extra Invite-A-Friend codes.
• Warcraft Forever Collection: everything in the Epic Pack plus Warcraft III: Reforged and the new Forsaken Kingdom campaign. Blizzard says this limited-time bundle is available through Jan. 11, 2027.

Access to WoW: Forever itself is included with a regular World of Warcraft subscription or game time. The upgrade packs are optional.

How to reserve your names

Blizzard’s steps:

1. Update your graphics drivers.
2. Download and install the Battle.net desktop app, and let it update.
3. Select World of Warcraft from the list of games.
4. In the Game Version menu above the Play button, choose World of Warcraft: Forever, then Install.
5. When installation finishes, select Play and choose your Ruleset.
6. Create up to three characters with the names you want.

The three-character limit applies across all Rulesets during reservation. If you make two characters on a PvP Ruleset, for example, you can only make one more on a Normal or Role-Play Ruleset. Blizzard says this cap applies only to Early Name Reservation.

The new two-name system, explained

WoW: Forever is built around a larger, realmless world, so names work differently than in the classic game. Each character gets two names, like a first name and a surname. Per Blizzard:

• The full two-name combination must be unique within your region, not just on one realm.
• Two players can share a first name as long as their full names differ.
• Shared second names are allowed, so a guild or family of characters can use a common surname. Blizzard’s example: Asha Brightvale, Thalen Brightvale and Mira Brightvale.
• You can hide your second name in the game world under Options, then Nameplates, by checking “My Secondary Name.” It will still show in chat.
• Naming rules still apply, and the system checks both names together, so splitting a restricted word across the two names won’t necessarily get it through.

Blizzard is clear that desired names can’t be guaranteed. If your combination is taken or breaks the rules, you’ll need to pick another, or use the in-game random name generator.

FAQ