In short: WoW Forever's early name reservation runs October 27 to November 3, 2026. It comes with the upgrade packs (Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack and the Warcraft Forever Collection), lets you create and customize up to three characters, and names are reserved first come, first served: Blizzard warns that the name you want isn't guaranteed. The only thing that has to be unique is the combination of both names in your region.
Everything here comes from Blizzard's official article on names, the pre-purchase page and the beta client's own strings. Where something hasn't been published, we say so.
When it is and who can reserve
| Dates | October 27 to November 3, 2026 |
| Who | Anyone with an upgrade pack: Skyborne Heroic, Skyborne Epic or the Warcraft Forever Collection |
| Characters | Up to three, which you can create and customize |
| How names are handed out | First come, first served |
| Launch | November 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM PST (23:59 CET), per Blizzard |
Blizzard hasn't published what time the reservation opens on October 27. No pack? No problem: you create your characters on launch day with whatever names are still free. Launch times for every country are on the launch page.
Main name and secondary name
Every character in Forever has two names. The character creation screen calls them the Main Name and the Secondary Name (players say "first name and surname"). The client explains the secondary name like this: it's "used together with your Main Name to create your character's unique identity across the region."
What counts is the combination:
- Two characters can share a first name if their secondary names differ.
- Several characters can share a secondary name. Blizzard's example is a family: Asha Brightvale, Thalen Brightvale and Mira Brightvale. A guild can use a shared naming scheme too.
- The combination is unique across the whole region, not one realm: Forever has no realm list. More context in No realms: rulesets and surnames.
Want only your first name to show? In game: Escape > Options > Nameplates and tick "My Secondary Name" to hide it. It disappears above your character but still shows in chat.
The rules
From Blizzard's article:
- Names must follow the game's naming code of conduct.
- Names, words, spellings and repeated characters may be restricted, as may names that cause confusion, impersonate Blizzard or conflict with naming policies.
- The system looks at both names together: splitting a restricted word across the main and secondary name doesn't make it valid.
And the ones the beta client itself shows as error messages when you create a character:
| Client message | What it means |
|---|---|
| "Names must be at least 2 characters" | At least 2 letters |
| "Names can't be more than 12 characters" | At most 12 letters |
| "Names can only contain letters" | No numbers or symbols |
| "Can't use the same letter three times in a row" | "Arrrgh" fails; "Arrgh" works |
| "Names can't contain spaces" | Each name is a single word |
These are the messages the client shows during character creation. Blizzard hasn't said whether the secondary name has different limits from the main one, so plan for the same.
What to have ready
- Three or four combinations written down in order of preference. If your first pick is taken, you won't be improvising. The name generator checks the rules above and saves the ones you like under "My names".
- Race and class decided. If you're torn, the race and class randomizer and the which race to pick guide help. The Skyborne need a pack.
- Your ruleset chosen: Normal, PvP or RP. According to Blizzard, you can't switch rulesets without a character transfer. On the PvP ruleset, your whole account is on one faction.
- Playing with friends or a guild? Agree on the ruleset, faction and, if you like, a shared secondary name beforehand.
- A calendar reminder. The button in the reservation kit adds it to your calendar.
FAQ
When is the WoW Forever name reservation?
October 27 to November 3, 2026. Blizzard hasn't published the opening time on the first day.
Do I need to buy something to reserve a name?
Yes: early reservation comes with the upgrade packs (Skyborne Heroic, Skyborne Epic and the Warcraft Forever Collection). Without a pack, you create your characters on launch day with a regular subscription or game time.
How many names can I reserve?
You can create and customize up to three characters during the reservation, each with its own main and secondary name.
Can I use a name someone else already has?
Yes, as long as the other name is different. What can't repeat in your region is the full main-plus-secondary combination.
Can I hide my surname?
Yes. In Escape > Options > Nameplates, the "My Secondary Name" checkbox hides it above your character. Chat still shows the full name.
