WoW Forever Name Reservation Guide (27 Oct 2026)
Early Name Reservation for World of Warcraft: Forever runs from 27 October to 3 November 2026. Here is when it opens, who can reserve, how it works with the new first + last name system, and how to give yourself the best chance of getting the name you want.
Countdown to name reservation
Counting down to 27 Oct 00:00 UK time (GMT). Exact opening time to be confirmed by Blizzard.
Key dates
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Public stress test | 19 Oct 2026 (names wiped afterwards) |
| Beta ends | 21 Oct 2026 |
| Early Name Reservation opens | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Name reservation ends | 3 Nov 2026 (PT) |
| Release | 5 Nov 2026 |
Opening time: Blizzard has not announced an exact opening time yet (as of 17 Oct 2026). Dates are given in Pacific Time, so in Europe it may open during the evening of 27 Oct or overnight. We'll update this page as soon as the time is confirmed.
Remember the UK clocks go back on 25 Oct, so UK time is GMT (UTC+0) on reservation day.
Who can reserve a name?
Early Name Reservation comes with any Forever upgrade: the Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection. A beta invite on its own isn't enough. If you're waiting for a physical Collector's Edition code, it may not arrive in time for 27 Oct.
How it works
- Get an eligible upgrade on Battle.net.
- From 27 Oct, log in to World of Warcraft: Forever.
- Create and fully customise up to three characters.
- Each needs a first name and a last name. The full combination must be unique across your whole region and all rulesets (Normal, PvP, RP, Hardcore).
- Names are first come, first served and not guaranteed.
7 tips to get the name you want
- Prepare 3–5 full names per character now with the name generator or the last name generator.
- Check they're valid in the name checker: 2–12 letters each, no apostrophes or hyphens, no letter three times in a row.
- Your first name doesn't have to be unique, only the full name. If "Arthas" is popular, a rare last name still gets you in.
- Use accents (é, ö, ñ) for a near-identical spelling; try the name-taken tool.
- Be online early on 27 Oct and have the names copied (★ favourite them) so you can paste quickly.
- Prioritise your main: reserve the name you care most about first.
- RP ruleset? Pick a lore-friendly name; puns may be force-renamed. See the race pages for lore-style names.
Find your name now
Human names · Dwarf names · Night Elf names · Gnome names · Orc names · Undead names · Tauren names · Troll names · Skyborne names
Warrior · Paladin · Hunter · Rogue · Priest · Shaman · Mage · Warlock · Druid
Sources: Blizzard news ("Create a Name of Your Own in WoW: Forever", pre-purchase announcement), Blizzard Watch, Method.gg. Unofficial fan summary; always check Blizzard's announcements.
FAQ
When does WoW Forever name reservation start?
Early Name Reservation opens on 27 October 2026 and runs until 3 November 2026 (Pacific Time). Blizzard has not yet announced the exact opening hour.
Who can reserve a name early?
Players who pre-purchase an upgrade: the Skyborne Heroic Pack, Skyborne Epic Pack or the Warcraft Forever Collection. Beta access on its own does not include early name reservation.
How many names can I reserve?
Up to three characters per account. You can fully create and customise them during the reservation window.
Is my name guaranteed?
No. Names are reserved first come, first served and Blizzard says desired names cannot be guaranteed.
Do I need a first and last name?
Yes. Every Forever character has a first name and a last name, and it is the full combination that must be unique within your region (across all rulesets).
Do beta or stress-test names carry over?
No. Beta and stress-test characters, names and guilds are wiped before name reservation opens on 27 October.
What if I miss name reservation?
You can still create characters at launch on 5 November 2026; just expect popular full names to be gone. Use the name-taken tool to find close alternatives.
Can I change my name later?
At the moment there is no paid name change service in World of Warcraft: Forever, so pick carefully.