RuneScape Name Release 2026: Dates, Rules & How to Check a Name
Par Fred, Editor
Jagex starts releasing abandoned RuneScape names on 5 November 2026. HandleGrab now checks RuneScape and OSRS display names, so you can test your shortlist and monitor the names worth waiting for.
The first RuneScape name release in nearly a decade begins on 5 November 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Jagex will release one batch of abandoned names each weekday through November, starting with names that begin with A. Names starting with numbers are saved for the final few batches.
HandleGrab now checks RuneScape display names against Jagex's official player lookup. One check covers both Old School and RS3, because both games use the same display name on the account. You can test a name in seconds, then monitor it and get an email when it flips from taken to available.
The short version
The RuneScape name release starts 5 November 2026 at 11:00 UTC and continues every weekday in November. To claim a released name you need an active membership and 800 total level in OSRS or 900 in RuneScape. A name that looks free can still be reserved to another account, so check it and monitor it rather than relying on a single lookup.
RuneScape name release 2026 at a glance
- First batch
- 5 November 2026, 11:00 UTC
- Release schedule
- One batch each weekday through November
- Batch order
- Starts with A; numbers come in the final batches
- Claim requirement
- Membership plus 800 OSRS total level or 900 RS total level
- Eligible accounts
- Inactive for 2+ years and banned, never a member, or bond-only membership ended 5+ years ago
What is the RuneScape name release?
A name release frees display names held by abandoned characters and returns them to the pool. Jagex reviews accounts that have been inactive for at least two years and meet one of three conditions: the account is permanently banned, has never been a member, or only paid for membership with bonds that ended at least five years ago.
This is not the same as a name being unused. An unranked or banned character still holds its display name even when it is missing from the hiscores. Until Jagex releases that account's name, the name is taken and cannot be claimed by anyone else.
"We'll be releasing character names starting with the letter A and continuing to release batches with groups of letters in varied batches each weekday until all names have been released." — Jagex, Name Release Begins Soon, 3 November 2026
Official announcement →
Who can claim a released name?
Eligibility has two sides: the account losing the name, and the player claiming it.
The abandoned account must have:
- •Been inactive for at least 2 years.
- •Been permanently banned, never had membership, or had bond-only membership end at least 5 years ago.
The claiming player must have:
- •An active RuneScape membership.
- •A skill total of at least 800 in Old School or 900 in RuneScape.
- •No name change in the last 28 days, unless a Bond is redeemed to skip the cooldown.
Jagex raised the skill-total requirement from 500 after player feedback. The new thresholds are 800 for OSRS and 900 for RS3.
How to check a RuneScape name before the batch drops
The official lookup tells you whether a character currently holds a name. It does not tell you whether that name is reserved, about to be released, or blocked by Jagex. Treat a single check as a snapshot, not a reservation.
RuneScape display name rules
| Rule | RuneScape (OSRS & RS3) |
|---|---|
| Length | 1–12 characters |
| Allowed characters | Letters, numbers, spaces, underscores, hyphens |
| Separators | Cannot start or end with a space, underscore or hyphen |
| Case | Case-insensitive |
| Spaces vs underscores | Treated as the same: Bob Smith = bob_smith |
| Blocked words | "mod" anywhere, plus offensive or deceptive names |
| Name change cooldown | 28 days; a Bond removes the wait |
| Old name reservation | 35 days to 6 months, depending on how long it was held |
Why a RuneScape name can look free but still be unclaimable
The checker answers one question: does a character currently hold this name? Two cases can still block a claim even when the answer is no.
The name is reserved.
After a rename, the old name stays reserved to that account for at least 35 days and up to 6 months. No character holds it, so it appears free, but nobody else can claim it until the reservation ends.
Jagex rejects the name.
Names containing "mod" or offensive language are blocked at the claim screen. The lookup can report no owner and the name can still fail.
The holder is invisible in the hiscores.
Banned and unranked characters do not appear on the hiscores but still own their display names. A name only becomes claimable when Jagex releases that account's name in a batch.
How to improve your odds in the 2026 release
Check your RuneScape name free
Run a free OSRS and RS3 name check, then track the names worth waiting for. HandleGrab emails you when a name becomes available — you claim it in RuneScape.
✅ RuneScape checks now live • 41 platforms monitored • Free weekly checks • Daily and hourly plans available
RuneScape name release FAQ
When does the RuneScape name release start?▼
The first batch is released on 5 November 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Jagex releases one batch each weekday through November, starting with names beginning with A.
What skill total do I need to claim a released name?▼
You need 800 total level in Old School RuneScape or 900 total level in RuneScape, plus an active membership. Jagex raised these from 500 in response to player feedback.
Are RuneScape names shared between OSRS and RS3?▼
Yes. Both games use the same display name on the account, so one name check covers Old School and RS3.
Can I claim a name that shows as available?▼
Not always. A name can show as free because no character holds it while still being reserved to another account for 35 days to 6 months. Jagex can also reject names containing "mod" or offensive language.
Do banned characters lose their names?▼
Not automatically. Banned characters are absent from the hiscores but still hold their display names. A name only becomes free when Jagex releases that account's name in a release batch.
What are the RuneScape display name rules?▼
Names are 1–12 characters using letters, numbers, spaces, underscores and hyphens. They cannot start or end with a separator. Names are case-insensitive and spaces count the same as underscores.
How often can I change my RuneScape name?▼
Once every 28 days as a member. Redeeming a Bond removes the cooldown. Your old name is then reserved to you for at least 35 days and up to 6 months.
Is there a RuneScape name checker?▼
Yes. HandleGrab's free RuneScape name checker queries Jagex's official player lookup to show whether a display name is held. You can then monitor the name and get an email when it becomes available.
Related reading
Keep going
The first batch drops 5 November
Check your RuneScape names now and set up alerts before the release begins.
Check a RuneScape Name Free