Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains one of Nintendo’s most celebrated titles for the Nintendo Switch, delighting fans with its tranquil, customizable island life experience.
Released worldwide on March 20, 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons broke sales records, quickly becoming one of the best-selling games of all time for the Nintendo Switch.
The immersive gameplay is complemented by charming characters like Tom Nook, Timmy, and Tommy, and has recently been updated with a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, further expanding its reach and longevity. One of the earliest and most personal decisions in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is choosing a name for your new island, a process initiated shortly after you sign up for the Nook Inc.
Deserted Island Getaway Package.
As players gather around a cozy campfire with Tom Nook and other residents, they're prompted to suggest an island name—a choice that will define their virtual home for the duration of their adventure. Players are presented with creative suggestions from in-game characters, such as "Raccland," "Bellview," or "Isla del Biceps," but ultimately, the decision is yours to make.
Once you submit your chosen name, it becomes a permanent identifier for your island.
Nintendo does not currently allow players to change island names, even after upgrading Resident Services—a key facility in the game.
While you are able to customize your island’s flag and musical tune, the name will remain fixed, underscoring the importance of this choice. Tom Nook, the series’ entrepreneurial raccoon, welcomes the naming process as a major milestone, reinforcing the message that every island is a unique, player-driven creation.
"Naming your island is a special moment, and we encourage everyone to choose something meaningful to them," Nintendo has stated in past communications.
An important restriction to note for players: the island name is limited to 10 characters, making it vital to keep creativity concise (e.g., "Eventide" instead of "Eventide Island"). Another key consideration is that only one island can be created per Nintendo Switch system, regardless of the number of physical or digital copies used.
This makes the island name a long-lasting, highly visible reflection of your creativity—especially when inviting friends and family through local multiplayer or Nintendo Switch Online. For those seeking inspiration, there’s a world of iconic islands from video game history to draw from.
Here is a selection of fictional islands that are ideal for sparking your imagination when naming your own paradise: - Angel Island (Sonic 3 & Knuckles) - Balamb Island (Final Fantasy VIII) - Eventide Island (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Cinnabar Island (Pokémon Red and Blue) - Isle Delfino (Super Mario Sunshine) - Koholint Island (The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening) - Outset Island (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker) - Yoshi’s Island (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island) - Wuhu Island (Wii Sports Resort) - Shadow Moses Island (Metal Gear Solid) There are many more options, and the choice ultimately boils down to personal taste—whether you reference a beloved franchise, a favorite location, or something entirely original. Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues to foster creativity and community, standing out as a flagship title for both the Nintendo Switch and the newly released Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
With its iconic island naming ritual, the game encourages players to leave a personal mark on their digital world, making each adventure truly their own.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now on the Nintendo eShop and at major retailers worldwide.
Released worldwide on March 20, 2020, Animal Crossing: New Horizons broke sales records, quickly becoming one of the best-selling games of all time for the Nintendo Switch.
The immersive gameplay is complemented by charming characters like Tom Nook, Timmy, and Tommy, and has recently been updated with a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, further expanding its reach and longevity. One of the earliest and most personal decisions in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is choosing a name for your new island, a process initiated shortly after you sign up for the Nook Inc.
Deserted Island Getaway Package.
As players gather around a cozy campfire with Tom Nook and other residents, they're prompted to suggest an island name—a choice that will define their virtual home for the duration of their adventure. Players are presented with creative suggestions from in-game characters, such as "Raccland," "Bellview," or "Isla del Biceps," but ultimately, the decision is yours to make.
Once you submit your chosen name, it becomes a permanent identifier for your island.
Nintendo does not currently allow players to change island names, even after upgrading Resident Services—a key facility in the game.
While you are able to customize your island’s flag and musical tune, the name will remain fixed, underscoring the importance of this choice. Tom Nook, the series’ entrepreneurial raccoon, welcomes the naming process as a major milestone, reinforcing the message that every island is a unique, player-driven creation.
"Naming your island is a special moment, and we encourage everyone to choose something meaningful to them," Nintendo has stated in past communications.
An important restriction to note for players: the island name is limited to 10 characters, making it vital to keep creativity concise (e.g., "Eventide" instead of "Eventide Island"). Another key consideration is that only one island can be created per Nintendo Switch system, regardless of the number of physical or digital copies used.
This makes the island name a long-lasting, highly visible reflection of your creativity—especially when inviting friends and family through local multiplayer or Nintendo Switch Online. For those seeking inspiration, there’s a world of iconic islands from video game history to draw from.
Here is a selection of fictional islands that are ideal for sparking your imagination when naming your own paradise: - Angel Island (Sonic 3 & Knuckles) - Balamb Island (Final Fantasy VIII) - Eventide Island (The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild) - Cinnabar Island (Pokémon Red and Blue) - Isle Delfino (Super Mario Sunshine) - Koholint Island (The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening) - Outset Island (The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker) - Yoshi’s Island (Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island) - Wuhu Island (Wii Sports Resort) - Shadow Moses Island (Metal Gear Solid) There are many more options, and the choice ultimately boils down to personal taste—whether you reference a beloved franchise, a favorite location, or something entirely original. Animal Crossing: New Horizons continues to foster creativity and community, standing out as a flagship title for both the Nintendo Switch and the newly released Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
With its iconic island naming ritual, the game encourages players to leave a personal mark on their digital world, making each adventure truly their own.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available now on the Nintendo eShop and at major retailers worldwide.
