Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using your creativity
• Method 2 of 3: Put safety first
• Method 3 of 3: Automatically create a username
• Tips

To create a good username you have to find the right balance between two extremes. On the one hand, you need to choose an eye-catching username that is easy to remember and reveals something about yourself. On the other hand, you shouldn't include so much personal information in your username that merciless hackers can misuse that data. Therefore, when coming up with a new username, always ask yourself how secure a particular name would be, or use an automatic username generator. On the other hand, try to keep the process a bit fun, by not losing sight of the humor!

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using your creativity

1. Check the rules for choosing a username on the website you want to use. Before you come up with that wonderfully unique username, make sure you are allowed to use it! For example, on most websites you are not allowed to use part of your password in your username, nor can you swear.
   • You can probably use personal information such as your full date of birth or your current address, but it is very unwise for security reasons.
2. Do something with the letters of your first name. For example, try to come up with a rhyme, such as "Dennismetkennis" or "Lisainpisa." Or use alliteration (consonant rhyme), as in "Mighty Mathilde" or "Bright Penny". These strategies may not be unique in and of themselves, but if you use them to edit your name, they are.
   • If you'd rather not use your first name, do something with your second, or with your last name!
3. Combine two or more of your favorite things. Just list everything you like, like, or like, and then make two or three of those words together into a username. This way, you often end up with absurd usernames without meaning, so you can create a unique username faster.
   • For example, if you like panda bears and whales, your username could be something like "PandaVis". Or, if you want a more daring username, you could try "SuperPanda".
   • Use two of your favorite words from different categories. For example, if you like ice hockey, but also like to tinker with waste, you could choose "Ice Cream Craftsman".
4. Add an easy-to-remember number to your favorite hobby. Creating a username based on something you love to do not only makes it easy to remember, but also unique and personal. You will probably have to add something, like a special number, because there are of course a lot of usernames that contain things like "swimmer" or "juggler".
   • You can do this, for example, by using your hobby, in combination with your year of birth, for example: "climber86" or "writer91".
   • If you prefer not to use your year of birth for privacy or security reasons, choose a different set of numbers that is easy to remember. For example, if you will always remember that you first entered a theater sports competition in 2014, you could use "Theatersport14".
5. Use a crazy habit or interest that makes you unique. Like most people, you probably have one or two interests, traits, feelings, or habits that your friends and family always associate with you. There are things that set you apart from most other people, and therefore you can use very well for a username.
   • For example, if you are always tapping with your foot while sitting, you could choose "TinaTenenTapper".
   • Unique things don't necessarily have to be things that apply only to you and to no one else. For example, if all your friends love kumquats, but you really love it, your exceptional love for that fruit could turn you into "kumquatkarin".
6. Combine a hobby or an interest with an adjective. Make two columns on paper. In the left column, list adjectives (funny, lazy, sparkly, sarcastic, etc.) that you would describe yourself with. In the right column, write things you love, such as your favorite hobbies, your favorite animals, and things you like. Then combine a word from one column with a word from the other column, until you have found a combination that seems suitable as a username!
   • Quite often you will encounter usernames created by using the formula "adjective + noun", such as: "ChicChinchilla", or "SeriousChocolate". So again, while the formula isn't unique in itself, the combination you create probably is.
7. Make sure the username you want to use conveys the correct tone. For example, you can choose a username that is funny or dry in tone, but you may also want to evoke a deeper, more intense reaction. Keep this in mind when coming up with possible usernames, especially when making the final decision.
   • For example, a funny username for a writer could be "Coffee Thickener", while if you want a username with a little more depth, you could choose "Ink Feathers".

Method 2 of 3: Put safety first

1. Choose as many different usernames as you can comfortably manage. To create the highest level of security, try to choose a unique username for each website or app, and for each platform. That way you prevent hackers from attacking you by means of a so-called "waterfall effect", as soon as they gain access to one of your accounts.
   • To create a password as secure as possible, use a password management service. A password management service can create completely random usernames and passwords for you and then keep them safe in some sort of vault. An example of a popular password management service is LastPass.
   • During an attack with a so-called "waterfall effect", hackers use information obtained from one account to guess the access data for other accounts.
2. Repeat usernames per category if you don't want to use so many different usernames. At the very least, use a different username for each type of account you have. For example, use one username for social media, another for gaming, another for your bank accounts, and so on.
   • Never use the same username multiple times in combination with the same password.
   • Using a unique username for each account type will help you remember them more easily, while also reducing the chances of falling victim to a "waterfall attack" by hackers.
3. Only use your full name when absolutely necessary, for example for work or in another formal context. You might think that choosing "JanvhWoud" as your username would not reveal too much about yourself, but a dedicated hacker might be able to find out more specific information about you simply based on your name. Still, it is usually better to use your name for work or other formal purposes, but only use it for that specific category.
   • Your first name and your profession usually together provide a good username. For example, you could be "Accountant Renee", "AdrieAttorney", or "ErikaMaselaar".
   • Never use your first name or full name in accounts for non-professional purposes.
4. Do not use numbers from your address, your telephone number or your passport number. Using numbers can make your username unique in a fairly easy way, but always try to make sure you don't give hackers any leads by exposing any of your personal information. With no more than a few digits of your phone or passport number (or another number with which you are registered with the government), a professional hacker can sometimes find out other, more important information about you.
   • It is also best not to use your date or year of birth. And never use your full date of birth, as in "JanSmit112483".
   • Instead, use a number that allows you to reveal less about yourself but still has a lot of meaning to you, such as your age when you got your first kiss, the end time of your first marathon, or your grandma's and grandma's house number.
5. For example, never use your e-mail address as a username elsewhere. For example, if your email address is "[email protected]", do not use "SterkeSteven429" as a username for gaming or internet banking, or any other website. Make sure your email address is unique and does not appear in any other username.
   • This is another easy way to make things a bit trickier for any hackers.

Method 3 of 3: Automatically create a username

1. Try different username generators and see which one you like best. There are many different websites where you can find username generators. Popular options include Jimpix, BestRandoms, and Screen Name Creator, just to name a few. Try several and compare the results!
   • Below you can read exactly how a commonly used username generator, SpinXO, works. On this website you can enter a number of different words and properties to get a unique username. The website then checks for you exactly how unique the username you have chosen is.
   • Important: We do not specifically recommend SpinXO here. It's just a typical example of the way most username generators work.
2. To create possible usernames, answer some questions about yourself. Fill in one or more of the following fields at the top of the SpinXO page:
   • Name or nickname - Your first name or a nickname that you often use.
   • What kind of person are you? - Describe yourself here with a word or phrase.
   • Hobbies? - Describe your favorite hobby here in one or two words.
   • Things you love - Name one or more things that you like, like or enjoy.
   • Important words? - Enter one or two words here that you find fun or interesting.
   • Numbers? - Enter one or two of your favorite numbers here.
3. click on SPIN!. To do this, click on the orange button to the right of the text fields. You will then be presented with a list of thirty possible usernames, based on the information you entered.
4. View the list of possible usernames. Check whether there is a suitable username between the results below the text fields.
   • If there is nothing that you like, you can see other options by pressing again SPIN! to click.
5. Choose a username from the list. Click on the username you want to use. This will open the page where Spin XO checks whether the username in question is still available on the most used social media platforms.
   • Currently, the program analyzes the availability of usernames on the following platforms: Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Tumblr, Blogger, PSN, Reddit and .com domains.
   • It may be that other username generator websites use different platforms, so try some of those too.
6. Check if your username is still available. Review the "Username Availability" section. If you see "Available" to the right of the list of platforms, it means you have found a unique name!
   • If you want to change your username and have another look, you can do so by changing or adding something to your username in the text field at the top of the page, then clicking "Check" below the text field.

Tips

• Try to come up with a username that is unique, but at the same time simple and easy to remember.
• Numbers at the end can make your username more technically unique, but don't do this if you want others to be able to remember your username without too much trouble.