Wikipedia:Changing username

"WP:RENAME" redirects here. For renaming an article, seeWikipedia:Moving a page.

"WP:CHU" redirects here. For the CheckUser utility, seeWikipedia:CheckUser.

Before requesting ausername change(rename), please read through the§ Must readsection to know the limitations and alternatives.

If the username change is simple and you have a confirmed email address, useGlobal user account rename request.For other cases, use the appropriate request page listedbelow.

Usernames are global,and are the same on all Wikimedia projects―Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, etc. Requests to change a username are processed by users enabled to do so (global renamersandstewards) in accordance with theglobal rename policy.

Requests for usernames which are offensive, promotional, disruptive, misleading, or confusing are not accepted.

Must read

• A rename moves your contributions and userspace pages to a new name, and preserves your account preferences.
• If thejob queueis very busy, it might take a number of hours before the software re-assigns all your contributions to your new name.
• Using yourreal nameas a username may put you at risk ofharassment.

Limitations and restrictions

• Accounts cannot be merged or deleted. They can only be renamed.
• It is not possible to re-assign edits identified with anIP address(made while not logged in).
• Usernames are subject totechnical restrictions.
• Existing signatures and mentions of the old username in discussions are not affected by a rename.
• Renames appear in theuser rename logandglobal rename logand requests are moved to thearchives.This is done in the interest of transparency.

Please consider the following alternatives to a rename

• Although your username cannot begin with a lowercase letter, try placing{{lowercase}}on your userpage in order to display it that way.
• If you simply want to change your "public appearance" on talk pages, you can change yoursignature.Note that this is not an acceptable alternative to changing your username if the name is in breach of theusername policy.
• If you want to retire from Wikipedia, place{{retired}}or a similar declaration on your userpage. A request for a rename to something likeRetiredUser123will be declined. Users in good standingwishing to vanish completely,perhaps by way of a rename to a random character string, are an exception to this rule.

Other things to consider

• Recreation of previously used usernames isprevented by the anti-spoof checkto prevent impersonation. Users can request to register old names atWikipedia:Request an account.
• You may wish to inform others of previous username(s) via a simple statement on your user page, or use of{{user changed username}}.
• If you have customised yoursignatureyou will need to alter it to use your new username, otherwise it will remain linked to your old user pages.

Request pages

If you are certain you want to change your username, use the appropriate request page to avoid any delay or rejection.

• Simple renames (confirmed email address required):use theGlobal user account rename request form.

  Note: to confirm an email address, seeWikipedia:Enabling emailandHelp:Email confirmation.

• Simple renames (no confirmed email address required):use theSimple account rename request page.

  This page is for renames to usernames that arenot already taken.Check theglobal account information pageto see whether the username you want is available. If it is already taken on any Wikimedia project, it is not available for use.

• Renames to taken usernames (with no significant activity):use theUsername usurpation request page.

  This page is for renames to usernames that arealready takenandhave no significant editsorlog actionsand for which there areno significant attached accounts on other Wikimediaprojects.

• Renames to taken usernames (with significant project attachments):use theSteward requests page.

  This page is for usernames that haveno significant editsorlog actions,but have significant attachments on other Wikimedia projects.