# Do user names expire? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [January 17, 2001, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485 "2001-01-17T07:34:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2001, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/1 "2001-01-17T07:34:52Z")
Are registered user names ever deleted after long periods of inactivity? I was just wondering what happens to the names chosen by people who register, post once or twice, then lose interest and never come back. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2001, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/2 "2001-01-17T08:29:53Z")
So far, no, we haven’t done so. I don’t know if we ever will, either. ---
**Author:** ![Show\_Biz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@Show\_Biz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Show_Biz)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2001, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/3 "2001-01-18T21:17:59Z")
Actually, **Lynn** has forgotton about the great UBB to vBulletin software switch, the talk of the forum when I signed up, first week of May 2000. A lot of names became converted to “guest”, and people had to re-apply to get their names back. Some never did, so those are “available” to those newbies who coincidentally pick the same name. Not apt to happen unless it’s of the generic Joe B variety. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2001, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/4 "2001-01-19T00:58:33Z")
Oh, yeah, I’d forgotten about those. I’d wondered what the “guest” classification meant. Now I know. Thank you. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2001, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/5 "2001-01-20T03:06:37Z")
The “guest” designation just applies to the posts, not the members. The memebrship database was transfered over entire, and if a few folks had to re-register, that was a fluke. Think about it: We’ve still got folks with 1999 (or earlier) registration dates. ---
**Author:** ![one\_last\_glass\_dear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19b73/32.png) [@one\_last\_glass\_dear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/one_last_glass_dear)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2001, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/6 "2001-01-20T05:07:26Z")
Help! How do I change my name? ---
**Author:** ![tshirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2001, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/7 "2001-01-20T06:38:32Z")
You can do this yourself. Get the book from the library: > [@](#): > > Title **How to change your name** > Imprint : Nolo Press, 1998- > Descript v. : ill., forms ; 28 cm > Pub date 7th ed. (1998- ) > Note Kept up to date between editions by revised printings > Vols. for 1998- by David Ventura Loeb & David W. Brown > Continues How to change your name > (OCoLC)11716052 > Subject Names, Personal – Law and legislation – > Alt author Loeb, David V > Brown, David Wayne, 1949- > Irving, Shae **Most important** - don’t forget to rehearse your witness. The must state they’ve known you a full year. You don’t want them trying to calculate the date while they are on the stand. – And after you do that, you’ll want to email **TubaDiva** or **Lynn Bodoni** , who can change your username to match 😉 ---
**Author:** ![one\_last\_glass\_dear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19b73/32.png) [@one\_last\_glass\_dear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/one_last_glass_dear)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2001, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/8 "2001-01-21T00:51:24Z")
Thanks a lot for the help. You’ve got quite a sense of humor. I guess we’ll just never mind about the USER name change, then. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecccb3/32.png) [@Lord\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2001, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-user-names-expire/50485/9 "2001-01-21T04:04:44Z")
**lacklustery** , I think a little bit of **tshirts** humor must have slipped over your head. It’s as simple as an email to [**TubaDivaDarlin**](mailto:tubadiva@aol.com) or [**LovelyLynnBodoni**](mailto:lynnbodoni@hotmail.com) and tell them what you want to do. They are the sweetest people you’ll find and will be happy to take care of your problem. Jim