# Have you ever changed your doper name? Would you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 17, 2004, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312 "2004-11-17T18:37:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![smartini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@smartini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartini)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/1 "2004-11-17T18:37:30Z")
I know there have been _similar_ threads about name changes, but I am asking for some specific advice, so bear with me. I am thinking about changing my doper name. I understand that is a one-time thing unless there are extenuating circumstances so I find myself in this strange fog of indecision. So, I am asking you to share your experience or opinion by answering any, or all, of these questions. \*Have you ever changed your doper name? What was it before, if you care to share? \* _Why did you change your doper name?_ _Are you glad you changed it? Or do you wish you had left it as it was?_ _If you haven’t changed your name, have you considered it? Why?_ _Is this really a hard decision to make? Or do I need to get a life?_ Thanks in advance for any comments! ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/2 "2004-11-17T18:55:55Z")
This is a bit off topic, but has there been a thread on how/why people chose their doper names? I’m just curious about how people came up with their names. Some of them are quite amusing/unusual and it’d be fun to know what made someone chose a name. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/3 "2004-11-17T19:06:29Z")
I wouldn’t. People are in and out here, many will miss the message and it’s difficult for others to keep up unless the change is very slight, like changing **Gazelle from Hell** to **Gazelle**. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/4 "2004-11-17T19:10:21Z")
I changed from twickster47 to twickster – but that’s the sort of minor change **lieu** refers to – a veritable rhinoplasty of a change. **taxi78cab** – there are fairly regular threads on this, one within the last month or two. Perhaps someone nicer than I will search and provide a link. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/5 "2004-11-17T19:24:46Z")
My name was **FireUnderpantsBoobs**. Maybe you’d heard of it? It seems no one on this board has! Actually, that’s why I changed it. _Everyone_ recognized it, and it always got mentioned in “What’s your favorite username?” threads. But I didn’t think anyone knew me based on my personality. I wanted to make a name for myself through what I said, not what I called myself. I’m not too happy with **AwSnappity** now. It annoys me, actually. I would like to change it again, but I completely understand the confusion that stems from name changes. So **AwSnappity** I remain. Think very carefully before you change it so that you don’t end up with a name you grow to despise. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/6 "2004-11-17T19:38:12Z")
I don’t really see the point unless your name is unbearable (maybe something horribly leet like “xtremefreak612”). It really confuses people and dilutes your online identity. And I don’t think it matters all that much: online names give a brief initial impression but then the content of your posts take over. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/7 "2004-11-17T19:44:22Z")
I changed my username not too long ago because I had been using my real name since our AOL days. I wanted something more creative. > [@AwSnappity](#): > > My name was **FireUnderpantsBoobs**. Maybe you’d heard of it? It seems no one on this board has! Aha! I was wondering what happened to you. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/8 "2004-11-17T19:47:31Z")
I should change mine because it’s no longer accurate (it means “red-haired” and I am now a brunette). But **Twisty** won’t let me, he says I’ve been using this name too long. I’m too lazy to think up a new one anyway. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/9 "2004-11-17T19:50:07Z")
I changed my userid. I used to be JuanitaTech. I changed it because I didn’t want to use my first name anymore. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/10 "2004-11-17T19:53:00Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > My name was **FireUnderpantsBoobs**. Wow! I’d wondered what happened to you. As **tremorviolet** points out: “online names give a brief initial impression but then the content of your posts take over.” This is so true. A name might raise your initial visibility but intelligence, compassion and life experiences are easily communicated here. **Dumb As A Small Pebble** , given consistent insightful commentary will soon be known for that and that alone. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/11 "2004-11-17T20:02:51Z")
I want to change my name. I’m going to request a name change. As soon as I think up one I like! ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/12 "2004-11-17T20:07:24Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > I changed my userid. I used to be JuanitaTech. I changed it because I didn’t want to use my first name anymore. Ahhh! I didn’t know that. Now my mind is slightly more at ease. Not _that_ much more–don’t get too flattered. ---
**Author:** ![fruitbat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@fruitbat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fruitbat)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/13 "2004-11-17T20:07:40Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > I changed my userid. I used to be JuanitaTech. I changed it because I didn’t want to use my first name anymore. Well I’ll be damned Juanita. I wondered what happened to you. I also wondered how someone could have 4,000 posts and I didn’t remember seeing them before. I really am not the sharpest tool in the shed. I have thought about changing mine. I am not even sure where it comes from. If I remember correctly it was my AOL screenname back in the day when I cycled through dozens of words before taking the only one that wasn’t already taken. I find it suitably cryptic, but it has no particular meaning. The replacement name would be **buttinski**. I like the new one better, I’m just a bit too apathetic to do anything about it yet. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/14 "2004-11-17T20:12:02Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Aha! I was wondering what happened to you. 🙂 > [@lieu](#): > > Wow! I’d wondered what happened to you. I understand **tremorviolet** ’s point and all, but did you guys remember **FUB** based on the somewhat sexually-evocative username, or did you remember based on what I wrote under that username? I don’t think I was very distinguished as a poster (still don’t think I am), yet you guys remember me. _Everyone_ remembers **FUB**. You’ll have to try pretty hard to convince me that it was due to what I said. ---
**Author:** ![Jayn\_Newell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jayn\_Newell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayn_Newell)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/15 "2004-11-17T20:19:48Z")
I’ve never changed my name, and I likely never will. I’ve been using this ID online for a few years now almost everywhere (with a couple exceptions), and I consider Jayn to be my alter ego, the person I want to be. That might sound a little weird, but anyhow… I’ve briefly considered changing my name at times, but never seriously. This name has really grown on me. Anything else I would quickly grow tired of. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/16 "2004-11-17T20:40:17Z")
Have you ever changed your doper name? What was it before, if you care to share? **NO** Why did you change your doper name? **N/A** Are you glad you changed it? Or do you wish you had left it as it was? **N/A** If you haven’t changed your name, have you considered it? Why? \*\*Yes. \*\* My name has nothing to do with me now. I used to work with scout helicopters. I haven’t been around aviation for a long time but I am too lazy to change my name. Is this really a hard decision to make? Or do I need to get a life? **YES** and **YES** ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/17 "2004-11-17T20:40:52Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > I understand **tremorviolet** ’s point and all, but did you guys remember **FUB** based on the somewhat sexually-evocative username, or did you remember based on what I wrote under that username? Not so much as the what but rather the style; the memorable username was a bonus. ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/18 "2004-11-17T20:52:58Z")
My first choice would’ve been **laina** (nickname for Elaine), but it looks too much like **lamia**. So I started out with **lainaf**. That seemed to confuse everyone, so I changed to **laina\_f** , which still confuses everyone. I even started a thread asking why it was so confusing. Someone ( **torie** I think) said she always thought of me as **lyin’ elf**. Now I want to be **Lyin’ Elf** , but I don’t get another change. Don’t change unless you are changing to a name you love. Otherwise, as soon as you change, you’ll find the name you really want. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/19 "2004-11-17T21:49:23Z")
For what it’s worth, I don’t remember you as **FireUnderpantsBoobs** , **AwSnappity** , but maybe you changed your name before I became a member? So far as the OP goes, this is my one and only Dope name and I will never change it because 1) I love it 2) I am \*\*Aesiron \*\*everywhere except AIM because AOL’s run by stupid bitches that won’t let me have my name back after cancelling my account there and 3) It’s never taken so I can continue to be \*\*Aesiron \*\*everywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312/20 "2004-11-17T23:20:00Z")
I. _Have you ever changed your doper name? What was it before, if you care to share?_ Never changed it…not that I’ve been here for too long. II. _Why did you change your doper name?_ I _didn’t_ change it. Didn’t you see my first response? III. _Are you glad you changed it? Or do you wish you had left it as it was?_ Quit baiting me! IV. _If you haven’t changed your name, have you considered it? Why?_ Not really. I like my name…it’s sorta distinctive, plus it’s an inside joke that nobody knows about. Except me. Makes vanity searches pretty easy, too. V. _Is this really a hard decision to make? Or do I need to get a life?_ I’m sure initially deciding on my name was difficult, but I got over that. Now it’s no big. However, if I _did_ want to change it, I’d agonize over finding a sufficiently spiffy new moniker. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-doper-name-would-you/275312.md?page=2)