# How can I find out someone's name via their AOL e-mail address? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 15, 2000, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775 "2000-12-15T18:03:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/1 "2000-12-15T18:03:42Z")
I received an e-mail from someone on AOL (I think they might be related to me, but I’m not sure). Now, it’s been a while since I used AOL, but I seem to remember they listed personal profiles. I can’t seem to find them on the AOL site, though. How do I go about finding out a person’s name if I know their AOL e-mail address? (Short of e-mailing that person) ---
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/2 "2000-12-15T18:14:39Z")
If you are using AOL, use keyword ‘Profile’, and type in their screen name(E-Mail address). Their name will only be in there if they put it there. I am pretty sure AOL does not allow non-AOL subscribers access to profiles. ---
**Author:** ![tshirts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@tshirts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tshirts)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/3 "2000-12-15T19:30:09Z")
This is a favorite trick that they use to make you open letters. It’s really funny in my case because I get stuff from “Sally \_\_\_\_” where \_\_\_\_ is my COMPANY name, with the subject “I thought you should see this”. Kind of gives away that they made up the name. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/4 "2000-12-15T20:11:20Z")
No, it’s more complicated than that. We got e-mail from a reader here at my magazine, and the reader’s last name (at least, I assume it’s his/her last name–the address is [ga\_\_\_\_@aol.com](mailto:ga ____ @aol.com), where that blank is my own last name). The reader also indicated that he/she lives in Seattle, WA-- where almost all of my family lives. That, coupled with the fact that I rarely encounter my last name spelled in the way that it appeared in this e-mail address, piqued my curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Prez2032](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58f4c7/32.png) [@Prez2032](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prez2032)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2000, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/5 "2000-12-15T22:17:19Z")
It sounds like you know their email address. I think the easiest way to find out would be to simply email them back and ask them. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2000, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/6 "2000-12-16T00:39:07Z")
“It sounds like you know their email address. I think the easiest way to find out would be to simply email them back and ask them” heh. Why didn’t they think of that? It’s probably cause its some girl they met in a chat room & want to know who it is. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/7 "2000-12-18T15:34:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*“It sounds like you know their email address. I think the easiest way to find out would be to simply > email them back and ask them” > > heh. Why didn’t they think of that?\*\* Ummm…actually, I did think of that. It’s mentioned in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2000, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-i-find-out-someones-name-via-their-aol-e-mail-address/45775/8 "2000-12-18T16:15:05Z")
You can always try going through another search engine. If it’s a legitimate name, and not some spam, there’s a chance that it’s listed somewhere else as well. There have been many a real name I’ve looked up on ICQ by searching for their e-mail address.