# How do I change my user name? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [May 31, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693 "2003-05-31T02:09:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![irishbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishbird)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/1 "2003-05-31T02:09:24Z")
I’ve had 2 requests from someone whose name is very similar to mine to change my username and although I’ve tried to access FAQ I can’t because each time it “times out” so how else can I do it? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/2 "2003-05-31T02:11:22Z")
I _believe_ you have to either get a new one and have a mod delete the old one, or at least have a mod change it. Either way you’ll get a better answer in ATMB. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/3 "2003-05-31T02:13:53Z")
Well, IMO, no one should be asking you to change your name. You picked it out, presumably for a reason, and if it’s similar to someone else’s, that’s too bad if they don’t like it. That said, if you _do_ want to change it, email **TubaDiva** and she’ll take care of it for you. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/4 "2003-05-31T02:16:20Z")
Email an Administrator (_not_ a Moderator) to request a name change. ---
**Author:** ![irishbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishbird)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/5 "2003-05-31T02:19:42Z")
Thanks Q.E.D. Good sig! lol! ---
**Author:** ![irishbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishbird)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/6 "2003-05-31T02:21:24Z")
Actually, thanks also to Ringo (Ringo? lol) and Joey P 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/7 "2003-05-31T02:41:52Z")
As **Ringo** pointed out, administrators can change names; we mere moderators cannot. I agree with **Q.E.D.** , it should be your decision, but if you should decide to change it, you can email TubaDiva at AOL dot com and she can take care of it. As a courtesy, you should put your former UserName in your sig for a little while. Just to be clear, do NOT reregister with a new name. That is against our rules. Since this is a question About This Message Board, I’ll move it to ATMB for you. Off to ATMB. **DrMatrix** - GQ Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Caught\_Work](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/919ad9/32.png) [@Caught\_Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caught_Work)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2003, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-change-my-user-name/178693/8 "2003-05-31T10:39:02Z")
Ya know ever since **Mangetout** was successful with his attempt at getting someone to change to **Atomic Badger Racing** he’s really dropped the ball on the hard core **Chicken of Bristol** attempts. **irishbird** on behalf of **Mangetout** (who I’m sure will be along soon), please consider changing your name to **Chicken of Bristol** and make his week.