# Should I change my username? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 22, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794 "2012-11-22T02:45:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/41 "2012-11-22T16:52:56Z")
It sounds like this could be more of a psychological ‘‘turning over a new leaf’’ (heh) move on your part, and in that case, I think you should go for it. Your life is changing. Perhaps your new name will be symbolic of the fact that you are starting over again. Maybe this could be an opportunity to leaf all that baggage behind you. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/42 "2012-11-22T16:56:00Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > But don’t call him Shirley, just to be safe. > > ETA: These Shirley jokes work better when spoken. 🙂 My experience with the Shirley surely joke involved a Canadian man named Leslie. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Michael63129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3da27b/32.png) [@Michael63129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael63129)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/43 "2012-11-22T17:45:42Z")
I never knew what your name meant either until now; like others, I assumed it was the name of some character or person (maybe even your name) and read it like “Le-fan”. Of course, if I had Googled it, as I sometimes do with unusual names, the second result is the (not so flattering) definition of “leaf fan” per Urban Dictionary. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/44 "2012-11-22T17:51:55Z")
I read it as Lee-fun. I was surprised to find out it’s not your real name. Are other dopers using made up user names too? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/45 "2012-11-22T17:58:48Z")
Well, I immediately identified it as as (Toronto Maple) Leaf Fan. Hope that makes you feel better. I don’t think you should feel pressure to keep it if you’re not feeling it anymore. But please, (can we develop a new protocol perhaps?), can you at least list it as, “ **Newername** , (once Leaffan)” for a good 6-8mnths. Then drop the bracketed part. Cause otherwise it just confuses everybody for a really long time! ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/46 "2012-11-22T17:59:39Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Until reading the OP I had no idea your name had anything to do with hockey. Never crossed my mind. Never read it as Leaf Fan, either. I always figured it was some character name from one of those mythological book series that seem so popular around here, so I wouldn’t worry about giving people the wrong impression. We’re obviously all clueless anyhow! Exactly this. I even commented on this the other day in another thread when I realised from context that it was “Leaf fan”. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/47 "2012-11-22T18:11:18Z")
I say keep it. It’s just a name, no big deal. I did guess you are a Leafs fan, but the name has enough obscurity that it’s not so obvious. I do find it interesting that you (1) put it to a vote, and (2) will abide by the results. Signed, e7t, a Sharks fan ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/48 "2012-11-22T21:54:33Z")
I opined “No”, though it’s fine with me if you want to change it. I figured you were a tree-hugging nature type like me. If I’d have known it was a sports reference I probably wouldn’t have a vague pleasant association with your name. ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/49 "2012-11-22T22:29:10Z")
Count me as another one that didn’t have a clue about any hockey team - I always read it as Lee-Affan. ---
**Author:** ![Heckity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a5b964/32.png) [@Heckity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heckity)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/50 "2012-11-22T22:34:49Z")
As someone sitting on season’s tickets for the Leafs - I always feel better that you too are a fan - even when the fans are the last element considered in these situations. Stay Leaffan - ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/51 "2012-11-22T23:33:29Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > No one has any idea what it comes from anyway. I remember! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/52 "2012-11-22T23:58:06Z")
I knew it was a hockey reference! _go me_ I say keep it. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/53 "2012-11-23T00:25:10Z")
Y’all have made me feel like less of a dumb ass. First I kind of felt a little silly for not realizing that Leaffan spells Leaf fan. I’d been reading it as LEE-aff-an all this time. I don’t care either way if you change your name, but if you do, there’s no way I’m going to remember it right away. What’ll happen is I’ll suddenly notice some new guy, Chewbacca or whoever, then I’ll somehow come across a post that reminds me that Chewy is you, and I’ll be like, “Oh, that’s him?!” It doesn’t matter if you announce your new name here and in a separate ATMB thread. I’m going to forget it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/54 "2012-11-23T01:05:59Z")
I always thought you really, _really_ liked Autumn. Bag the tag, Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/55 "2012-11-23T01:17:58Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > When I first signed up here the National Hockey League labour dispute of 2004/2005 had just ended, and after a year of no hockey it was back on schedule again. The first thing that popped into my mind was my excitement to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play some hockey once again, and thus my username was picked hastily without much thought. > > Now, my excitement has been dampened by the Leafs shitty performances since the last lockout, and as most of you know, the NHL has been locked out again for the beginning of this hockey season too. > > I really don’t want to continue to be associated with a mediocre hockey team in a problematic league, but I probably have some member awareness here, and starting again with a new moniker might confuse people, or I might otherwise get ignored as a newbie. > > What would you do? What should I do? > > Oh, and given my recent life situation (impending divorce), I guess I am thinking of re-branding myself. Yes. You should become **Starrbooty** ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/56 "2012-11-23T01:46:56Z")
I hate it when people change usernames. ---
**Author:** ![fisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/57 "2012-11-23T02:20:00Z")
‘Turnover a new Leaffan’ ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/58 "2012-11-23T02:36:56Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Y’all have made me feel like less of a dumb ass. First I kind of felt a little silly for not realizing that Leaffan spells Leaf fan. I’d been reading it as LEE-aff-an all this time. > > I don’t care either way if you change your name, but if you do, there’s no way I’m going to remember it right away. What’ll happen is I’ll suddenly notice some new guy, Chewbacca or whoever, then I’ll somehow come across a post that reminds me that Chewy is you, and I’ll be like, “Oh, that’s him?!” It doesn’t matter if you announce your new name here and in a separate ATMB thread. I’m going to forget it. Sniff. I didn’t know you cared. Oh wait, you don’t. 😉 Thanks for the input. Your username is legendary. (And so are you.) ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/59 "2012-11-23T02:49:36Z")
I knew it was a hockey reference and, as a Habs fan, I commiserate. The name is a good one though, and it can be read as a fan of autumn, so why change? ---
**Author:** ![manila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794/60 "2012-11-23T04:37:28Z")
I have recently become reacquainted with the wonderful word Cuniculous. Now if I can think of a suitable accompanying noun I would suggest Cuniculous Rainbow or Cuniculous Dreams. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-change-my-username/641794.md?page=4)