# Username vs. Real Name: Doper Etiquette? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 15, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500 "2003-05-15T18:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Escapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Escapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Escapee)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/41 "2003-05-16T05:10:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 100watts \* > \*\*This user name is what I use on most boards. It’s a variation on my real name. So, what most people shorten it to, Watts, is a name I’m used to answering to anyway. Since it’s my last name. > \*\* Did you, by any chance, work in the Radio business in Atlanta? ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/42 "2003-05-16T12:22:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jonathan Chance \* > \*\*I get a lot of that. But it’s not. > > I answer to it, though. I have for almost 20 years. \*\* I’ve been called “Skip” in some form or another for the past 12 years now; so, even though it’s not my real name, I’ll answer to it well enough. And while user names are somewhat silly to say aloud (in a lot of cases), I feel strange using real names. **Baker** will almost always be **Baker** to me–even though her first name is easy to remember. When I started dating **auntie em** I felt strange calling her by her first name. And I still want to refer to her as ' **em** at times. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Wright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Steve\_Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_Wright)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/43 "2003-05-16T13:10:32Z")
I’m another one for whom it’s not a problem … I tend to use screen names initially (after all, it’s how I actually _relate_ to these … people), but move towards real names as I get to know them IRL. Stay with screen name if 1) they don’t give a real name or 2) they have a very definite online “personality” that, well, _registers_ them under the screen name to me. Try to move towards the real name if the screen name is 1) unpronounceable or 2) too silly. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/44 "2003-05-16T14:46:07Z")
I’d probably refer to myself by my screen name - well by “Missy” - now that I’m married, my real name is like something outta “Petticoat Junction” and causes me NO END of embarassment. As does my husband at times. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/45 "2003-05-16T15:17:31Z")
Your name is “Uncle Joe?” ---
**Author:** ![Avarie537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/46 "2003-05-16T15:19:18Z")
Screen name first, the real names for me. It’s easy and with a small group (such as us IndyDopers), imparts familiarity fairly quickly. Although I must admit, I don’t remember **Munch** ’s or **AskNott** ’s. “Munchy Honey” is way more fun to say anyway!! And **Howard Juneau** is cool enough to stand on it’s own. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/47 "2003-05-16T15:39:46Z")
I have a novel approach. those I know well enough, I call them by their real names when addressing them, but their Screennames when referring to them in conversation with other people. Me, I’m pretty much Twisty to everyone 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sengkelat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Sengkelat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sengkelat)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/48 "2003-05-16T15:56:40Z")
I’ve been meeting folks under various user names for years now. (No, not from this board) I like being referred to by user name, and like using user names; it’s fun. But I’d always give my real name in person if asked. It’s always disappointing when you meet someone from online and they say “Hi, my name’s Bob.” It’s as if they want to distance themselves from their online personality. No fun whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/49 "2003-05-16T16:17:01Z")
I’ll usually introduce myself by screenname (or just TP, since as many people know me by that shortened form as they do by TruePisces) and then give my real name. I’ll answer to either. When talking to or about other Dopers, I change out screennames and real names fairly interchangably. However, I’ve noticed that the real names seem to become more common the more I interact with them off the boards. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/50 "2003-05-16T16:23:53Z")
Everyone calls me Ginger or Gingy. No, it’s not my name, and nobody can seem to remember my name. Weirddave is always weird, and always Dave. I call him Dave. ---
**Author:** ![hardygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a3d4f5/32.png) [@hardygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hardygrrl)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/51 "2003-05-16T16:40:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TwistofFate \* > \*\* > > Me, I’m pretty much Twisty to everyone 🙂 \*\* I call you by your given name: Hellwig’s Fan. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/52 "2003-05-16T16:41:51Z")
My friends (both of them?) call me Bruce Daddy irl. However, a witty few have changed it to B. Diddy. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/53 "2003-05-16T16:53:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ringo \* > Well, you’re **Balance** to me; but I’ll see if I can remember to call you John the next time I see you pal. > > Not likely. Don’t sweat it. I _like_ being **Balance**. (And I can’t remember your IRL name either…) ---
**Author:** ![badmana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/54 "2003-05-16T17:09:42Z")
From my IRC days and video conferencing internet chats, people have just shortened my handle to Mana. I’ll respond to my RL name or my nick but since my RL name (mike) is so damn common simplying asking for mike isn’t very helpful. Just call me mana, bad mana. ---
**Author:** ![Capcha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Capcha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capcha)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/55 "2003-05-16T18:04:09Z")
lol now it would be hilarous if i could find someone to call my by my username in real life… I’ve always been called by my full 5 letters name. Although lately, some friends found a way to shorten it to 1. hehehe or should i stick to the jabka (Polish for little girl-frog) that my mother used on me when i was very young?? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/56 "2003-05-16T20:04:58Z")
Too many damn Johns in this world (except when you really need one). I answer to “Nurse” more than “Carmen” or “NurseCarmen”. My nickname in College was “Padre”, so if you throw that in, I’ll be thouroughly confused. ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2003, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/57 "2003-05-16T23:32:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ellen Cherry \* > How do you pronounce **dwyr**? I think we said “DWY-er” …like “Dryer” with a lisp. It’s her cat’s name! 🙂 > > **av8rmike** I always remember your sig! LOL Well, I read the name in a book and it’s a Welsh word so I have no earthly idea how it’s actually pronounced. But I say it, as Rue put it, like Elmer Fudd would say dryer. And like Ellen said. I like using it because it’s distinctive, unlike my real name. And see? People talk about me this way! 🙂 As for using others screen names, I’m really bad at names and it’s taken me a couple of years just to remember the pseudonyms. I’d never get anyone right if I tried it with their real names. ---
**Author:** ![thatDDperson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9de0a6/32.png) [@thatDDperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thatDDperson)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/58 "2003-05-17T00:19:11Z")
SN and IRL name close enough…and I answer to “Evil Beeyotch” mosta the time… Dee Dee ---
**Author:** ![Lux\_Fiat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lux\_Fiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lux_Fiat)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/59 "2003-05-17T02:50:25Z")
I introduce myself by my SN, then my real name, and then everyone calls me “Lux” or “Luxie” for the rest of the night. Sometimes I find it odd to be answering so reflexively to a name that doesn’t appear on my birth certificate, but most of the time I don’t even think about it (see relevant adverb in first clause). For other dopers, I think I remember like 5 or 6 real names of those I’ve met. Everyone else gets the screenname. ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2003, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500/60 "2003-05-17T02:59:56Z")
Most everyone calls me Andy at dopefests. Can’t imagine why… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/username-vs-real-name-doper-etiquette/175500.md?page=4)