# Why are some usernames gray? **URL:** \ **Category:** Site Feedback\ **Created:** [February 17, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173 "2021-02-17T21:24:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173/1 "2021-02-17T21:24:45Z")
I’ve noticed a few users (usually new ones? But that may be confirmation bias) who have a gray username instead of the default black font. What does this mean, exactly? ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173/2 "2021-02-17T22:26:45Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > I’ve noticed a few users (usually new ones? But that may be confirmation bias) who have a gray username instead of the default black font. What does this mean, exactly? I can’t say I’ve ever noticed this … except for quotes. My quote from your post will show your name greyed. Is that what you mean? If not, can you link to a few examples? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173/3 "2021-02-17T22:30:00Z")
No, I mean their name in the main thread; see the OP here: > [@Cartoons with a director](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cartoons-with-a-director/933044): > > I was watching some cartoons and noticed that there is a “director”. What does a director of cartoons do? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2021, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173/4 "2021-02-17T22:46:41Z")
Could it be a novitiate user who hasn’t yet gotten the right number of points or badges or posts or whatever to ascend to the next Level? ETA: [Discussion of Discourse Trust Levels here.](https://blog.discourse.org/2018/06/understanding-discourse-trust-levels/) ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173/5 "2021-02-18T10:32:48Z")
I noticed the same thing and guessed it was new users at the lowest trust level. Here it mentions that new users with trust level 0 have a lighter grey username: [https://what.thedailywtf.com/topic/11708/user-trust-levels](https://what.thedailywtf.com/topic/11708/user-trust-levels) ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173/6 "2021-02-18T14:37:07Z")
That makes sense, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/codinghorror/32/4242_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-usernames-gray/933173/7 "2021-02-18T22:26:24Z")
Yes, these light grey names indicate new users at trust level 0 – but I suggest referring to the official docs: > **[Understanding Discourse Trust Levels](https://blog.discourse.org/2018/06/understanding-discourse-trust-levels/)** > > The user trust system is a fundamental cornerstone of Discourse. Trust levels are a way of… The first post by a user will be called out in a way that is only visible to higher trust users, as well. Idea being “hey, newbie here, let’s take extra care”. (We also do this for posts from users who have been absent for a long time.)