Meredith Shamburger

Usernames serve to purposes: to identify you and to tell the world a little about you. And it’s definitely a good idea to consider how your username will be perceived. I like to think there are five schools of thought concerning usernames:

1. Your Name: Lots of people (myself included) use all or part of their name as a username. BClinton, BillC, BillClinton, etc. It’s a win-win situation, I think. It’s professional. It identifies you. It signals to others that this username is in for the long haul. It also lets them know that you’re not a 13-year-old (or that your parents set the account up for you). I am not a 13-year-old, so this is a plus.
2. Your Hobby/Job: This may be an obscure reference to Dungeons and Dragons or just something you like to do or something that relates to your job. Examples would be: ExPrez9296, AwsmSpkr, ILikeInternsNamedMonica, JazzMaster57, Saxoholic, etc. This is generally more acceptable than #3, and it conveys that you are an interesting person. You’re creative (why stick with a boring username?). Is it professional? Not always. So if you’re going for this username, make sure it’s not your office email.
3. The 13-year-old girl: xOxOBILLOxOx or DoNtChaWaNtMe87 or BiLL <3 mONiCa. It’s unprofessional. It’s annoying. It’s not there for the long haul (I mean let’s face it: who really wants to use these when they’re 30 or 20 or even 16?)
4. Religious: You’re a very religious person. You want to show others just how religious you are. Maybe you’re hoping your username will save a few heathens. Examples include: godluvsualways, N_Christ_Alone, JesusForEVA, etc. They aren’t very professional, and they may be offensive to some others (if it’s really out there). Creative? Yes. Annoying? Sometimes. People who have religious usernames tend to be people who forward you chain mail. The kind that if you don’t forward it, you’re not a good Christian or José will die in that hospital or you’re not a good friend or you have no friends. The kind of chain mail you might actually consider forwarding because it’s guilted you so much. But then you come to your senses and realize it’s CHAIN MAIL and you promptly delete it because you are not that person, you will never be that person, and you hate that person. (In case you’re wondering, yes, I do look down upon you if you send me chain mail)
5. Narcissistic/Just Plain Stupid: You may be a 35-year-old man or a 13-year-old girl. But you just HAVE to let the world wide web know that you are *it*. Just because the rest of the world can’t meet you doesn’t mean they can’t learn this fact anyways. Hottie98 and DontHateMeCauseYouAintMe, this is for you. It’s unprofessional. It may be rude. It’s not creative. It’s a little delusional. There’s no such word as “aint.” Maybe you’re thinking these usernames convey a sense of self-confidence. They don’t. And most of the time, I’m betting you’re not even “hottt.” My advice? Stay away. DO NOT use this as your username. Why? Because most of the time, they’re kind of funny, and I will make fun of you. Especially if I know you.

Safe bet when choosing a username: No. 1.

Acceptable usernames: No. 2 and 4

Avoid at all costs: No. 3 and 5