Username Generator

Stuck for a handle? This combines random words from a list of short, common ones into usernames in several styles (TwoWords, two_words, two.words and so on), with an optional number at the end. The results are easy to read and type.

How to use it

1. Choose a style.
2. Set how many usernames you want.
3. Tick the number option if you like.
4. Press Generate usernames.

When it helps

• Picking a name for a new account.
• Naming game characters.
• Getting handle ideas for a project.
• Creating test accounts.

Good to know

• Check the name is free on the site you're using.
• Avoid including personal details such as your birth year.
• Generate a few batches and mix the parts you like.

How names are put together

The generator draws two words at random from a list of about 1,200 short common words, then joins them in the style you chose: capitalised together, lower-case, underscored or with a dot. Words under four letters are skipped, since short words make weak, hard-to-read names.

An optional number from 10 to 999 is added to reduce the chance of a name already being taken. With roughly 1.2 thousand words, there are well over a million different pairs even before numbers.

Worked example: a gaming handle

Choose the TwoWords style, ask for ten, and you might see names such as SilverAnchor, MapleRocket or QuietHarbor. Pick one you like, and if it's taken, add a number or try the lower-case style. Handles built from two ordinary words are easier to remember than random strings.

For professional use, avoid jokes and numbers, and prefer something you'd be happy to see on a business card.

Choosing a good username

Good usernames are short, easy to say aloud, and don't reveal personal details such as your birth date or hometown. Consistency helps: using the same handle across platforms makes you easier to find.

Avoid names that could be mistaken for others, and avoid anything you might regret later. If you plan to build a brand, check trademarks and domain names as well.

Privacy and username safety

Usernames are public and long-lived, so avoid anything that reveals your real name, address, school or birth year. Use a different username from your email address so the two can't easily be linked.

If you use the same handle everywhere, anyone can find your accounts across sites. Some people prefer that for a brand, and others prefer different handles for different parts of their life.

Making a name your own

Take a generated name as a starting point. Swap one word for something personal, such as a hobby or a favourite place, and you get a name that is unique to you and still memorable.

Reserving your handle

If you find a name you like, register it quickly on the platforms you use, even if you aren't ready to post. Good handles go fast.

Questions