The Best Online Dating Username Tips and Advice

In December 2017, OkCupid announced a rather controversial change, deciding to delete all usernames in favor of a system that displays the actual first name of its users to one another. The reasoning they gave is that old usernames such as “BigDaddyFlash916” are convoluted and your potential partners might find it hard to remember. Not surprisingly, the people on OkCupid revolted against the idea, swarming the blog post with rightful criticism.

But it’s not an easy problem to overcome, so it’s worth taking some time to look at the pros and cons of usernames. And if you’re using a dating site that prefers usernames, there are some important strategies to know to help you stand out from an oversaturated dating crowd with just your self-created nickname.

Real names vs usernames

Usernames on dating sites are a bastion of privacy. The first rule of online dating is to avoid giving away private information about yourself. Handing over your real name (especially if it’s accompanied by your last name) is a big no-no. Scammers, sex offenders and unsavory people can use only this info to track you down and make your life miserable. And even if the date goes alright, choosing not to advance the relationship further – even if perhaps it’s just because there’s no real chemistry – may even prompt the ex-partner to start harassing you. Trust us: only share your real name with dates who are proven to be trustworthy.

But on the other hand, nicknames can also help these sorts of malicious individuals to fester on dating sites. Even if they are reported, there’s nothing stopping them from coming back after creating a new account. Not to mention that without a last name it’s almost impossible to run a public background check on your partner – which is a totally legal and acceptable thing to do, by the way. Still, the ability to protect your own privacy is far more precious and shouldn’t be exchanged for anything.

Coming up with a creative name

Besides privacy, usernames are also an opportunity for personal expression. You are free to create a made-up name with clever wordplay or a self-reflective message that is hidden within it. For example, UnicornPrincess subtly hints to the fact that the user is a very girly individual who likes pampering and horned horses. On the other hand, if your partner is called furry_fan93 then they were probably born in 1993 and has a strong attachment to a certain sub-culture; make sure you are well-versed in Sonic lore, and expect some weird things in the bedroom.

Bear in mind that usernames are just as important as profile pictures. Although the latter plays a vital role in catching someone’s attention, a difficult, cliched or overly complicated alias will be a red flag for your partner. But don’t worry, because the perfect username is a work in progress! It can usually be freely edited in the user options after you’ve registered, so start with something simple and then check out what the community of that particular site has come up with. Collect inspiration and then draft a better one to impress the world.

Tips & tricks for starters

First and foremost, the nickname should reflect your personality, and perhaps your purpose for being on the dating site. If you are looking for a serious relationship, then pick an alias that displays your most attractive traits – such as LoyalKnight, Dogfanatic, or CookingMaster. Those who are only searching for more casual relationships can try something more brazen, like Spanken_heimer. Just make sure the name won’t trigger the dating site’s profanity filter.