Reddit username generator

How the username generator works

1. Choose a style: funny, professional, gaming, anonymous or brandable.
2. Add a keyword (optional): a hobby, a name, a product, a topic you post about.
3. Generate: you get 20 names that fit Reddit's username rules.
4. Check: click check next to any name to look up whether it is already taken on Reddit. Generate again for a fresh batch.

Reddit's username rules

Reddit usernames must be 3 to 20 characters long and can only contain letters, numbers, underscores (_) and hyphens (-). No spaces, periods or other symbols. The generator only suggests names that meet these rules.

Two more things to know before you pick:

• You cannot change it later. Reddit's help center says that once a username is finalized it cannot be changed in any way, including its capitalization. Choose carefully, and decide on capitals now, because the capitalization you pick is what people see on every post.
• Deleted names do not come back. Reddit says usernames cannot be reused: if an account is deleted, nobody can register its name again, and names held by inactive accounts are not released.

You can, however, create more than one account; Reddit's help center says so directly. Just do not use them to vote on each other's content or get around bans. See alt account and throwaway account.

Which style to choose

• Funny: good for hobby and meme subreddits. Make sure you are happy to have it next to a serious question later.
• Professional: if you will answer work questions or represent your expertise, a name that reads like a person (not a brand) gets a fairer hearing.
• Gaming: short, punchy names that also work as in-game handles.
• Anonymous: for accounts you do not want linked to your real identity. Avoid your real name, birth year, city or anything you use elsewhere.
• Brandable: for a company or project account. Reddit's own business program, Reddit Pro, suggests a new username for your business if you already use Reddit personally. Be open that the account represents the brand; Reddit's rules for businesses ask for transparency about which brand you represent.

After you pick a name

A new account starts with no karma, and many subreddits filter posts from new or low-karma accounts. Spend the first weeks commenting helpfully in communities you care about. Our guide on how to get karma on Reddit covers the details, and the karma checker shows where you stand.

If you are setting up an account to market a product, read the self-promotion rules first. Or skip the warm-up: BoomReddit's Autopilot posts from warmed-up accounts with karma and history, so a brand-new account never carries your product mentions.

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for Reddit usernames?

3 to 20 characters, using only letters, numbers, underscores and hyphens. No spaces or other symbols.

Can I change my Reddit username?

No. Reddit says a username cannot be changed in any way once it is finalized, including capitalization. You can create a new account with a different name.

How do I know if a Reddit username is taken?

Click check next to any generated name. It looks up whether an account already uses that name.

Can I get a username from an inactive or deleted account?

No. Reddit says deleted usernames do not become available again, and it does not release names held by inactive accounts.

What is a good Reddit username for a business?

Something clearly tied to the brand, so readers know who is talking. Reddit asks businesses to be transparent about which brand they represent.

Should my Reddit username be anonymous?

Reddit says the vast majority of users choose a name that represents them without revealing who they are. If you want privacy, avoid your real name and any handle you use elsewhere.