How to make a good username for social media and gaming
A good username is short, easy to say, safe, and available everywhere you need it. Here’s how to create one.
By the NamesCombiner team · Published · Updated · 5 min read
Five rules for a good username
- Keep it short. Under 15 characters is easier to remember and type.
- Make it sayable. You should be able to tell someone your username without spelling it.
- Avoid personal details. Skip your birth year, school or full surname on anonymous accounts.
- Limit numbers and underscores. “emma_1998_x” is hard to remember.
- Be consistent. Use the same handle across platforms so people can find you.
Formulas that work
| Formula | Example | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| its/the/real + name | itsemma | Instagram, TikTok |
| name + interest | emma.travels | Creators |
| first.last | emma.smith | LinkedIn, email, GitHub |
| adjective + noun | ShadowRonin | Gaming |
| name + noun | EmmaWraith | Gaming, Discord |
Platform limits to know
- Instagram: up to 30 characters; letters, numbers, periods and underscores.
- TikTok: up to 24 characters; letters, numbers, underscores and periods.
- Xbox gamertag: up to 12 characters before any number suffix.
- PlayStation online ID: 3–16 characters; letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores.
Limits change occasionally, so check each platform’s help page if a name is rejected.
Generate ideas
Try the username generator for social and professional handles, the gamertag generator for gaming, and the stylish name combiner for fancy display names.
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