View source for Wiki143:Username policy

{{Short description|Wikipedia policy about what kinds of usernames are acceptable}}
{{Redirect2|WP:U|WP:UN|the guidelines on user pages|WP:UP|the United Nations WikiProject|WP:WPUN|the File Upload Wizard|WP:FUW|Userboxes|WP:Userboxes}}
{{Pp-semi|small=yes}}{{pp-move-indef}}{{Policy|WP:U|WP:UN|WP:UPOL|WP:USERNAME}}
{{Nutshell|When choosing an account name, do not choose names which may be offensive, misleading, disruptive, or promotional. The username should represent one person; do not use your organisation's name.}}
{{Notice|'''Report blatant violations''' of the username policy at [[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention]].}}
{{Conduct policy list}}

This policy describes what kinds of '''usernames''' are acceptable on the English Wikipedia and how unacceptable or doubtful usernames can be dealt with. It also specifies that a user account should be used only by one person, and that in most cases one person should use only one account.

You choose your username when [[WP:Why create an account?|creating a user account]]. All contributions made using that account will then be attributed to the chosen username (contributions made while not [[Help:Logging in|logged in]] to any account are attributed to the user's [[IP address]]). It is also possible to request a [[#Changing your username|change of username]], and have your past contributions re-attributed to the new name.

This policy applies to usernames on English Wikipedia. However, in most cases you will be able to use the same username and password to log in to other language Wikipedias and other [[Wikipedia:Wikimedia Foundation|Wikimedia Foundation]] supported projects. See [[Wikipedia:Unified login]].
[[File:Wikipedia User Name.webm|thumb|300px|Introductory clip on usernames]]

== Guidance for new users ==
{{UsernamePolicy}}{{shortcut|WP:NAMEGUIDE}}
Your username is a nickname that will identify your account and thereby all of your contributions to Wikipedia. It can be your real name if you so choose, but you should be aware of [[#Real names|the risks involved]] in editing under your real name before choosing to use or disclose your real name on Wikipedia. Wikipedia usernames are [[case sensitivity|case sensitive]], but the first letter is always automatically capitalized. By default, your username appears in your signature on posts to [[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines|discussion pages]]. For further details on signatures and how to customize them, see [[Wikipedia:Signatures]].

You must keep in mind that, once chosen, a username cannot be easily changed, and changing your username doesn't hide your previous username from all of the edits that you've made while using it (such as the signature of your previous username that you left on any talk pages, messages, discussions, and replies). For example, if "Dr. Franz Schröder" is your real name, and you choose this to be your username, your real name and doctorate will be evident on your edits, on history pages, and (unless you change your signature) on all posts, messages, and replies that you make to talk pages and discussions. '''It is ''highly recommended'' that you read and understand the section on [[WP:Username policy#Real names|using your real name]] as your username before you decide to do so.''' Likewise, reusing a name here which you also use on other sites may be as revealing as using your actual name.

You will be required to specify the username that you'd like to use when you are [[Wikipedia:Why create an account?|creating a new account]], and you will subsequently use it (together with your password) to [[Help:Logging in|log in]] to that account. Once you have an account, you may create a [[WP:user pages|user page]], titled "User:XXXX" (where "XXXX" is your username), to provide relevant information about yourself to other Wikipedians. You or any other editor may also create a [[Wikipedia:Talk page guidelines#User talk pages|user talk page]], titled "User talk:XXXX", that people can use to contact you.

The MediaWiki software will not allow you to register a new account with a username that is already taken by another account, nor will it allow you to register a username that is ''too similar'' to another account. You [[Special:CentralAuth|can check]] whether or not a username is already taken; if the username is not listed when you enter it into the username search, it means that the provided username is not taken. Please note that the page does not return usernames that are too similar; it only returns a match if the exact username you enter is already taken. You may still be able to obtain a username that is too similar to another account under certain circumstances; see {{slink||Similar usernames}} below.

Your username can be virtually any string of characters (subject to a few [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (technical restrictions)#Restrictions on usernames|technical limitations]]). However, it should be a name which other users will be comfortable with and which does not interfere with the project. A controversial name may give a bad impression to other users, and avoiding this is in your own interest. This page describes certain types of usernames that are specifically disallowed, primarily because they can be considered ''offensive'', ''misleading'', or ''promotional'', or imply that the account does ''not belong to an individual''.

{{clear}}

== Inappropriate usernames ==
{{policy shortcut|WP:IU}}
This section lists the types of usernames that are considered inappropriate. The same criteria also apply to [[Wikipedia:Signatures|signatures]].

These lists are not necessarily exhaustive. [[Wikipedia:What "Ignore all rules" means#Use common sense|Use common sense]] in applying these rules; a username containing a word that may seem offensive in one context may have a very different, more benign meaning in another. For guidance on how to deal with inappropriate usernames if encountered, see {{slink||Dealing with inappropriate usernames}} below.

=== Disruptive or offensive usernames<span id="Offensive"></span><span id="OFFENSIVE"></span><span id="Disruptive"></span><span id="DISRUPTIVE"></span> ===
{{policy shortcut|WP:ATTACKNAME|WP:DISRUPTNAME}}
'''The following types of usernames are not permitted, and will be immediately blocked upon discovery''', because they are '''disruptive''' or '''offensive''':
*Usernames that are likely to offend other contributors or cause disruption to productive Wikipedia processes or discussions, or make harmonious editing difficult or impossible to achieve; e.g. by containing profanities, or referencing highly contentious events or controversies.<ref>Note that some valid strings of characters may coincide with profanities or offensive words, like "shit" in [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=Indian+intitle%3A%2F%5B%5E+%5Dshit%2F&title=Special:Search&profile=advanced&fulltext=1&ns0=1 some Indian names] or "porn" in [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=German+intitle%3A%2F%5B%5E+%28%5Dporn%2F+-pornography+-pornographic+-Thai&title=Special:Search&profile=advanced&fulltext=1&ns0=1 some German] [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=Thai+intitle%3A%2F%5B%5E+%28%5Dporn%2F+-pornography+-pornographic&title=Special:Search&profile=advanced&fulltext=1&ns0=1 and Thai] names. When addressing these potential [[Scunthorpe problem]]s, administrators should [[Wikipedia:What "Ignore all rules" means#Use common sense|use common sense]] and [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|assume good faith]]. [[User:AmandaNP/UAA/Blacklist]] notes some common sources of false positives; looking up a username or its components in a search engine may also be helpful.</ref>
*Usernames that are blatantly profane, violent, threatening, or sexually explicit, or that advocate or encourage any such behavior (including acts that are deemed by most societies as either extremely immoral, criminal, or illegal).
*Usernames that deliberately offend, dehumanize, attack, demean, disparage, discriminate, or support or advocate any such behavior toward any race, religion, gender, sexual identity, sexual preference, political affiliation, or social group or status, or imply the intent to do so. Examples include:
**Usernames that contain discriminatory attacks, racial slurs, or pejorative terms
**Usernames that praise highly contentious people, groups (also known as "[[Hate group|hate groups]]"), or events—''future, past, or present''—that currently allocate, have allocated, or plan to allocate efforts or resources toward afflicting direct discriminatory, social, physical, or emotional harm toward those who identify as part of any of these groups.
*Usernames that contain or imply [[Wikipedia:No personal attacks|personal attacks]], or imply the intent to personally attack, [[Wikipedia:Harassment|harass]], or [[Wikipedia:Responding to threats of harm|threaten]] other Wikipedia editors.
*Usernames that appear intended to disrupt legitimate Wikipedia discussions and processes by provoking negative emotional reactions from other editors (also known as "[[Troll (slang)|trolling]]").
*Usernames that show or imply the intent to [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|vandalize]], [[Wikipedia:Disruptive editing|disrupt]], or engage in bad-faith edits or behaviors that are [[Wikipedia:Here to build an encyclopedia#Clearly not being here to build an encyclopedia|clearly not intended to help build, expand, or grow the encyclopedia]] in a positive or collaborative manner.

'''These accounts, upon their discovery, should be immediately blocked by administrators''', and consideration should be given, with appropriate judgment, if the username should be redacted from any logs or edit revisions - especially if they're grossly offensive or destructive in nature, and likely to offend many editors. Note that usernames that are inappropriate in another language, or that represent an inappropriate name with misspellings and substitutions, or do so indirectly or by implication, are still considered inappropriate.

==={{Anchor|BLPABUSE}}Usernames with libelous, contentious, or non-public information===
<!--Don't remove [[Template:Anchor|anchor template]] (or edit the name within their doubled, curly brackets).-->
{{see also|Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons#Remove contentious material|Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons#Usernames}}{{policy shortcut|WP:BLPABUSE}}
'''The following types of usernames are not permitted, and will be immediately blocked upon discovery''', because they '''violate highly important and serious Wikipedia policies''':

* Usernames that contain contentious or disparaging statements about another person (whether they be another editor, a notable [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons|living or recently deceased person]], etc). 
* Usernames that are clearly libelous, contain blatantly false or disparaging statements or accusations about another person, or constitute blatant violations of Wikipedia's policy on the [[Wikipedia:Biographies of living persons|biographies of living people]].
* Usernames that contain any non-public, private, or personally identifiable information about another person,<ref name="libelnote">The username is considered a violation of this policy, and the creation of the account considered an attempt to [[Wikipedia:Harassment#Posting of personal information|disclose non-public or personally identifiable information]] about another person, regardless of the legitimacy of the information shared and whether or not the information was correct.</ref> or contain any other information that would be deemed appropriate for suppression by an [[Wikipedia:Oversight |Oversighter]]; e.g. usernames that state what the password to the account (apparently) is.

'''These accounts, upon their discovery, should be immediately blocked by administrators'''. If such usernames are libelous or contain information that is usually suppressed (such as disclosure of non-public personal identifiable information about another editor, or blatantly libelous statements made about a [[Wikipedia:Notability|notable]] living person), the username should be [[Wikipedia:Oversight|suppressed from all logs by an Oversighter]] to protect Wikipedia and the subjects involved from any kind of negative fallout or harm as a result of the account or username creation. Requests for removing attack usernames from logs should be reported to the [[WP:Stewards|global Stewards]] team for evaluation and private removal from all WMF projects. This can be done either via [[WP:IRC|IRC]] in the {{channel|wikimedia-stewards}} channel or via email to the stewards VRT queue at {{Nospam|stewards|wikimedia.org}}.

=== Misleading usernames ===
{{Anchor|misleading}}
{{policy shortcut|WP:MISLEADNAME}}
'''The following types of usernames are not permitted''' because they may be '''misleading''' in a way that disrupts the project:
*Usernames that impersonate other people (see {{slink||Real names}} and {{slink||Similar usernames}} below).
*Usernames that give the impression that the account has [[WP:User access levels|permissions]] that it does not have; e.g. by containing the terms [[Wikipedia:Administrators|{{!xt|administrator}}]], [[Wikipedia:Bureaucrats|{{!xt|bureaucrat}}]], [[m:Stewards|{{!xt|steward}}]], [[m:CheckUser policy|{{!xt|checkuser}}]], [[m:Hiding revisions|{{!xt|oversight}}]], or similar terms, such as {{!xt|admin}}, {{!xt|sysop}}, or {{!xt|moderator}}.
*Usernames that imply that the account has explicit ownership of certain articles, content, or topic areas, or that they have any kind of "power", "command", "control", or "authority" over other editors, or that a different level of accountability and application of Wikipedia's [[WP:PG|policies and guidelines]] should be enforced (such as implying that certain policies do not apply to them).
*Usernames that could be easily misunderstood to refer to a "bot" (which is used to identify [[Wikipedia:Bot policy|bot accounts]]) or a "script" (which alludes to automated editing processes), unless the account is of that type; such as {{!xt|ABC Bot}}, {{!xt|XYZ script}}.
*Usernames that give the incorrect impression that the account is officially affiliated with the [[Wikimedia Foundation]]; e.g. {{!xt|Foo (WMF)}}, {{!xt|Bar (Wikimedia Foundation)}}
*Usernames that resemble IP addresses (as these are expected to designate non-logged-in users), timestamps, or other names which would be confusing within the Wikipedia [[Wikipedia:Signatures|signature]] format.
*Usernames that appear similar to naming conventions used by community administrative processes, such as those starting with ''Vanished user'' (see [[Wikipedia:Courtesy vanishing]]).

For accounts with usernames that are in this category, you should [[WP:AGF|assume good faith]] in cases where the username could be interpreted ambiguously. For example, a new user whose career is as a sysop might include that in their username, unaware of the policy prohibiting it. An attempt to discuss the username policy and concern with the user, and a request that they change their username should typically be attempted before considering further action. In cases where the violation of policy or the user's intent is clear, or likely created in bad faith, you should exhibit the use of [[WP:USE|common sense]] and  fair and level-headed judgment when determining the appropriate action to take. These clear violations should be reported by following the instructions on [[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention]].

=== Promotional usernames<span id="Company/group names"></span> ===
{{policy shortcut|WP:ORGNAME|WP:CORPNAME|WP:SPAMNAME|WP:PROMONAME}}
{{redirect|WP:ORGNAME|the convention for organization names|Wikipedia:Naming conventions (companies)}}
{{see also|:Category:Wikipedians who are indefinitely blocked for promotional user names}}

'''The following types of usernames are not permitted''' because they are considered '''promotional''':
* Usernames that unambiguously represent the name of a company, organization, website, product, musical group or band, team, club, creative group, or organized event (e.g. {{!xt|TownvilleWidgets}}, {{!xt|MyWidgetsUSA.com}}, {{!xt|TrammelMuseumofArt}}, {{!xt|OctoberfestBandConcert2019}}). However, usernames that ''contain'' such names are sometimes permissible; see {{slink||Usernames implying shared use}} below. (Usernames which represent the subject of a biographical article are not considered promotional; see {{slink||Stage names}})
* [[Email address]]es and [[Uniform Resource Locator|URL]]s to domains or websites (especially if they promote a commercial web page) and don't simply identify a person. Although usernames that only contain ''plain'' domain names ''on their own'' (those that do not include the [[Top-level domain|top-level domain]], such as <code>.com</code>, <code>.net</code>, <code>.co.kr</code>, etc. at the end) are sometimes acceptable (such as when the purpose is simply to identify the user as a person), they are inappropriate if their primary purpose is to advertise, promote, sell, gain support, or increase the attention or user-base audience of any person, company, market, product, channel, website, or other good or service. This includes any kind of websites that function in order to generate any kind of income or revenue for the owner. Examples include Patreon links or links to pages asking for donations, or revenue-generating click-thru links to vendors. All pages that are built or designed in one or more of these manners should be considered a commercial web page, and hence considered inappropriate for a username.

A user who ''both'' adopts a promotional username ''and'' who engages in [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#ADVERTISING|inappropriate advertising or promotional]] edits or behaviors – especially when made to their own user space or to articles about the company, group, or product – can be [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|blocked]] from editing Wikipedia, and are often blocked much sooner than users who engage in only one of the two behaviors. In such cases, administrators should examine the user's edits to decide whether or not to allow them to create a new username. If there is evidence that the user would continue to edit inappropriately under a new username, the blocking administrator should enable the "[[WP:Autoblock|autoblock]]" and "prevent account creation" block settings. Otherwise, the user should be offered the opportunity to create a new account or have their current username changed. Before taking action, any disagreements as to whether a particular username is acceptable or not should be discussed at [[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User names]] ''first''.

=== Usernames implying shared use ===
{{policy shortcut|WP:ISU}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry#Role accounts}}
Because Wikipedia's policy states that user accounts cannot be [[#Shared accounts|shared]] between more than one individual, '''the following types of usernames are not permitted''' because they imply '''shared use''':
*Usernames that unambiguously represent companies or groups are not permitted (these also fall under {{slink||Promotional usernames}} above). For example, {{!xt|ABC Inc}} or {{!xt|XYZ Foundation}} or {{!xt|Foo University}}.
*Personal usernames that imply shared access, such as {{!xt|Jack and Jill}}, are not permitted.
*Usernames that are solely the names of posts, positions, roles, or job titles within organizations, such as {{!xt|Secretary of the XYZ Foundation}}, are not permitted, as such posts or positions may be transferred or held by different persons at different times.
:*However, usernames ''are'' acceptable if they contain a company or group name but are clearly intended to denote an individual person, such as {{xt|Mark at WidgetFactory}}, {{xt|Jack Smith at the XYZ Foundation}}, {{xt|FacebookFanatic87}}, etc.

Remember that [[Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not#ADVERTISING|promotional]] editing is not permitted, regardless of any account's chosen username. The [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest|conflict of interest guideline]] advises all users to exercise caution if editing articles about businesses, organizations, products, or other subjects that they are closely connected to. If you choose to edit articles that are in any way related to your company or group, you will need to carefully follow Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Conflict of interest#Advice for editors who may have a conflict of interest|advice on editing with a conflict of interest]].

=== Non-script usernames ===
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOEMOJI|WP:NONSCRIPT}}
'''The following types of usernames are not permitted''' due to the difficulty with some web browsers in viewing non-language Unicode characters:<ref>Decided after an [[Special:PermanentLink/808918433#RFC about disallowing non-language characters in usernames|2017 RfC]]</ref>
* Usernames that contain [[emoji]].
* Usernames that are considered to be [[emoticon]]s or otherwise "decorative".
* Usernames that use any non-language symbols. This includes:
**Symbols and characters unrelated to the [[list of writing systems]].
**Symbols and characters that are on the block lists at [[Unicode symbols]].

Note that this restriction does '''not''' apply to signatures, which are governed by Wikipedia's policies on the use of [[Wikipedia:Signatures|signatures]].

=== Confusing usernames ===
{{policy shortcut|WP:UNCONF}}
Some usernames appear problematic without fitting clearly into any of the above categories. This is often the case with confusing or extremely lengthy usernames, which are highly discouraged but which are not so inappropriate '''on their own''' as to require action.

Confusing usernames can often be a red flag for other problems. An editor with a confusing username or signature may be blocked sooner than usual for other inappropriate behavior, such as disruption or vandalism, if their confusing username contributes to the disruption.

=== Exceptions ===
Some usernames that appear to be in breach of this policy have been allowed to stand by consensus because they were created before a change in the policy that would now prohibit such names ''(see [[grandfather clause]])''. If you find an apparently problematic username being used by a long-standing editor, it is likely that the matter has been discussed before. Please search that user's talk page (and archives if applicable), ''and'' the archives of the [[Wikipedia:Administrators' noticeboard|administrators' noticeboards]] and [[Wikipedia:Requests for comment/User names|requests for comment on usernames]], before deciding to take action as described [[#Dealing with inappropriate usernames|below]].

== Dealing with inappropriate usernames ==
{{policy shortcut|WP:BADNAME}}
If you encounter an inappropriate username as described [[#Inappropriate usernames|above]], there are various actions you might take. [[Wikipedia:What "Ignore all rules" means#Use common sense|Use common sense]] in making your choice, and avoid [[Wikipedia:Please do not bite the newcomers|"biting" newcomers]].

=== No action necessary ===
If the name is not unambiguously problematic, it may be sensible to ignore it. [[Wikipedia:Assume good faith|Assume good faith]], and also note the [[#Exceptions|exceptions]] in the section on inappropriate usernames. Also, except in extreme cases, it is probably not worth taking action unless the user has made at least one ''recent'' edit.

=== Talk to the user ===
If you see a username that is problematic but was not obviously created in bad faith, politely draw the user's attention to this policy, and try to encourage them to create a new account with a different username. If you want, you can use the {{tls|uw-username}}, {{tls|uw-uall}} or {{tls|uw-coi-username}} template for this.

=== Request for comment ===
If, following an attempt to discuss a problematic username with the user, there is still doubt or disagreement as to whether the name is appropriate, you may open a [[WP:RFC/N|Request for comment on the username]], inviting other users to discuss the issue.

=== Report blatant violations ===
If you believe that a username needs to be immediately blocked and is an obvious violation of policy, you can report it to [[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention|Usernames for administrator attention]]. This page should only be used for clear and egregious username violations that merit an immediate block and without any discussion or warning beforehand.

Do not ''both'' warn a user account or discuss the username and your concerns with a user account, ''and'' file a report against the user account at [[WP:UAA|Usernames for administrator attention]] at the same time. A warning or discussion by another editor should be perceived as an ''invitation'' or an ''encouragement'' for the user to change their username or otherwise resolve the matter at-hand, while filing a report against the account invites a block to be immediately placed and without warning or discussion beforehand. These two actions directly counteract with one another; performing both actions can cause confusion, frustration, and the [[WP:BITE|biting of newcomers]] where [[WP:AGF|the assumption of good faith]] likely should have been the preferred initial response.

===Report other problems===
If the user with a bad username is breaching other policies, such as those against [[WP:SPAM|spam]] or [[WP:VAND|vandalism]], follow up using those policies rather than reporting the username. If the user is editing in a biased or promotional way on a subject they appear to have a connection with, report them at the [[WP:COIN|Conflict of Interest noticeboard]].

=== Usernames for administrator attention guidelines ===
[[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention |Usernames for administrator attention]] (UAA) is a noticeboard for drawing attention to abusive usernames quickly. See [[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention/Instructions]] for information on how to place or resolve UAA reports, including the options that are available to administrators.

Remember that blocking a new user is not actually something we ''want'' to do, it is something we do when it is needed to protect Wikipedia from harm. Generally, editors whose usernames are a technical or borderline violation of the Username policy should be given an opportunity to discuss the username and how they may register a new username. However, users who are reluctant to register a new username and are otherwise showing a positive history of contributions to Wikipedia should be allowed to continue editing in a positive fashion and the matter should be dropped. But this exemption does not apply to editors who have a clearly offensive username, disruptive or vandalizing edits, or edits that show a history of problematic bias or conflict of interest.

== Other particular types of username ==
=== Real names ===
{{Redirect|WP:IMPERSONATE|impersonation regarding signatures|WP:Signature forgery}}
{{policy shortcut|WP:REALNAME|WP:IMPERSONATE}}
'''Minors and children are ''strongly discouraged'' from creating accounts with usernames that are their real names, any nicknames which might be traced to them, or that contain ''any'' personally identifiable information'''. Furthermore, '''''all editors'' {{dash}} regardless of age {{dash}} should take the time to carefully consider the risk and consequences before doing so'''. Usernames with this information ''significantly'' increase the potential for [[Wikipedia:Harassment|harassment]], especially if these accounts edit in controversial subject areas. In some countries, editing Wikipedia [[Censorship of Wikipedia|can be illegal]], and using this information can put you at risk of legal consequences. While it is possible to rename your account later (see [[#Changing your username|Changing your username]] below), a record of your previous username remains permanently.

Do not edit under a name that is likely to imply that you are (or are related to) a specific, identifiable person, unless it is your real name. If you have the same name as a well-known person to whom you are unrelated, and are using your real name, you should state clearly on your [[WP:userpage|userpage]] that you are unrelated to the well-known person.

If a username implies that the user is, or is related to, a [[WP:N|notable]], identifiable or well-known person, the account may be [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|blocked]] as a precaution against impersonation until the user's proof of identity is provided.

If you have been blocked for using your real name, please do not take offense; we are trying to prevent somebody from impersonating or harassing you, or someone you may share the same real name with. You are welcome to use your real name, but in some cases, you will need to prove that you are who you say you are. You can do this by sending an email to [mailto:info-en@wikimedia.org info-en{{No spam blue}}wikimedia.org]. Be aware that emails are handled by a [[Wikipedia:Volunteer Response Team|volunteer response team]]; it can take some time before you'll receive a reply. Do not send unsolicited scans of your [[passport]] or [[driver's license]] to the volunteer response team. Instead, you should contact them to find out the best way to prove your identity. The best way will vary, but could be by using an email address on a [[domain name]] that belongs to you.

===Stage names===
{{shortcut|WP:USERSTAGENAME}}
Users may use a self-identifying [[stage name]], [[pen name]], or other nickname as a username, provided that it uniquely identifies a single person. This is not considered promotional, even if commercial performances or publications are made under such a name, unless the user makes promotional edits ''within Wikipedia'' about themselves, their projects, etc. However, a user may not use '''someone else's''' stage name as a username, as per the {{slink||Real names}} section of this page.

=== Usernames with non-Latin characters ===
{{anchor|Non-Latin}}{{anchor|NL}}
{{policy shortcut|WP:NONLATIN|WP:LATINPLEASE}}
{{see also|Wikipedia:Unified login|Wikipedia:Signatures#Non-Latin}}

<section begin=UNPOL />Users with usernames in [[List of writing systems|non-Latin script writing systems]] are welcome to edit Wikipedia. There is no requirement that usernames must be in [[English language|English]] or that [[Latin script]] characters must be used. However, such usernames may appear illegible to other contributors to the English Wikipedia, and not every user's [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]] or [[input device]] may have immediate access to non-Latin [[Character (computing)|characters]]. In addition, sometimes certain characters may not display correctly.  As a courtesy to other contributors, and to avoid possible confusion or mis-identification, users with such usernames are encouraged to provide a Latin-character [[transliteration]] username on their [[Wikipedia:User pages|userpage]], and also as (at least part of) their [[Wikipedia:Signatures#Non-Latin usernames|signature]].  For an example, using the signature ''Παράδειγμα/Paradigma'' for [[User:Παράδειγμα]].<section end=UNPOL />

For technical reasons, usernames containing any [[Wikipedia:Naming conventions (technical restrictions)#Restrictions on usernames|forbidden characters]] (<code># < > [ ] | { } /</code>, as well as <code> @ : =</code>), are not possible.<ref>The "/" character is used for subpages of userpages. Just under 40,000 legacy usernames contain one or more of these last three characters; see {{quarry|87858}}.</ref> Usernames also cannot contain sequences of three or more consecutive tildes, as these are used to generate signatures, and cannot contain underscores, as the software automatically converts underscores to spaces and strips away any leading and trailing spaces.

=== Similar usernames ===
{{policy shortcut|WP:IMPERSONATOR|WP:SIMILARNAME}}
Usernames that are very similar to existing ones cannot be registered normally{{snd}}but if you do want to use one, you may request its creation at [[Wikipedia:Request an account]]. Usernames that are similar only to unused or inactive accounts should not be a problem. [[Special:CentralAuth]] can be used to check for such usernames. The program that checks for similarity is a bit over-sensitive{{mdash}}if the username is different enough as to prevent other people from confusing the two users, the request should be approved. One should not choose a username that implies a relationship with an existing editor (unless the account is actually owned or the relationship is acknowledged by the editor themselves).

If your username is similar to that of another contributor or an article, you may wish to provide some form of [[Wikipedia:Disambiguation|disambiguation]], such as by adding {{tl|distinguish}} to the top of your [[Wikipedia:User pages|user page]].

=== Commonly misspelled usernames ===
If your username is commonly misspelled, consider helping people by adding [[Wikipedia:Redirect|redirects]] to your actual user page and talk page from the misspelled titles. You may wish to consider registering the misspelled username as a [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry#Legitimate uses|doppelgänger account]] to prevent it from being registered by someone else. The software prevents registration of certain names that are found to be too similar to existing ones; if you cannot register your doppelgänger username for this reason, you should visit [[Wikipedia:Request an account]].

=== UseModWiki-era anonymous users ===
{{Policy shortcut|WP:USEMODDOMAIN}}
[[UseModWiki]], the software used on Wikipedia throughout 2001 and in early 2002, treated users who edited without logging in or providing a screen name differently from modern-day MediaWiki. Anonymous users in that time were treated in one of two ways:
*'''Domain names:''' Up until about March 2001, an editor with an IP address "192.0.2.34" that was associated with domain name "host.2.34.example.net" would have their edit logged as being by "host.2.34.example.net". Examples of this are [[User:office.bomis.com|office.bomis.com]], [[Special:Contributions/Dhcp-22-128.lclark.edu|dhcp-22-128.lclark.edu]], and [[Special:Contributions/cnts2p46.uwaterloo.ca|cnts2p46.uwaterloo.ca]]. Contributions by users with these usernames are affected by [[phab:T2323|T2323]]. These usernames are usually [[WP:BLOCK|indefinitely blocked]] on sight, as a) they don't make good usernames in light of the above criteria, b) they were never true usernames in the first place and would thus have been abandoned with changing software, and c) modern software is such that an innocent contributor editing from the "host.2.34.example.net" server would <em>not</em> be affected by a block of "User:host.2.34.example.net".
*'''Redacted IP addresses:''' An editor with that same IP address that was not associated with any domain name (or all UseModWiki edits after about March 2001) would have their edit logged as being by "192.0.2.xxx". The [[WP:Phase II software|Phase II software]] also exhibited this trait. Examples of this are [[Special:Contributions/209.69.30.xxx|209.69.30.xxx]] and [[Special:Contributions/62.110.183.xxx|62.110.183.xxx]].

== Shared accounts ==
{{Anchor|Sharing accounts}}
{{See also|Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry#Role accounts}}
{{policy shortcut|WP:NOSHARE|WP:NOSHARING|WP:SHAREDACCOUNT}}
Any user account should represent an individual and not a group (and an individual should normally only have one user account; see next section). Sharing an account – or the password to an account – with others is not permitted, and evidence of doing so will result in the user being required to stop the practice and change their password, or in sanctions (up to and including the account being blocked), depending on circumstances. For accounts being used to represent a group or organization, see {{slink||Promotional usernames}} and {{slink||Usernames implying shared use}} above.

Exceptions to this rule can be made for ''non-editing'' accounts approved to provide email access, accounts approved by the [[foundation:|Wikimedia Foundation]] (see [[WP:Sockpuppetry#List of role accounts|list]]), and [[Wikipedia:Bot policy|bot accounts]] that are maintained by more than one contributor, provided the existence of such an arrangement is made clear and has consensus.

== Using multiple accounts ==
{{policy shortcut|WP:MULTIPLE|WP:MULTIACCOUNT}}
{{main|Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry#Legitimate uses}}
It is recommended that contributors not use multiple accounts without good reason. For example, a user may wish to create an alternate account for use on public computers as a precaution to keep their primary account more secure. Contributors operating any sort of automated editing process should do so under an alternative [[Wikipedia:Bot policy|bot account]]. It is recommended that multiple accounts be identified as such on their [[Wikipedia:User pages|user page]]s; [[Wikipedia:Template messages|templates]] such as {{tl|User alternative account}} or [[Wikipedia:Userboxes/Wikipedia/Related accounts|one of a selection of user boxes]] may be used for this purpose. 

The use of multiple accounts outside of established policy for doing so is known as [[Wikipedia:Sockpuppetry|sockpuppetry]], and is not permitted. For example, multiple accounts may not be used to comment on proposals or requests, cast votes, or engage in [[Wikipedia:Edit warring|edit warring]]. Because policies apply to individuals, not accounts, [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|blocked]] or [[Wikipedia:Banning policy|banned]] users must not use sock puppets to circumvent a block; doing so will result in an extension of the block or ban.

== Changing your username ==
{{policy shortcut|WP:UNC}}
Usernames can be changed by [[m:Global renamer|global renamers]]; requests should be made at [[Wikipedia:Changing username]]. User accounts with few or no edits might not be renamed, as it is quicker and easier to simply {{signup|create a new account}}.

Once a username has been changed, existing contributions will be listed under the new name in [[Help:Page history|page histories]], [[Help:Diff|diffs]], [[Special:Log|logs]], and [[Special:Contributions|user contributions]]. Signatures on discussion pages will continue to use the old name; while these can be changed manually, it is not recommended unless a contributor wishes to remove as much information as possible about their former name for privacy reasons. In such situations the old name will still be available in old versions of discussion pages, unless [[WP:REVDEL|revision deletion]] is used and log entries are hidden from public view. Username changes are listed in the [[Special:Log/renameuser|user rename log]] and the [[m:Special:Log/gblrename|global rename log]].

=== {{anchor|Deleting an account}}Deleting and merging accounts ===
It is not possible to delete user accounts, as all contributions must be assigned to some identifier, either a username or an [[IP address]].<ref>See [[phab:T34815|bug T34815]]</ref> Editors seeking privacy per [[WP:Courtesy vanishing|courtesy vanishing]] / [[m:Right to Vanish|right to vanish]] can usually have their accounts renamed and their user pages (and, in exceptional cases, user talk pages) [[Wikipedia:User pages#Deleting others' user pages|deleted]].

It is not currently possible to merge more than one user account together and combine them into one user account on the English Wikipedia.

== See also ==
* [[Wikipedia:Identification]]
* [[Wikipedia:Usernames for administrator attention]]
* [[:Category:Wikipedians who are indefinitely blocked for a violation of the username policy]]
* {{Section link|Wikipedia:Naming conventions (technical restrictions)#Restrictions on usernames}}
* [[m:Help:Unified login]]

== Notes==
{{reflist}}

{{Wikipedia sockpuppetry}}
{{Wikipedia accounts|collapsed}}

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[[Category:Wikipedia conduct policies]]
[[Category:Wikipedia spam]]
[[Category:Wikipedia user conduct]]
[[Category:Wikipedia usernames]]