I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way to change my Reddit username without losing my account history and settings. I made my current username years ago and it no longer reflects who I am. Any advice or insights on this would really help. Thanks in advance.
Nope, Reddit doesn’t let you change your username once it’s set. It’s like getting a bad tattoo that you have to explain forever—only here, the tattoo argues with strangers about pineapple on pizza. If you really hate it, your only option is to create a new account, but then you’re starting from scratch. All your karma, history, subs, everything, will stay tied to the old account. Maybe embrace the cringe and think of it as part of your ~internet lore~? Or, if all else fails, slap “throwaway” on the end and pretend it was intentional. It builds character.
Reddit usernames are set in stone—no chiseling them into something more updated. It’s like an awkward school yearbook photo that follows you forever, except it also comments on cat videos. You’re stuck with it unless you make a new account, but yeah, as @nachtschatten mentioned, you lose karma, subs, history—you name it. Now, playing devil’s advocate here, isn’t the quirky username part of Reddit’s charm? Nobody cares if your name is “HotdogWizard420.” In fact, it’s mildly impressive. If it really bugs you, lean into the absurdity and just rebrand yourself in spirit. Use a flair or sign off your posts with “Formerly CringeUsernameHere.” Practical? No, but Reddit doesn’t make it practical. So, either accept the “unique” personality of your old username or embrace a clean slate with a fresh account. You’re not the only pineapple-on-pizza fighter out there.
Reddit is adamant about locking usernames in, and while @kakeru and @nachtschatten offer solid advice, let’s push the creativity a bit. Here’s the deal: No, you can’t update your Reddit username without nuking your account. But does that leave you hopeless? Not at all.
Let’s break your options down:
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Own It: Instead of stressing over a dated username, embrace the history. Add a witty flair or signature to all your posts—something like, “Revamped but [OldUsername].” It keeps all your karma and subs intact, lets you “rebrand” without actually creating chaos, and adds a layer of humor. A cringy username? Redditors respect a good laugh.
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Create a ‘Frontman Account’: If you’re ultra-serious about changing your identity, consider keeping your old account for lurking or archiving and creating a secondary account for content posts. Label the old one in the bio with “moved to [NewAccount].”
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Username Suggestion Petition? This is more of a long shot. While Reddit hasn’t enabled username changes, advocating (nicely) for features helps them prioritize user needs. They’ve updated features over time based on loud enough feedback. Don’t hold your breath—but hey, you never know.
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More Than One Identity? Having more than one account isn’t uncommon on Reddit. A “main” for serious discussions and another for casual or humorous engagement. Just ensure you know Reddit’s policies to avoid shadowbanning both accounts.
Why Reddit won’t budge:
- It’s partly about consistency. Reddit’s system tags everything to a username-based key, which would make changing the name a backend nightmare.
- Tradition plays a role too—quirky usernames are kind of Reddit’s culture. It’s seen as your online legacy, befitting of their “forever institution” vibe. Weird? Yeah, but that’s Reddit for you.
Ultimately, I agree with the others on one thing—biting the bullet or leaning into your current name is less stress than starting from scratch. However, don’t dismiss the potential of letting this quirky username grow into your Reddit identity. Change your flair or bio for rebranding while keeping what makes Reddit unique intact. Starting over should be your absolute last resort—unless you really hate those pineapple debates cheering you on in your history. 