Meta:Changing username

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This page provides information about changing usernames

General requests for: help from a Meta sysop or bureaucrat · deletion (speedy deletions: local · multilingual) · URL blacklisting · new languages · interwiki map

Personal requests for: username changes · permissions (global) · bot status · adminship on Meta · CheckUser information (local) · local administrator help

Cooperation requests for: comments (local) (global) · translation

This page permits users to request, and bureaucrats to consider and carry out, username changes. It is generally only possible to rename an account to a name which is not yet taken. Usernames with zero or very few edits may be usurped. Requests regarding SUL can also be filled here.

Instructions

Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure the correct processing of your request.

• Check that the username you are requesting does not yet exist, or has no edits. This may be done via the search function at Special:ListUsers; if the name appears in the list, even if the link is red, the name is taken. Be sure to capitalize the first letter of the username, as the software does not permit usernames that begin with a lowercase letter. Do not create an account under the new name.
• To have your username changed, add a request and follow this procedure:

1. Replace CURRENT USERNAME with your current username (no "User:" prefix).
2. Replace DESIRED USERNAME with the username you wish to take.
3. State your reason(s) for requesting a rename directly after reason=.
4. NOTE: do not fill in the section name. This is automatically done.
5. Check everything is right, and save the page.

Effects of a username change:

• When the rename has been completed, your account will have been renamed, and any contributions you have made (including deleted contributions) will be reattributed to your new account as a background process. Your account preferences, watchlist contents, password, etc. will all be preserved, and your user and user talk pages will have been moved to the new name (unless specifically asked not to).
• The change will appear in the user rename log. There is no way to rename accounts without logging the change.

Notes

• It is not possible for bureaucrats to merge two accounts, or to reattribute edits from IP addresses. Only registered accounts can be renamed.
• This page is for requests on the Meta-Wiki only. To change your username on another Wikimedia project, please ask a bureaucrat on that project or make a request here to have it done by a Steward for wikis without local bureaucrats.
• As an alternative, you may consider changing your signature. This will change your "public appearance" on talk pages and other places where you sign your username with ~~~~.
• It may be easier for you simply to create a new account (although due to technical restrictions, requests to change only the capitalisation or punctuation should be made here). You can then discontinue use of the old one. It does not need to be deleted; disused accounts are harmless and may be safely ignored.
• Account names requested here are regarded as being "reserved" until the request is accepted or rejected. If someone else registers the account while the request is here, it will be renamed if necessary to allow for the requested move.
• Be aware: This change will not affect signatures you have already left on talk pages, or other places where you signed your username with ~~~~. Those pages will continue to display your signature (including the link to your old username) unless edited manually.
• Once you have been renamed, your old account will no longer exist. In general the bureaucrat who deals with the name change should re-create the old account and block it indefinitely. To guard against impersonation, you may wish to check this.
• Of possible interest: the Wikimedia Foundation privacy policy; "Right to vanish"

Requests

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ADD A REQUEST (make sure to review the instructions first)

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EuropeanObesityDay → European Obesity Day

• Current name: EuropeanObesityDay (talk • contribs • email)
• Requested name: European Obesity Day (talk • contribs • email)
• For bureaucrats: SUL report (old • new) | Email target username | (simple rename) • (usurp 1 + 2)
• Reason: I would like there to be spaces so that it accurately reflects the formal title of the day EuropeanObesityDay 14:04, 20 May 2009 (UTC)

Thanks a bunch!!

I question the legitimacy of this username under policy. Keep Conflict of Interest in mind. —Anonymous Dissident^Talk 07:44, 21 May 2009 (UTC)

Christian Giersing → Bilindustrien

• Current name: Christian Giersing (talk • contribs • email)
• Requested name: Bilindustrien (talk • contribs • email)
• For bureaucrats: SUL report (old • new) | Email target username | (simple rename) • (usurp 1 + 2)
• Reason: Christian Giersing 17:46, 3 June 2009 (UTC)

Done --Meno25 15:10, 5 June 2009 (UTC)

João Felipe C.S → Felipe Menegaz

• Current name: João Felipe C.S (talk • contribs • email)
• Requested name: Felipe Menegaz (talk • contribs • email)
• For bureaucrats: SUL report (old • new) | Email target username | (simple rename) • (usurp 1 + 2)
• Reason: I am changing this name in all projects. João Felipe C.S 18:37, 4 June 2009 (UTC)

Done --Meno25 15:07, 5 June 2009 (UTC)

Jayvdb → John Vandenberg

• Current name: Jayvdb (talk • contribs • email)
• Requested name: John Vandenberg (talk • contribs • email)
• For bureaucrats: SUL report (old • new) | Email target username | (simple rename) • (usurp 1 + 2)
• Reason: I have nearly always used my full name in my signature. John Vandenberg 05:35, 15 June 2009 (UTC)