Creating a username when signing up for a new account can be a nightmare. Do you go for something funny? Memorable? Or maybe you opt for your actual name instead? Well, that's what most people do. But is it safe? Does your username even matter? Well, it turns out it might. Let's take a look at the most popular usernames and how they can impact your security.
Contents:
How to pick a good username
Ever feel like every good and unique username is already taken? If so, you’re not alone. After all, a username is your digital first impression, so it’s natural you want it to be unique, easy for you to remember, and say a little something about who you are.
A bit of humor can also go a long way, leading to some truly funny usernames that are instantly memorable. The best usernames are those that mix a couple of your interests, as they create unexpected combinations. Love baking and sci-fi? Think GalacticBaker or DarthDough. Just a friendly tip: try to keep it easy to spell and say out loud. If your friends need a manual to type it, you might want to simplify.
Most importantly, keep your username safe. Avoid using personal details like your full name, birth year, or location. This simple step is a great way to protect your privacy online. Also, consider where you'll be using it. The handle you use for gaming might not be the best fit for your professional networking profile. Tailoring your username to the platform is always a smart move.
The top 10 usernames
Unfortunately, most people use their real name as their username. Among the top usernames are names like David, Alex, Maria, Anna, or Marco. The number one username wasn't a name, though—with 875,562 hits, it was ยศกร, meaning “title” in Thai. Notably, “admin” and “user” didn't make the list of the most common usernames.
The top 10 usernames of all time
| Count | Username | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 875562 | ยศกร |
| 2. | 470646 | David |
| 3. | 451546 | Alex |
| 4. | 438485 | Maria |
| 5. | 387660 | Anna |
| 6. | 352629 | Marco |
| 7. | 325085 | Antonio |
| 8. | 310096 | Daniel |
| 9. | 305442 | Andrea |
| 10. | 298963 | 집을뒤집자 |
Why do usernames matter?
When it comes to securing your accounts, creating robust passwords should be the top priority. However, you shouldn't dismiss your username—if it's easy to guess, you're essentially giving half of your credentials away.
The worst usernames are those that include personal information. If you're using personal data to name your account, you may be helping cybercriminals build your profile. Let's say you post a comment on a messaging board with a username like “Lisa1990” or “SeattleJeremy.” That's enough for a hacker to start a social engineering attack.
How to create a secure username
So, how do you pick the best username for a secure account?
Don't reuse your username across different accounts—this makes it easy to track you. Better use random usernames for every account you have.
Don't use your actual name.
Avoid creating a username that's identical to your email address.
Don't use personal information like your birth date, the city you're from, or social security and ID numbers.
Don't use usernames that are the same as your password or may hint at it.
If you’re struggling to create a unique username, try using a username generator.
Creating secure usernames is a great first step, but it’s only half of the security equation. The other half is having a strong, unique password for every account. A password manager like NordPass makes that part easy. It offers an encrypted vault to store and sync your credentials across all your devices, and even autofills them for you at login.
For next-level protection, the Premium plan adds powerful security features. For instance, you can share passwords securely with people you trust, while the Data Breach Scanner actively checks if any of your sensitive information has been exposed in a breach. It's the complete solution for your digital security and peace of mind.
Methodology: NordPass partnered up with a white-hat hacker, who compiled a report of the most popular usernames of all time. The hacker requested to remain anonymous.