How to Choose Your Online Dating Username

In online dating, deciding on your username is an important part of the process! This is your chance to name and brand your product: you! You want to pick a name that truly represents who you are and the kind of person you are looking to meet.

Dating expert, Damona Hoffman, aka “Dear Mrs D”, is full of tips on how to choose the best username for your profile—plus what to avoid.

I recommend choosing an actual word rather than initials or letters. That way you’ll be more memorable. You want to avoid using your actual name unless you combine it with a descriptive quality. Also avoid using arbitrary numbers. If you want to use numbers, then make them relevant to who you are or who you want to meet. Your screen name can be one that will make more sense as someone gets to know you. However don’t choose one so obscure that nobody will be intrigued enough to click on it in the first place.

Below are some examples:

Joseph714—Maybe 714 is the area code for where Joseph grew up in. Or maybe Joseph lives within the 714 area code and is searching in that vicinity. Or maybe those numbers relate to his birthday or that of a family member. There are many intriguing possibilities that come to mind when you see this name. However, if 714 has no real relevance to his life then it’s a missed opportunity to tell a potential date something about himself.

SexKittenAH—Let’s say Ashley or AH wants to be in a serious relationship but she names herself this thinking it will better attract a man because, well, sex sells. She’s right. Sex will sell her just that…sex. If she wants a guy to take her seriously and if she wants to meet a guy who’s serious in return, then she would be better off choosing a name that conveys other information about her. Perhaps she is always complimented on her eyes. If so, she could turn heads with screen name AshleyBabyBlue.

AviatorJoe tells more than just Joe32936. Joe likes to fly so that means he’s adventurous. You can also deduce that he is dedicated to and invested in being a pilot. Most aviators are also well traveled.

There’s a lot you can discover from that short screen name. TennisProLen gives you an immediate sense that this guy is active, likes the outdoors and is competitive in nature. Len is more likely to get clicked on just because his screen name is informative. Plus, confidence is sexy. While some people might find it obnoxious that Len put Pro in his name, more will likely find it intriguing.

Perhaps there’s a pun or something catchy you can play with in your name. Maybe Ramon could be EvrybdyXORamon. But don’t get too clever with abbreviations. If someone cannot understand what your profile means, they will never click on it.

For example, LookN4the1 could easily be misread and it takes too long to get at first glance. Plus names that talk about your interest in finding love usually read as cheesy or insincere and don’t say anything unique about you.

You do not need to use your real name at all. In fact, the more interesting names usually relate to qualities or interests instead, which holds much more value in a relationship than just a name. Remember that you are selling ‘The Product You’ and this is the first point of contact that a potential date would have with your brand.

Build Your Web

If you find a name that works, stick with it. When some people join second or third sites, they feel the need to reinvent themselves each time. If someone has already reviewed your profile on another site and made a decision about you, then seeing the same specific name will cut to the chase for both of you even if you’re on a different site. Lastly, if a Product You changes their name, how would you ever know how to find it again?

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