Alright, so here’s the deal:
I once made a Reddit account with the username u_TacoWizard3000 when I was like, 13. It was funny at the time. Felt powerful. A wizard… of tacos. But fast-forward a few years, and I’m like:
“Why the heck did I name myself that?”
So I started digging. Could I change it? Could I fix the damage?
Here’s everything I learned, broken down so even my Young cousin could follow it (he just discovered Reddit and already wants to be u_MasterOfMemes123).
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I change my Reddit username? | ❌ Nope, not directly. |
| Can I delete my account and make a new one? | ✅ Yep, totally. But you lose your stuff. |
| Can I hide my old username somehow? | ✅ Kinda (using display name). |
So, Why Can’t I Just Change It?
Reddit usernames are like tattoos. Once you pick one, it’s stuck there.
Here’s how I see it:
Diagram: Making a Reddit Account Is Like Getting a Tattoo
[Make Account] → [Choose Username] → 💉 BOOM — IT’S PERMANENT
No “edit username” button. No going back.
Once it’s picked, it’s locked in forever (unless you delete the whole thing).
Okay, So What Can I Do?
Even though Reddit doesn’t let you straight-up change your username, I found a few ways to get around it:
1. Make a New Reddit Account
This is what I ended up doing.
Here’s how:
- I logged out of my old account.
- Went to reddit.com.
- Signed up again with a fresh username that didn’t make me cringe.
- Started over with a clean slate.
Just so you know: You won’t keep your karma, awards, posts, or messages. It’s like moving to a new town where nobody knows you.
Use a Display Name (Reddit App Only)
This one surprised me.
You can’t change your actual Reddit username, but you can add a Display Name that shows up instead in some spots.
| Feature | Username | Display Name |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | ✅ Yes | ❌ Nope, can change it |
| Shown on posts? | ✅ Yes (always) | ✅ Sometimes |
| Editable? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Here’s how I changed mine on the app:
- Opened the Reddit app.
- Tapped my profile pic.
- Hit “Edit Profile.”
- Typed in a new display name (I went with something simple like “JesseFromOceanvale”).
It won’t hide your real username everywhere, but it does help cover it up.
3. Delete My Account and Restart
This is the full reset. I didn’t go this route, but here’s what it looks like:
- You nuke your account.
- Everything you posted turns into
u/[deleted]. - Your username is gone forever.
- You make a new account and start fresh.
🚨 Warning: You can’t recover anything once you do this. It’s total blackout mode.
Table: Comparing My Options
| Option | Keep Karma? | Keep Posts? | Username Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Change Display Name | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Create New Account | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Delete + Start Over | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Some FAQs I Had (And You Probably Do Too)
Q: Can Reddit change my name if I ask nicely?
A: Nope. I tried. They don’t do that.
Q: What if I signed up with Google/Apple and got some weird auto-generated name?
A: Good news — if Reddit gave you something like u_Curious_Crab_93, you usually get one shot to change it after you sign up. But after that? That’s it. One-time deal.
Q: Can I hide my username completely?
A: Not really. You can try to distract people with your display name, but your actual Reddit handle is always floating around.
Q: How do I pick a better username next time?
Here’s what I kept in mind:
- Keep it short and simple.
- Use inside jokes you won’t regret in 5 years.
- Avoid tons of numbers or weird caps unless it actually looks cool.
- Think twice before using the word “420” (unless you really mean it).
Some Privacy Stuff I Learned Too
If your current username is cringey or personal, here’s what you can do to keep things low-key:
- Make your profile private.
- Don’t overshare personal info.
- Don’t use the same username across other platforms.
- Or just quietly create a new account and move on.
My Final Thoughts
So yeah—Reddit doesn’t let you change your username. I learned that the hard way.
But here’s your plan:
- Display Name = good for a quick cosmetic fix.
- New Account = clean slate if you don’t mind starting over.
- Delete + Restart = full-on escape mode.
Next time, I’m picking something simple, clean, and future-proof. No more TacoWizard3000.
Save This or Share It With a Friend
If you’re stuck with a weird Reddit name and wondering what to do, hopefully this helped. If not, I’ll see you on Reddit as u_JesseFromSomewhereElse.
Some names you outgrow. Doesn’t mean you stop showing up.
—Sahadat.
