You cannot change your Reddit username after you create it

Reddit does not offer a way to edit or change your username once your account is set up. The name you choose during registration is permanent. If you want a different username, you must create a new Reddit account with the name you prefer.

This is different from your display name, which you can change. Your username (the u/ handle) and your display name are two separate things. The username appears in your profile URL and in comments. The display name is optional and shows on your profile page — it can be changed anytime, but it does not change your actual u/ handle.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Reddit username cannot be edited or changed once created, so you must start a new account if you want a different u/ handle.
  • Your display name is different from your username and can be changed in your account settings without creating a new account.
  • Usernames are case-insensitive, so "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" are treated as the same account.
  • If you abandon an old account, Reddit does not delete it or free up the username for reuse by others.
  • You can manually remove your post history from an old account, but the username itself will remain on Reddit permanently.

The difference between username and display name

Your username is the u/ handle that appears in your profile URL (reddit.com/user/yourname) and next to every comment or post you make. It is permanent and cannot be changed. Usernames are case-insensitive — Reddit treats "JohnSmith" and "johnsmith" as the same account.

Your display name is optional text that appears on your profile page and in some places on Reddit. You can set, change, or remove your display name at any time through your account settings. Many users leave this blank. Changing your display name does not change your username or affect how people find or mention you.

The display name is purely cosmetic. It does not appear in your profile URL, and it does not change the way other users tag or reference you in comments. Only your username serves that function.

How to change your display name if you want a different public name

If you want to change how your name appears on your profile (but keep your username), you can update your display name. On the Reddit website, go to your profile, click the three-dot menu, and select "Edit profile." You will see a field labeled "Display name" — enter the name you want and save.

On the Reddit mobile app, tap your profile icon in the top right, then tap your username. Tap the pencil icon next to your name, and you can edit your display name in the field that appears. Save your changes when done.

Your display name can include spaces and special characters. It shows on your profile page and in some comments, but your actual username (the u/ handle) stays the same and cannot be changed this way. You can also leave the display name blank if you prefer not to use one.

What to do if you need a different username

If you want a different u/ handle, you must create a new Reddit account. Sign up with a new email address and choose the username you want during registration. You can then use this new account going forward.

Your old account will remain on Reddit under your original username. Reddit does not delete inactive accounts or recycle usernames. If you want to distance yourself from your old account, you can delete your posts and comments manually, or you can use a third-party tool designed to remove post history — but the account itself and the username will still exist.

When you create a new account, you can subscribe to the same communities, follow the same users, and rebuild your presence under your new username. Your old account's history will not transfer, so you will start fresh.

Why Reddit does not allow username changes

Reddit treats usernames as permanent identifiers tied to your account history. Changing a username would break links to your old posts and comments, confuse other users who know you by your current name, and create technical problems with how Reddit stores and displays your content.

Some other platforms allow username changes because they use a separate internal ID to track accounts. Reddit's system links your username directly to your content, so a change would require rewriting years of posts and comments across the site. This architectural choice means the company has decided the cost of supporting username changes outweighs the benefit.

Reddit has maintained this policy consistently since the platform's founding, and there is no indication the company plans to change it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my old account and use the same username on a new account?

No. Even if you delete your old account, Reddit does not recycle the username. The name remains tied to the deleted account and cannot be reused. You must choose a different username for your new account.

Does changing my display name change my username?

No. Your display name and username are separate. Changing your display name does not affect your u/ handle or how people mention you in comments. Your username stays the same.

What if I created my account with a username I now regret?

Your only option is to create a new account with a username you prefer. You can keep your old account inactive or delete your posts from it, but the username cannot be changed or freed up for reuse.

Can I use a username that someone else deleted?

No. Deleted accounts do not release their usernames back to Reddit. The username remains permanently associated with the deleted account and cannot be claimed by anyone else.

Will my new account have access to my old account's saved posts and subscriptions?

No. Each Reddit account is separate. Your saved posts, subscriptions, and upvote history are tied to the account you created them on. You will need to resubscribe to communities and rebuild your saved list on your new account.