Yes, you can change your OSU username, but the process depends on which OSU service you use

Ohio State University offers several platforms where you log in with a username — your email account, Canvas (the learning management system), BuckeyeBox (file storage), and others. Each one handles username changes differently, and some do not allow changes at all. Your main OSU email username is the hardest to change because it is tied to your official university record. Canvas and other apps built on top of your OSU account can sometimes be customized, but the underlying username usually stays the same.

The key distinction is between your OSU name.# account (your official university login) and the display name you see in individual apps. You have more control over display names than over the account itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Your OSU name.# username is permanent and cannot be changed through normal channels, even if you marry, divorce, or prefer a different name.
  • Canvas and other OSU apps let you change your display name (what other students see) without changing your login username.
  • If you have a legal name change, contact the Office of the Registrar to update your official record, which may update how your name appears in some systems.
  • Third-party apps connected to your OSU account (like Slack or Zoom) may pull your display name from Canvas or your OSU profile, so changing it there can affect those services too.

Changing your display name in Canvas

Canvas is where most OSU students spend their time, and it is the easiest place to change how your name appears. Log into Canvas, click your profile icon in the top right corner, select "Settings," and look for the "Edit Settings" button. From there you can change your display name to anything you want — your legal name, a nickname, initials, or a pseudonym. This change affects only how other students and instructors see you in Canvas.

Your login username for Canvas stays the same (it is still your name.# account). Only the name that shows up next to your posts, assignments, and profile changes. If you are taking a class where you prefer privacy or want to use a different name for any reason, this is the fastest way to do it.

Why your OSU name.# username cannot change

Your name.# username is your permanent university identifier. It is used for your email, your student record, financial aid, degree conferral, and dozens of backend systems that OSU relies on. Changing it would break links across the entire university — your transcript would not match your email, your financial aid would not find you, and your degree would not be issued to the right person.

OSU treats this username the same way the Social Security Administration treats your Social Security number: it is a permanent identifier, not a preference. Even if you legally change your name, your name.# stays the same. Your legal name will update in the registrar's records, but your login username does not change.

What to do if you have legally changed your name

If you have gone through a legal name change (marriage, divorce, court order, or other reason), contact the Office of the Registrar with your legal documentation. They will update your official name in the university system. This change will show up on your diploma, your transcript, and in places like BuckeyeBox where your legal name appears — but your name.# login username will not change.

After the registrar updates your record, check Canvas and other apps to see if your display name has updated automatically. Some systems pull from the registrar's database; others do not. If an app still shows your old name and you want it changed, you may need to update your display name in that app separately.

Changing your name in other OSU apps and services

BuckeyeBox, Slack, Zoom, and other tools connected to your OSU account often pull your name from Canvas or your OSU profile. If you change your display name in Canvas, it may automatically update in those services — but not always. Some apps cache the information and update only when you log out and back in. Others have their own name fields that you can edit independently.

Log into each app separately and look for a "Profile" or "Settings" section. Most will let you edit your display name without touching your username. If an app does not offer a name-change option, it is pulling your name directly from OSU's systems and you cannot override it there.

What happens to your old username if you leave OSU

After you graduate or leave the university, your name.# account remains active for a period of time (usually several years). You can still use it to access your email and some archived materials. OSU does not reassign old usernames to new students, so your name.# stays yours even after you leave. Eventually the account may be deactivated, but the username itself is not recycled.

If you need to maintain access to your OSU email or records after graduation, keep your password find and check OSU's alumni resources for information about long-term account access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my OSU email address itself?

No. Your name.# email address is permanent. You can set up mail forwarding to another email account, and you can add alternative email addresses to your OSU account for password recovery, but you cannot change the name.# address itself. Contact the OSU IT Help Center if you need to set up forwarding.

If I change my display name in Canvas, will my instructors see the new name on my assignments?

Yes. Your instructors will see your new display name on all assignments, discussion posts, and grades going forward. Old assignments you submitted before the change may still show your previous name in the gradebook, depending on how the system stores historical data.

What if I want to use a completely different name for privacy reasons?

You can change your display name in Canvas to anything you want, and instructors will see that name in the gradebook. However, your official transcript and degree will still use your legal name as it appears in the registrar's records. If you need formal accommodations for privacy or safety, contact the Dean of Students office.

Do I need to change my password if I change my display name?

No. Changing your display name does not affect your password or security. Your login credentials stay the same. If you want to change your password for any reason, you can do that separately through the OSU account management portal.

Will changing my name in Canvas affect my email or other university systems?

Changing your display name in Canvas affects only how you appear in Canvas. Your email address, your official record, and other university systems are not touched. If you want your legal name updated across all systems, you need to contact the Office of the Registrar with legal documentation.