Where to find the username setting

Your GitHub username lives in your account settings, not in your profile. Go to github.com, click your profile picture in the top right corner, and select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Account. The username field is near the top of that page, and it shows your current name with a pencil icon next to it.

You need to be signed into your own account to see this option. If you are managing someone else's account or a shared workspace, you will not have permission to change the username — only the account owner can do this.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings, then Account, and click the pencil icon next to your username to edit it.
  • GitHub allows one username change every seven days, so plan ahead if you need to change it again soon.
  • Your old username will become available for someone else to claim after a short grace period, so move any important repositories or links before you change it.
  • Old URLs pointing to your repositories will redirect to the new ones for a limited time, but you should update links in your resume, portfolio, or documentation yourself.
  • Organizations and teams you belong to will still recognize you by your account, not by your username, so your access does not change.

What happens to your repositories and links

When you change your username, GitHub automatically redirects old repository URLs to your new ones for about nine months. A repository that was at github.com/oldname/myproject will redirect to github.com/newname/myproject. This means links you shared before the change will still work, but only temporarily.

After that grace period ends, the old URLs stop working. If you have links in your resume, portfolio website, or documentation that point to your repositories, update them yourself rather than relying on the redirect. The same applies to any links you have shared in job applications, social media, or professional profiles.

The seven-day waiting period between changes

GitHub limits username changes to one every seven days. If you change your username today, you cannot change it again until seven days from now. This rule exists to prevent abuse and to give the system time to update all the connections tied to your account.

If you are unsure about a new username, test it mentally or write it down before you make the change. Once you confirm the change, you are locked in for a week. If you made a typo or changed your mind, you will have to wait seven days to fix it.

What your old username becomes

When you change your username, your old one does not disappear when ready. GitHub holds it for a grace period — typically a few weeks — during which no one else can claim it. After that period ends, your old username becomes available for any other GitHub user to register.

This matters if your old username is memorable or tied to your professional brand. If you think you might want to use it again someday, consider whether you should keep it. If you are certain you will not need it, there is no action required — it will straightforward open up for others.

How your account stays connected to teams and organizations

Your GitHub account is identified internally by a unique ID number, not by your username. When you change your username, that ID stays the same. This means your membership in organizations, your access to repositories, your contributions history, and your followers all remain exactly as they were.

People who follow you will still see your activity. Organizations you belong to will still recognize you as a member. Your commit history will still show your contributions to repositories. The only thing that changes is the name displayed next to these things.

Steps to change your username

Open github.com and sign in to your account. Click your profile picture in the top right, then select Settings. On the left sidebar, click Account. Find the username field and click the pencil icon next to it.

Type your new username in the text box. GitHub will tell you when ready if the name is already taken or if it contains characters that are not allowed. Usernames can include letters, numbers, and hyphens, but they cannot start or end with a hyphen. Once you have entered a valid name, click Change username to confirm.

GitHub will show you a warning that old URLs will redirect for a limited time and that you should update links yourself. Read this message, then click the button to confirm the change. Your username will update within a few seconds, and you will see it reflected across your profile and repositories.

Updating your local Git repositories

If you have repositories cloned on your computer, the remote URL still points to your old username. This does not break anything when ready — GitHub redirects the old URL to the new one. However, it is good practice to update these URLs so they point directly to your new username.

Open your terminal or command prompt and navigate to a repository folder. Type git remote -v to see the current remote URL. If it shows your old username, update it by typing git remote set-url origin https://github.com/newusername/repositoryname.git, replacing newusername and repositoryname with your actual new username and the repository name. Repeat this for each repository you have cloned locally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Yes, but only if no one else has claimed your old username in the meantime. If your old username is still in the grace period or has not been claimed, you can change back to it. If someone else registered it, you cannot use it again unless they give it up.

Will my GitHub Pages website URL change?

If your GitHub Pages site is at username.github.io, it will change to newusername.github.io when you change your username. Any links to the old URL will break. Update bookmarks, social media links, and any documentation that points to your old GitHub Pages URL.

What if I change my username and then want to use my old one for a new account?

After the grace period, your old username becomes available for anyone to register, including you. You could create a new account and use your old username there. However, you cannot transfer repositories or history between accounts — they are separate.

Do I need to tell people I changed my username?

If people follow you or collaborate with you on GitHub, they will see your new username automatically. However, if you have shared your GitHub profile link in your resume, portfolio, or professional profiles, update those links yourself so people find you under your new name.

What if the username I want is already taken?

GitHub will tell you the name is unavailable when you try to change to it. You will need to choose a different username. You can try adding numbers, hyphens, or variations of your preferred name. Check whether the username you want belongs to an active account or an abandoned one — you cannot claim usernames that are in use.