Yes, you can change your WordPress username, but the method depends on whether you run WordPress.com or WordPress.org

If you use WordPress.com (the hosted version where you sign in at wordpress.com), you can change your display name and the name shown on your posts, but your account username itself cannot be changed. WordPress.com treats the username as your permanent account identifier, similar to an email address. What you can do instead is change your display name — the name readers see on your blog — through your account settings.

If you use WordPress.org (the self-hosted version you install on your own server), you can create a new admin account with a different username and then delete or demote the old one. This is the closest equivalent to changing your username, though technically you are replacing the account rather than renaming it.

The reason for this difference is structural: WordPress.com usernames are tied to your login credentials and email recovery, while WordPress.org usernames are just database entries you can modify or work around.

Key Takeaways

  • WordPress.com usernames cannot be changed, but you can change your display name, which is what readers see on your site.
  • WordPress.org sites allow you to create a new admin account with a different username and remove the old one.
  • Changing your WordPress.org username requires access to the database or a plugin, and you should back up your site first.
  • If you want a completely different username on WordPress.com, you would need to create a new account, which means a new site URL.

Changing your display name on WordPress.com

On WordPress.com, go to your account settings by clicking your profile icon in the top right corner and selecting Settings. Look for the section labeled Personal Settings or Account. You will see a field for Display Name — this is the name that appears on your blog posts and in comments. Select it from the dropdown menu of names associated with your account, or type a new one.

This display name change takes effect when ready on your public site. Readers will see the new name on any new posts you publish and on your author archive pages. Your actual WordPress.com username (the one you use to log in) remains the same and cannot be altered.

If you also want to change the name on your site's header or sidebar, that is controlled by your site settings, not your account settings. Go to Settings > General on your WordPress.com dashboard and update the Site Title field.

Creating a new admin account and removing the old one on WordPress.org

On a self-hosted WordPress.org site, the safest approach is to create a new administrator account with the username you want, then delete or downgrade the old account. First, back up your entire site and database — if something goes wrong, you need a way to restore it.

Log in to your WordPress dashboard. Go to Users > Add New. Enter the new username you want, along with an email address and strong password. Set the role to Administrator. Click Add New User. Log out and log back in with the new account to confirm it works.

Once you have confirmed the new account works, go back to Users, find your old account, and click Delete. WordPress will ask what to do with posts and pages created under the old account — choose Attribute all content to and select your new username. This reassigns all your posts to the new account.

Using a plugin to change your WordPress.org username directly

Some plugins allow you to change a WordPress.org username without creating a new account. Username Changer is one option that lets you edit the username field directly in the Users section. Install and set up the plugin, then go to Users, hover over the account you want to change, and click Edit. The username field will now be editable.

Before using any plugin that modifies core database fields, back up your site. Test the change on a staging copy of your site if you have one. After changing the username, log out completely and log back in with the new username to confirm the change worked.

If you use a plugin, check that it is actively maintained and compatible with your current WordPress version. Abandoned plugins can cause problems during WordPress updates.

What happens to your old username after you change it

On WordPress.org, if you delete the old account, the username becomes available for someone else to use. If you want to preserve the username but just stop using it, you can instead change the old account's role to Subscriber (the lowest permission level) and leave it inactive. This keeps the account in your system without giving it any administrative power.

Your posts and comments will show the new username once you reassign them. Any links to your author archive page (like yoursite.com/author/oldusername/) will break unless you set up a redirect. Some SEO plugins can handle this automatically, or you can add a redirect rule in your .htaccess file or through your hosting control panel.

Why WordPress.com does not allow username changes

WordPress.com treats your username as your account identifier across the entire platform, similar to how an email address works. It is linked to your login, password recovery, and billing. Changing it would require updating references in multiple systems and could create security gaps. For that reason, WordPress.com does not offer the option.

If you absolutely need a different username on WordPress.com, your only option is to create a new account. This means a new site URL (unless you purchase a custom domain), new email address, and starting fresh. Your old site and content remain under the old account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my WordPress.com username to something else?

No. WordPress.com usernames are permanent and cannot be changed. You can change your display name, which is what readers see, but your login username stays the same. If you need a completely different username, you would need to create a new WordPress.com account.

Will changing my WordPress.org username break my site?

No, as long as you reassign your posts to the new account. When you delete the old account, WordPress asks you to attribute all content to another user. Select your new account, and all your posts will show the new username. Author archive links may break, but you can set up redirects.

Do I need a plugin to change my WordPress.org username?

No. The safest method is creating a new admin account and deleting the old one — this requires no plugins. Plugins like Username Changer can edit the username directly, but they carry more risk if something goes wrong. Back up your site before using either method.

What if I forget my new WordPress.org username after changing it?

You can always see all usernames on your site by going to Users in your dashboard. If you are locked out entirely, you can reset your password using the login page, or contact your hosting provider to reset it through the database.

Can I have multiple usernames on the same WordPress.org site?

Yes. You can create as many user accounts as you need, each with different usernames and permission levels. Go to Users > Add New to create additional accounts. This is useful if multiple people manage the site.