The simplest way to change your WordPress username

You cannot change your username directly in WordPress settings the way you change your password or email. Instead, you create a new user account with the username you want, transfer your posts to that account, and then delete the old one. This takes about ten minutes and requires you to log out and back in once.

The reason WordPress works this way is that your username is permanently attached to every post, comment, and permission you have ever created. Changing it means reassigning all of that content, which is why the system makes you do it in steps rather than with a single setting.

Key Takeaways

  • You create a new administrator account with your desired username, then reassign your old posts to it before deleting the original account.
  • You must have administrator access to create new user accounts and change post ownership.
  • The process requires you to log out of your old account and log in with the new one to complete the final step.
  • If you use a plugin that stores your username separately, you may need to update it there as well after changing your WordPress username.

Step 1: Create a new administrator account with your new username

Log in to your WordPress dashboard with your current account. On the left sidebar, click Users, then click Add New. You will see a form with fields for username, email, first name, last name, website, and password.

Type your desired username in the Username field. WordPress usernames can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but no spaces. Enter a strong password in the Password field — WordPress will generate one for you if you click the password generator button. Make sure the Role dropdown at the bottom is set to Administrator, then click Add New User.

Write down or save the new username and password somewhere safe. You will need them to log in after you delete your old account.

Step 2: Move your posts from the old account to the new one

While still logged in as your original account, go to Posts in the left sidebar. You will see a list of all your posts. At the top of the list, click Bulk Actions (or the checkbox next to Title to select all posts on the current page). If you have many posts spread across multiple pages, you will need to repeat this for each page.

After selecting your posts, open the Bulk Actions dropdown and choose Change Author. A new field will appear asking you to select the new author. Click the dropdown and select the new username you just created. Click explore.

WordPress will reassign all selected posts to the new account. If you have posts on multiple pages, go to the next page, select all posts there, and repeat the process until every post has been moved.

Step 3: Log out and log in with your new account

Click your profile icon or username in the top right corner of the WordPress dashboard and select Log Out. You will be taken to the WordPress login page.

Log in using your new username and the password you created in Step 1. You should now see the same dashboard, but you are logged in as the new account. Verify that all your posts are still there by clicking Posts in the sidebar.

Step 4: Delete your old user account

Now that you are logged in as your new account, go to Users in the left sidebar. You will see a list of all user accounts on your site, including your old one. Hover over the old username and click Delete.

WordPress will ask what you want to do with the posts owned by that account. Since you already moved all your posts to the new account in Step 2, select Delete all posts from this user (or the equivalent option, depending on your WordPress version). This will remove the old account without affecting your content. Click Confirm Deletion.

What to do if you cannot create a new user account

If you see a message saying you do not have permission to add users, you are not logged in as an administrator. Contact whoever set up your WordPress site and ask them to either promote your account to administrator or create the new account for you. You cannot change your username without administrator access.

If your site is hosted through WordPress.com (the hosted version, not self-hosted WordPress), the process is different. Go to your account settings, click Username, and follow WordPress.com's instructions to change it directly. You do not need to create a new account.

Updating your username in plugins and themes

Some plugins store your username in their own settings rather than pulling it from WordPress. Examples include membership plugins, email notification systems, and custom contact forms. After you change your WordPress username, check any plugins you use regularly to see if they have a field for your username and update it there if needed.

Most themes do not store your username, but if your theme displays your name or username on the site (in a bio section, author box, or byline), make sure you have filled in your Display Name field in your WordPress profile. Go to Users, click your account, and set Display Name to whatever name you want readers to see. This is separate from your login username and can be changed anytime without affecting your posts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username without creating a new account?

Not through the WordPress dashboard. The only way to change your username is to create a new account and transfer your content. Some hosting providers offer database tools that can change it directly, but this requires technical knowledge and can break your site if done incorrectly. Creating a new account is the safe method.

What happens to my old posts when I change my username?

Your posts stay on your site and remain published. When you reassign them to your new account in Step 2, WordPress updates the author information. Readers will see your new username or display name on those posts, depending on what you set in your profile.

Do I need to update my password after changing my username?

No. Your password is separate from your username. You created a new password for your new account in Step 1, so you are already using a fresh one. You can change it anytime by going to Users, clicking your account, and updating the password field.

Will changing my username affect my site's URL or links?

No. Your site's web address and all post links remain the same. Your username is only visible in the WordPress dashboard and in the author information on posts (if your theme displays it). Changing it does not break any URLs or affect how readers access your content.

What if I accidentally deleted my old account before moving all my posts?

If you deleted the old account and WordPress deleted its posts, those posts are gone. If you have a backup of your site, your hosting provider may be able to restore it. Contact your host when ready. In the future, always move posts first and delete the account second.