Your username is the name you chose when you created your GitHub account

Your GitHub username is the short name that appears in your profile URL and on every repository you create. If you set up your account years ago and haven't logged in recently, or if you're trying to find someone else's username, there are several straightforward ways to locate it.

The fastest method is to log into your GitHub account. Once you're signed in, your username appears in the top-right corner of the page next to your profile picture. If you're already logged in and looking at your profile, the username is the text that comes after github.com/ in your browser's address bar.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username appears in the top-right corner when you're logged in, and in your profile URL after github.com/
  • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the GitHub login page to reset it with your email address.
  • You can search for repositories or projects you remember creating to find your username through the repository owner field.
  • GitHub usernames are case-insensitive when you use them in URLs, but they display exactly as you typed them in your profile.
  • If you no longer have access to your account email, contact GitHub Support through their help portal for account recovery.

Check your GitHub profile URL

The simplest way to see your username is to visit your profile page directly. Log into GitHub, then click your profile picture in the top-right corner and select "Your profile" from the dropdown menu. The page that loads shows your username prominently at the top, and the URL in your browser's address bar will be github.com/yourusername.

If you're already on a repository or project page you created, look at the URL. The username always comes right after github.com/ and before the repository name. For example, if the URL is github.com/sarah-chen/weather-app, then sarah-chen is the username.

Use the password reset page if you're locked out

If you can't remember your password and can't log in, go to github.com and click "Sign in". On the sign-in page, click "Forgot password?" and enter the email address associated with your account. GitHub will send you a password reset link to that email.

Once you've reset your password and logged back in, your username will be visible in the top-right corner. This method works even if you haven't used your account in years, as long as you still have access to the email address you registered with.

Search for your own repositories

If you remember creating a specific project or repository, you can search for it on GitHub and find your username through the repository details. Go to github.com/search and type the name of a repository you created. When the results appear, click on the repository name and look at the URL or the repository header — the owner's name is your username.

This approach is useful if you have multiple GitHub accounts or if you're trying to remember which account you used for a particular project. The repository owner field always shows the username clearly.

Contact GitHub Support for account recovery

If you don't remember your email address, can't access your registered email anymore, or believe your account has been compromised, GitHub Support can help you recover your account. Visit github.com/contact and select "Account and profile" from the category menu, then choose "Trouble signing in" or "Account recovery".

Fill out the form with as much information as you remember about your account — the email you think you used, when you created it, or repositories you worked on. GitHub Support typically responds within a few business days. Have any documentation ready, such as emails from GitHub or receipts from GitHub purchases if you've made any.

Understand how usernames work on GitHub

GitHub usernames are permanent once you create them, though you can change them in your account settings. When you change your username, GitHub redirects your old profile URL to your new one for a period of time, but the old username becomes available for someone else to claim.

Usernames are case-insensitive in URLs — github.com/SarahChen and github.com/sarahchen both lead to the same profile — but GitHub displays your username exactly as you typed it when you created the account. This means your username might contain uppercase letters, hyphens, or numbers, and those will show up in your profile and on your repositories.

Find someone else's GitHub username

If you're looking for another person's GitHub username, start with a direct search on github.com/search. Type their name or email address in the search box and filter results to show only users. GitHub will display matching profiles with their usernames.

You can also search for repositories you know they've contributed to. Open the repository, click the "Contributors" tab, and look through the list. Each contributor's username is clickable and leads to their profile. If you know their full name or company, searching for repositories with those keywords often surfaces their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes. Log into your account, click your profile picture, select "Settings", then choose "Account" from the left menu. Under "Change username", enter your new username and click "Change username". GitHub will redirect your old profile URL to the new one for a limited time, but the old username becomes available for others to use.

What if I see a username I want but it's taken?

If a username is already in use, you cannot claim it. You can only use usernames that are available. Try variations with hyphens, numbers, or different spelling. If the account appears abandoned, you cannot request it — GitHub does not reassign usernames from inactive accounts.

Is my GitHub username the same as my display name?

No. Your username is the unique identifier in your profile URL, while your display name is what appears on your profile page and in comments. You can change your display name anytime without affecting your username or any repositories. Many people use their real name as their display name but keep a different username.

Can I find my username if I only remember my email?

If you can log into the email account associated with your GitHub profile, reset your password using the "Forgot password?" link on the sign-in page. Once you're logged in, your username appears in the top-right corner. If you no longer have access to that email, contact GitHub Support for account recovery.

Do usernames expire or get deleted?

Usernames don't expire on their own. If you delete your GitHub account, the username becomes available for someone else to use after a short waiting period. If you straightforward stop using your account, the username remains yours indefinitely unless you manually delete the account.