Where to find your username if you're already logged in

If you're signed into GitHub, your username appears in the top right corner of any page. Click the profile icon (a small circle with your avatar or initials) and your username will be listed at the top of the dropdown menu that appears. This is the fastest way to confirm what you're using right now.

You can also go directly to your profile page by clicking "Your profile" in that same dropdown. The URL in your browser's address bar will show github.com/yourusername — everything after the last slash is your username. This is the exact name you use to log in and the name others use to find your public profile.

Key Takeaways

  • Your username appears in the top right profile dropdown when you're logged into GitHub.
  • Your profile URL shows your username: github.com/yourusername is the format GitHub always uses.
  • If you've forgotten your username, you can recover it by entering your email address on the login page.
  • Your username is different from your display name — the username is what appears in URLs and is used to mention you in comments.

Recovering your username if you're logged out

Go to github.com and click "Sign in" in the top right. On the login page, you'll see a link that says "Forgot password?" — click that. Enter the email address associated with your GitHub account, and GitHub will send you a password reset email.

When you click the reset link in that email, you'll be taken to a page where you can set a new password. Before you do, look at the URL in your browser's address bar or the page itself — it often displays your username as part of the recovery process. If it doesn't appear there, reset your password, log in, and use the method from the section above to find your username in the top right dropdown.

The difference between username and display name

GitHub lets you set two different names. Your username is permanent and appears in your profile URL (github.com/yourusername). It's what you use to log in and what others type when they mention you in comments or issues. Your display name is what shows up next to your avatar in comments and on your profile — you can change this anytime without affecting your username or any links to your profile.

If you see a name on your profile that doesn't match what you remember, that's likely your display name. Your actual username is always in the URL or in the top right dropdown. This matters because if someone sends you a link to your profile or mentions you in a comment, they're using your username, not your display name.

Finding someone else's username

If you need to find another person's GitHub username, visit their profile page. The URL will be github.com/theirusername — that's their username. You can also see it displayed prominently at the top of their profile page, usually next to their avatar and display name.

If you only know their display name or real name, you can search for them using GitHub's search bar at the top of any page. Type their name and GitHub will show matching profiles. Click on the profile you're looking for, and the URL will show you their username.

What your username is used for

Your username is the public identifier for everything you do on GitHub. When you create a repository, its URL includes your username: github.com/yourusername/repositoryname. When someone mentions you in an issue or pull request, they type @yourusername. When you contribute to open source projects, your username appears in the commit history and on your profile as proof of your work.

Because your username is so visible, many people choose something professional or neutral. You can't change your username without losing access to repositories and having old links break, so GitHub makes it possible but discourages it. If you need to change yours, GitHub's settings page has an option under "Account", but be aware that old profile links will stop working.

Checking your username in GitHub settings

Click your profile icon in the top right and select "Settings". On the left sidebar, click "Account". Near the top of the page, you'll see a field labeled "Username" — this shows exactly what you're using. You cannot edit this field directly; it's read-only unless you go through GitHub's process to change it, which they discourage.

This settings page is also where you can change your display name, add a bio, set your location, and adjust other profile details. Your username itself stays the same unless you deliberately request a change through GitHub's account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username?

Yes, but GitHub discourages it. You can change your username in Settings under Account, but all old links to your profile and repositories will break. Anyone who bookmarked your profile or shared a link to your work will find a dead link. Existing commits and contributions stay attached to your account, but the URLs change.

Is my username the same as my email address?

No. Your email address is what you use to log in along with your password, but your username is separate. You can have multiple email addresses on your GitHub account, but you only have one username. Your username is public; your email address may or may not be, depending on your privacy settings.

What if I see a username I don't recognize in my account?

That's not possible — you only have one username per account. If you're seeing a different name on your profile, that's your display name, which you can change anytime. If you think someone else has access to your account, change your password when ready and check your account settings for any unauthorized changes.

Can two people have the same username?

No. GitHub usernames are unique across the entire platform. If the username you want is taken, you'll need to choose a different one. You can search for a username by visiting github.com/username to see if it's available.