Your GitHub username is the name you choose when you sign up, and you can see it on your profile page or in the URL bar

When you create a GitHub account, you pick a username that becomes your public identity on the platform. This username appears in your profile URL (github.com/yourusername), on your repositories, and whenever you comment or contribute to projects. If you already have an account and need to find your username, the fastest way is to log in and look at the top right corner of the page — your username appears there, or you can click your profile picture to see it in the dropdown menu.

If you do not have a GitHub account yet, you will create a username as part of the sign-up process. The username you choose becomes permanent and cannot be changed later, though you can change the display name on your profile separately. This is why it matters to pick something you are comfortable with long-term.

Key Takeaways

  • Your GitHub username is visible in your profile URL (github.com/yourusername) and in the top right corner when you are logged in.
  • Usernames are chosen during sign-up and cannot be changed, so pick one you plan to keep.
  • GitHub usernames can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but must start with a letter or number.
  • If you forget your username, you can recover it by logging in with your email address or checking the email GitHub sent when you created the account.

Finding your username if you already have an account

Log into GitHub with your email address and password. Once you are on the home page, look at the very top right corner of the screen. You will see a small profile picture or icon — click it, and a menu will drop down showing your username at the top of the list.

Another way to find it: go to github.com/settings/profile. The URL bar will show your username in the path, and your profile page will display it prominently under your profile picture. If you have a custom display name set, your username will appear below it in smaller text.

Creating a username when you sign up

Go to github.com and click the "Sign up" button in the top right. You will be asked for an email address, a password, and a username. GitHub will check in real time whether the username is available — if the name you want is taken, you will see a red X and GitHub will suggest alternatives.

Usernames must be between 1 and 39 characters, can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, and must start with a letter or number. GitHub will not let you use a username that is already taken or that matches a reserved name (like "admin" or "api"). Once you pick an available name and finish sign-up, that username is yours.

What to do if you forgot your username

If you are logged out and cannot remember your username, go to github.com/login and enter your email address instead. GitHub will recognize your account by email and let you log in. Once you are logged in, your username will be visible in the top right corner.

If you have an old email from GitHub (such as a notification about a repository you starred or a comment on your code), that email will show your username in the sender's address or in the body of the message. You can also check your email account's search function for messages from GitHub and look for your username in those messages.

Changing your display name versus your username

GitHub allows you to change your display name (the name that appears on your profile) but not your username (the identifier in your URL). If you want a different public name, go to github.com/settings/profile and edit the "Name" field. This change does not affect your username or any links to your repositories.

If you truly need a different username, the only option is to create a new GitHub account with the username you want. Your old account and all its repositories will remain under the old username. Many people keep both accounts if they need to change their public identity, though this means managing two separate profiles.

Why your username matters

Your username is how other developers find you, how you are credited in open-source projects, and how your work is linked to you across the internet. Employers and collaborators often search for developers by username, so it is worth choosing something professional and straightforward to remember. Avoid usernames with numbers that are hard to type or spell out, and avoid names that might become embarrassing or outdated.

Once you have chosen a username, it becomes part of your professional identity on GitHub. While you cannot change it directly, you can build a strong profile and reputation under it, and you can always update your display name if you want a different public appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my GitHub username after I create it?

No, GitHub usernames cannot be changed once they are set. If you need a different username, you must create a new account. Your old account and repositories will remain under the original username.

What characters can I use in my username?

GitHub usernames can contain letters (a–z, A–Z), numbers (0–9), hyphens (-), and underscores (_). The username must start with a letter or number and be between 1 and 39 characters long.

Is my GitHub username the same as my display name?

No. Your username is the identifier in your URL (github.com/yourusername) and cannot be changed. Your display name is what appears on your profile and can be changed anytime. You can have a different display name than your username.

What if the username I want is already taken?

GitHub will show you that the name is unavailable during sign-up and suggest alternatives. You can pick a different name, add numbers or underscores to your preferred name, or try a variation. There is no way to reserve or request a taken username.

Where do I see my username after I log in?

Click your profile picture in the top right corner of any GitHub page. Your username will appear at the top of the dropdown menu. You can also visit github.com/settings/profile to see your username and other account details.