To ask why people admit they've name changed...

[Writerwannabe83]

And also why they do it?

Is it because you don't want people to search for and look through previous posts you have written under your long term username?

I don't understand the concept of changing your name to appear to be another member but then admit you aren't who your username says you are. Does it not defeat the purpose?

BTW - I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I'm just genuinely confused

So they won't be accused of being a troll that is why

Caitlin177 but why change yours to that particular one? It's only one number different from another name.

No wonder people keep name changing

???. Any reason for picking *Caitlin177"

( posted by Phaedra being open about having until about a week ago used Caitlin17 )

I've name changed a few times because I've posted quite sensitive stuff about my family and I don't want them looking at my laptop and figuring out I'm asking things about them.

I head up that I've name changed so people don't automatically assume I'm a troll but like many others I absolutely loathe that shitey disclaimer about "pom bears/naice ham/penis beaker". I don't understand what any of these things are and have no intention of finding out.

I thought it was really odd that you could change your name on Mumsnet. You can't do it on things like Digital Spy.

It does encourage sock puppetry though. I saw one a couple of weeks ago who managed to out herself mid thread by forgetting to change back to the OP name she'd used. It was really funny.

I saw that too sillystring where OP outed herself!

MN have deleted many threads for people who do sock puppetry. One of mine got deleted ecause someone else was doing it, it was pretty obvious though

I can't stand the Pom bears etc statement either,

^^ lol

If I've had a similar upsetting experience I don't always want to make it obvious to others that it's me who's been there too.

Phaedra I think Caitlin is being very gracious ignoring you. It's just a username. If anyone confuses the two of you (which is unlikely after this thread, and also because you're going by a different name now), you can just correct them.

EasyWhiteChocolate It seems a very odd name to choose, given the usual wildly imaginative user names most people pick.

EatShit I love your name. I would steal it if it wasn't completely against MN etiquette

I NC after first registering, as I used a name that was very similar to a regular poster. I didn't know that until I saw her posting.

Some of the usernames do make me laugh

That's great Eat

Only read OP.

I've been posting under this name for literally years - but have within that time twice used other names to start a thread.

Two reasons,
1 my DH knows my usual name and i needed to post about something sensitive to do with our relationship. He knows i did this.

2 - because for so long i've been posting very honestly under my usual username i don't actually feel that annonymous anymore. A thread under a new name feels a little more private.

I have my normal user name (the one i am using now) which makes me easily identifiable in RL. I have another user name which i use from time to time which i use to post about really sensitive stuff. Stuff i could not ever have linked to my usual user name. I never say when i have name changed. I just use the other user name.

I'm pretty sure only my DD1 knows my 'name' and I kind of know one of hers, but my memory is so bad I'd get it wrong anyway, so if you're reading this pet, don't worry.

I did think about name changing for a couple of things, but I have enough trouble remembering to start with.... IYSWIM.
If I post anything 'personal' and she realises, well, it good for DC to know their parents are still at it I'm still human in my dotage. I also try to steer clear of 'hot' topics for which I can be flamed for.

I namechange every few months or so. My Mom is a prolific internet sleuth and I do NOT want her all up in my bizness. We're super-close, can you tell? . I think the need/desire for anonymity and privacy are very individual; some posters like being 'known' and recognized, others prefer to fly under the radar but still want to debate/banter/discuss trivial and inane matters. I think there's room for all of us and MNHQ can tell if you're name NC-ing specifically for the purpose of being an asshole, so it's all good, surely?

I don't understand why people criticise or question others for name changing. People have listed so many good reasons for name changing, most people do not want to be outed so name changing can hopefully prevent that

Just to let people know that Caitlin177 has been utterly vile to a poster who's baby was born sleeping at 34 weeks.

I do not wish for Caitlin17 (now PhaedraIsMyName due to vile poster nicking her name) to be associated with Caitlin177 as they are not the same poster.