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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how many times you name change

166 replies

pinkfishbluefish · 27/01/2023 18:15

Just to be nosey

I have 10+ usernames (I think) and switch between some of them for different things, like different boards or just if the mood takes me, never to deliberately try and deceive.

I do it mainly so that if anyone IRL recognises a post, they can’t see my other posting history and confirm it’s me ie ‘pink fish has two dogs, a son who’s privately schooled’ etc it wouldn’t take long to put things together.

AIBU to name change often? Does anyone else change very regularly or usually stick to one?

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 27/01/2023 19:20

I’ve had three. I’ve had this one for ever. If I get recognised I really don’t care.

DashingWhiteSergeant · 27/01/2023 19:21

Once a month or so; I miss some of my old names

Bellalalala · 27/01/2023 19:21

I change quite often. Exh still enjoys trying to track me down on here. He managed a couple of times. Name changing stops it happening.

ShowOfHands · 27/01/2023 19:23

dew141 · 27/01/2023 19:20

I thought premium users could search and it pulled up all your previous usernames? At least, some posters seem to know what previous names posters posted under.

I really don't think that's a thing!

Testino · 27/01/2023 19:23

dew141 · 27/01/2023 19:20

I thought premium users could search and it pulled up all your previous usernames? At least, some posters seem to know what previous names posters posted under.

No they can't. Only MNHQ can see posters' usernames.

Testino · 27/01/2023 19:24

DashingWhiteSergeant · 27/01/2023 19:21

Once a month or so; I miss some of my old names

You can go back to them, you know? Your username is permanently yours even if you start using a new one, so you can change back anytime.

ShinyMe · 27/01/2023 19:25

Testino · 27/01/2023 19:17

You'll soon get those who tell you they've always had one name and have been using mumsnet since 1813.

I believe those people have the regular, well-known name and their namechanges.

I use the same names for same sort of topics until I'm bored and need a change or something happens and I have to change or I feel I've become easily targeted or I randomly find inspiration for a new name somehow.

Sorry, but I genuinely have never been bothered to change it.

mamabear715 · 27/01/2023 19:26

Never, can't be bothered, highly likely people who know me would figure out my username, don't care! I don't say anything that I wouldn't say in real life.

Sux2buthen · 27/01/2023 19:27

If I'm doing a serious post about my kids or something. I don't want serious things linked and thrown at me on other threads

Quebeccles · 27/01/2023 19:28

I have loads. I change between names on a whim, mostly, but there are a few boards/very long-running threads where I always use the same name. For casual commenting I'll just pick one of my names, whatever takes my fancy.

Blondeshavemorefun · 27/01/2023 19:28

Never

Been blondes for maybe 16yrs

dew141 · 27/01/2023 19:29

"No they can't. Only MNHQ can see posters' usernames."

That's interesting. So how do they do it?** In terms of knowing posts under previous names. Good knowledge of personal circumstances?

mrsbyers · 27/01/2023 19:29

Never but as I have my surname on here I’d be easy to recognise - a friend twigged straight away who I was but I don’t tend to post anything about friends or family so no worries

DulcetTones · 27/01/2023 19:30

No idea how many times I've name-changed, but I may have re-used an old one once. Normally, once it's done, it's done. Sometimes it's because I don't want to be recognised, but more often I'm just ready for a different name.

gravyriceandchips · 27/01/2023 19:33

Loads

OriGanOver · 27/01/2023 19:33

Pretty regularly. My dd hunts for me on here fgs

Testino · 27/01/2023 19:33

dew141 · 27/01/2023 19:29

"No they can't. Only MNHQ can see posters' usernames."

That's interesting. So how do they do it?** In terms of knowing posts under previous names. Good knowledge of personal circumstances?

Who? MNHQ or posters who do this?

If you mean posters who seem to know: Some people guess. Some trawl though posts and search for users they may think sound similar. Some will know information if the poster didn't change their name, so a search will reveal other posts in that name.

ilovesooty · 27/01/2023 19:34

Never. Don't care if I'm identified anyway. I don't think I've ever posted anything where it would be an issue.

Andrelaxzz · 27/01/2023 19:36

All the time. I recognised a few people on here off one message!

MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 19:37

I don’t but I don’t post overly personal stuff or anything I care about people knowing

elQuintoConyo · 27/01/2023 19:37

I changed once, in 2012. I love this name!

Testino · 27/01/2023 19:38

If I've never changed my name, I wouldn't feel drawn to threads asking others how many times they changed their names. It simply wouldn't occur to me to contribute to the thread because I couldn't relate but horses for courses I suppose.

GoChasingWaterfalls · 27/01/2023 19:38

Loads. I've been here since it was all fields and I've had loads of usernames. I don't want anyone finding me in real life!

ilovesooty · 27/01/2023 19:38

Testino · 27/01/2023 19:38

If I've never changed my name, I wouldn't feel drawn to threads asking others how many times they changed their names. It simply wouldn't occur to me to contribute to the thread because I couldn't relate but horses for courses I suppose.

And others feel differently.

MarshaBradyo · 27/01/2023 19:39

Testino · 27/01/2023 19:38

If I've never changed my name, I wouldn't feel drawn to threads asking others how many times they changed their names. It simply wouldn't occur to me to contribute to the thread because I couldn't relate but horses for courses I suppose.

Why? One option is zero times the question doesn’t say you must do it

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