While you may think that coming up with a memorable Instagram username is a minor detail, it’s actually one of the key components when it comes to establishing your brand. This goes for those of you who are choosing a handle to promote a business or yourself.
To be fair, standing out on any social media platform is no easy feat, especially when you consider the billions of active accounts all across the globe! With that said, how can you come up with an amazing username that will grab everyone’s attention and is also easy to remember? More importantly, how can you make it unique?
For starters, you can check out our tips on how to create a catchy Instagram username. But first, let’s explain what an Instagram username is, and what it’s used for.
What Is an Instagram Username?
An Instagram username or handle is unique to you. While you can expect to see something similar to yours at some point, no two handles can be exactly the same.
When it comes to your Instagram name, it’s what you use in order to register your account. For instance, it can just be your first and last name.
With that said, it’s easy for people to confuse handles with Instagram names, but they’re not the same thing. The main difference between the two is that, unlike a handle, your Instagram name likely won’t be unique.
What Is an Instagram Username Used For?
An Instagram username has multiple purposes. For example, when someone wants to tag you in a photo, story, or video, they’ll use your handle and not your Instagram name.
Furthermore, your handle creates a link to your Instagram profile. This means that if you decide to change it, your URL will also change.
However, bear in mind that once you decide to make a new username, you won’t be able to change it again for some time. More specifically, two weeks will need to pass before you can do so.
Create an Amazing Instagram Name
Now let’s roll up our sleeves and find you an Instagram handle! Here are our main tips to get you on the right track.
1. Simple and to the Point
It’s no secret that people tend to choose abstract usernames in order to seem more mysterious, but that’s not always practical. Keep in mind that you want to intrigue people and not confuse them. So, you should first consider the purpose of your Instagram and the type of followers you want to attract.
Also, bear in mind that:
- You can use up to thirty characters for your username. However, try not to use all of them as the longer and more complicated the words, the easier they are to misspell;
- Consider using a nickname, especially if your name is difficult to spell;
- Don’t add any unnecessary punctuation. Viewers can have a hard time remembering where to place underscores, periods, etc.
2. Use the Right Words
Although keeping your Instagram username simple will help people remember it easily, you need to consider making it catchy as well. A good idea is to first choose your keyword and then maybe add one or two more words around it.
So, for example, if you want to center your account around your pet dog, you can use its name as the keyword and add its breed to complete the handle. Or, let’s say you’re an aspiring make-up artist. Put your name as the keyword and add MUA.
3. Consistency Is Key
Once you’ve decided on a username, there’s one more aspect to consider ㅡ availability. Namely, to use the desired handle, you need to make sure it’s also available on other social media platforms so your viewers can easily find your content on Facebook, TikTok, etc.
Another thing to note is that if you’re set on a username that’s already taken by another creator, you should consider adding something that differentiates you from that other account. This is one of those times that adding an underscore might do the trick. And if that doesn’t work, you could resort to adding “the” in front of your handle.
4. Think About Your Long-Term Goals
If you want your Instagram to focus on your daily activities, then it’s a good idea to include your name in the handle. This way, viewers will immediately know they are following a personal account rather than a brand.
On the other hand, if your main goal is to establish a following and then rebrand as, for example, a make-up influencer, you’ll be better off keeping your username a bit more anonymous. This will make the rebranding process a lot easier.
Ideas and Examples to Help You Create a Username
We hope you’ve found these tips useful, but if you’re still having a hard time deciding on a name, here are a few more suggestions:
- Your favorite color + a plant
Examples:
- the pink cactus (the_pink_cactus)
- orange lilly(orange.lilly)
- black orchid (blackorchid)
- silver rose (silver_rose)
- the blue willow (thebluewillow)
- Your nickname + your favorite hobby
Examples:
- Sophie the singer (sophie_the_singer)
- Chris likes to bake (chrislikestobake)
- Sasha the gamer (sasha_thegamer)
- Beth’s crochet projects (beths_crochet.projects)
- Your name/or nickname + a word that rhymes with it
Examples:
- Jess is a mess (jessisamess)
- Bailey posts daily (bailey_posts_daily)
- Stephen is uneven (stephenis.uneven)
- Christine the machine (christinethemachine)
- Your name + what you do/your brand
Examples:
- Molly the nail artist (molly_thenailartist)
- Justine’s bakery (justines_bakery)
- Samantha does DIY (samantha.does_diy)
- Billy the dog groomer (billy.the.dog_groomer)
- Heather the MUA (heather.the.mua)
These are just some examples so you get an idea of what a username should look like. Mainly, you should stick to words that represent you or your brand in some way. And if you happen to need more inspiration, you can also brainstorm some ideas using a username generator.
Bolster your Instagram prowess with Buzzoid. Buy Instagram followers, likes and views.
