What’s in a (Instagram) name, hey? It’s the thing people will type in the search bar to find you, so it’s potentially the first thing prospective followers may judge you on. It’s also the thing people who are looking for you will have to remember.
Even if it seems like a small detail, choosing the right username on Instagram can make a real difference. A good one will make you a creator who is easier to search for and tell people about, and it will also help build your personal brand. “Your username plays a big role in how others interact with your content,” writes Instagram growth tool Upleap. “It appears everywhere – in your profile link, tags, search results, comments, and messages. A well-crafted username helps people understand who you are at a glance.”
There’s one catch: Your dream username may already be taken. But don’t worry – there are still plenty of ways to come up with a handle that’s original and unmistakably you. Here are some of the best ways to pick an Instagram username.
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Short and simple
These are all basic usernames based on your name, so they tell people exactly who you are with no frills attached. “Creating a username which directly reflects your name helps others recognise you in their memory when they encounter you,” Barbara Wintergreen writes for radio station Phoenix98:
- @firstnamelastname
- @itsfirstname
- @firstname.lastname
- @itsfirstnamelastname
- @createdbyfirstname
- @madebyfirstname
- @madebyfirstnamelastname
- @createdbyfirstnamelastname
- @firstnamecollective
- @firstname_lastname
- @firstnamelastname1
Try to avoid adding long strings of numbers – a word like “collective” is far easier to remember. “If your first choice is taken, add a variation [like] a professional suffix...or a related niche keyword,” adds social media advice platform Social Rescue.
Playing into your niche
These templates go a little further than the basics; they tell people what you actually do. If you’re a writer, fitness guru, or nail technician, for instance, you may want to put that into your handle. Here are some ideas that can be swapped around and personalised:
12. @firstnamefitness
13. @firstnamereviews
14. @firstnameeats
15. @firstname.lastnamecooks
16. @cookingwithfirstname
17. @firstnamedoesnails
18. @firstname.lastnamedesigns
19. @firstname.studios
Here are some real-life examples of this style:
20. @mickeyjotheatre
21. @seemagetsbaked
22. @sopthefoodie
23. @johngreenwritesbooks
24. @livcycles
Branching out
Some creators choose to select an Instagram handle that has nothing to do with their name. The key here is to select something tied to your niche, but still memorable. Choose wisely and it could even make your profile more memorable.
25. @cripandip is a food influencer.
26. @healthycrazycool posts healthy vegan recipes, as well as fitness content.
27. @shetravelledtheworld posts travel content.
28. @nospaceinmypassport is a London-based travel creator.
Credit: Kaspars Grinvalds/Shuttertock
It’s easy to remember
If someone hears your username once, they should be able to type it into Instagram without thinking too hard. Short handles tend to stick in people’s minds more easily than long, complicated ones.
It’s easy to spell
Creative spellings can look unique, but they can also make it difficult for new followers to find you. Unless there’s a good reason, stick with standard spellings.
It reflects your brand or who you are
Think about the type of content you want to create. A travel creator may include words such as “wanders” or “explores,” while a photographer could use “photo,” “studio,” or “films.”
You can use it on multiple platforms
It is a good idea to check whether your username is available on other platforms (TikTok, X, YouTube) as well, because, ideally, you want your entire online presence to wear it. Why? Because it’ll make you more searchable.
It’s short
The fewer characters people have to remember, the better. If you can remove an extra word without losing meaning, do it. “If your followers can’t type it easily, they won’t search for it,” cautions AI sales tool Dealism.
Your username matters. It makes you searchable and it may become the name people refer to you as – if they only know you online. Just remember: You don’t need to think too far outside the box. For IG usernames, simple usually works best.