Yes, you can change your display name on Reddit, but your username has limits

Reddit lets you change your display name (the name that appears next to your posts) as many times as you want. Your username (the permanent handle in your profile URL) cannot be changed once you create it—that one is locked in. Most people use "display name" and "username" interchangeably, but Reddit treats them as separate things, and understanding the difference saves frustration.

If you want a different username, you will need to create a new account. If you only want to change how your name appears to other users, you can do that in your account settings in under a minute.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Reddit username cannot be changed after account creation, so creating a new account is the only way to get a different username.
  • Your display name (the visible name next to your posts) can be changed anytime in your account settings under Profile.
  • Changing your display name does not affect your username, which stays the same in your profile URL and behind the scenes.
  • If you switch to a new account, your old account remains active unless you delete it, and your post history stays attached to the old username.

How to change your display name right now

Open Reddit on desktop or mobile and go to your profile. On desktop, click your avatar in the top right corner and select "User Settings." On mobile, tap your avatar and select "Settings and privacy," then "Account settings." Look for the "Display name" field under the Profile section.

Type in the new name you want to use. Reddit allows display names up to 30 characters and does not require them to be unique—multiple users can have the same display name. Click "Save" and the change takes effect when ready. Your new display name will appear next to all your posts and comments going forward, including old ones.

Why you cannot change your username

Your username is baked into Reddit's system from the moment you create your account. It appears in your profile URL (reddit.com/user/yourname), in your inbox, and in the backend of every post and comment you make. Changing it would break links, mess up search results, and create confusion about who posted what.

Reddit has chosen not to offer username changes, unlike platforms such as Twitter or Discord. This is a permanent design decision, not a temporary limitation. If you absolutely need a different username, the only path is to create a new account and start fresh.

What happens to your old account if you create a new one

Creating a new account does not delete or disable your old one. Your old account stays active, and all your posts and comments remain visible under your old username. You can log back into it anytime. If you want to remove your old account from public view, you can delete it, but deletion is permanent—Reddit does not restore deleted accounts.

Before you delete an old account, consider that your post history will be erased. If you have contributed to communities or discussions you want to keep visible, deletion removes all of that. Some people keep old accounts dormant instead, straightforward switching to a new one for future activity.

Moving your karma and reputation to a new account

Reddit does not transfer karma (the points you earn from upvotes) between accounts. If you have built up karma on an old account and switch to a new one, you start at zero. Your subreddit moderator status, saved posts, and subscribed communities also do not transfer.

This is one reason people often hesitate to create a new account—the investment in an old account (karma, mod roles, saved content) does not move with you. If your only goal is a different display name, changing that setting is much simpler than abandoning an established account.

Display name vs. username: what other users see

When someone views your profile or sees your posts, they see your display name first. If you hover over or click your name, they can see your username. In your own settings, you can see both clearly labeled. The display name is what most casual readers notice; the username is what appears in URLs and technical contexts.

If you change your display name, people who know your old display name might not recognize you at first, but your username stays the same, so anyone who looks at your profile URL will see it is still you. This is useful if you want a fresh public identity without losing your account history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use special characters or spaces in my display name?

Reddit allows letters, numbers, underscores, and hyphens in display names. Spaces are not allowed. Special characters like @, #, or $ will not work. Your display name must be between 3 and 30 characters.

If I change my display name, will old posts show the new name or the old one?

All your posts and comments, including old ones, will show your new display name. Reddit updates the display retroactively across your entire history. Your username never changes, so anyone looking at your profile URL will still see the original username.

Can I reserve a username before creating an account?

No. Usernames are assigned when you create an account, and you cannot hold a username without an active account. If a username you want is taken, you will need to choose a different one or create an account with a variation.

What if someone else has the display name I want?

Display names do not have to be unique on Reddit, so you can use the same display name as someone else. Multiple accounts can share the same display name without conflict. Your username is what makes your account distinct.

Can I change my username by contacting Reddit support?

No. Reddit support does not offer username changes under any circumstance. The username is a permanent part of your account design. If you need a different username, creating a new account is your only option.