How to Come Up With a Cool Username or Screen Name

Need to come up with a cool username for a website, email address, screen name or social networking site?

It can be tough but read on!

Instructions

1. First, think of what your username will be for. If you are making a username for something professional then I would suggest using your full name (example: BillThompson) or your company name.

2. Perhaps, you intend to join a forum that discusses technology. Generate, then, a name based off something that you like that is common of most techies. Likewise, you would not use this name at a site where farmer's congregate.

3. If you are doing something general like Myspace, Facebook, eHow, etc, then think about yourself.

   What's your favorite song or lyric? I choose "MariaMyStar33"--it is a lyric from on of my favorite songs. I think it is a cool name, but I did not think it through, as most people who do not know who I am think I am a woman. (I'm not!)

   What is your favorite movie?

   Is there some interesting characteristic that defines you, or sets you apart from everyone else?

4. Avoid clichés including but not limited to usernames with "baby", "[insert name]'s Gurl", and in general, anything that says "I am a young female starving for the attention of boys."

   "69" is also ridiculously over used! Avoid at all costs!

5. If you can, try to make the name as unique as possible. Trite names tend to be taken in a million forms, and reduce you to have to add random numbers or letters at the end of your name to get it.

   As an experiment, try to make a Gmail account with a username that has to do with, say, "The Vampire Lestat". Virtually impossible.

Tips & Warnings

• Be unique

• Think about your favorite things, movies, music, books, activities

• What sets you apart from others?

• try to be clever; you could link a movie title with some lyric in a song in an interesting way.

• Avoid embarrassing usernames that feature things like "CuteGurlX696969", "ThickBehind22222", "BabyGurl69x69x". They make you seem starved for attention.

• Avoid names that use a lot of numbers, they are hard to remember for you, and potential clients or friends.