Account Guide

Etsy UsernameComplete Guide

Learn everything about your Etsy username: what it is, how it differs from your shop name, character rules, how to change it, and privacy tips.

Unique IdentifierProfile & ReviewsCan Be ChangedDifferent from Shop NamePrivacy ControlForms Your Profile URL
Shop Name GeneratorUsername vs Shop Name

Etsy Username Quick Facts

4-20
Characters
Username length limit
Unlimited
Changes
Change anytime
100%
Public
Username visibility
Instant
Updates
Changes take effect

đź“ťQuick Answer: Username vs Shop Name

Your Etsy Username is your personal account identifier. It appears on:

  • Reviews you leave on products you buy
  • Your public profile (etsy.com/people/YourUsername)
  • Favorites lists and collections
  • Community forums and Teams

Your Etsy Shop Name is your store's brand name. It appears on:

  • Your shop page (etsy.com/shop/YourShopName)
  • Product listings in search results
  • Purchase receipts and invoices
  • Anywhere your products are shown

Key difference: You can change your username anytime, but shop names can only be changed once.

Username vs Shop Name: Full Comparison

Understanding the key differences between these two identifiers

AspectUsernameShop Name
PurposePersonal account identifierBusiness/store identifier
Where It AppearsProfile, reviews you leave, favoritesSearch results, shop page, sold items
Character Limit4-20 characters4-20 characters
Allowed CharactersLetters, numbers, underscoresLetters and numbers only (no underscores)
Can Be ChangedYes, anytimeOnly ONCE per shop
URL Formatetsy.com/people/Usernameetsy.com/shop/ShopName

Pro Tip: Many sellers choose matching usernames and shop names for consistent branding. However, if privacy is a concern, keep them different.

Etsy Username Rules & Requirements

What you need to know before choosing or changing your username

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4-20 Characters

Your username must be at least 4 characters and no more than 20 characters long.

Tip: Aim for 8-15 characters for the best balance of memorable and available.

🔤

Letters, Numbers & Underscores

Only lowercase and uppercase letters (a-z, A-Z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_) are allowed.

Tip: Underscores can help separate words for readability (e.g., "Crafty_Maker").

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Must Be Unique

No two Etsy accounts can have the same username. First come, first served.

Tip: If your first choice is taken, try adding numbers or underscores.

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No Impersonation

You cannot use usernames that impersonate other users, brands, or public figures.

Tip: Avoid names similar to famous brands or people.

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Case Insensitive

Usernames are case-insensitive. "JaneDoe" and "janedoe" are considered the same.

Tip: Use capitalization for display purposes only.

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Forms Your Profile URL

Your username becomes part of your profile URL: etsy.com/people/YourUsername

Tip: Keep it clean and professional for sharing.

How to Change Your Etsy Username

Step-by-step guide to updating your account username

1

Log Into Your Etsy Account

Go to Etsy.com and sign in with your email and password.

2

Access Account Settings

Click your profile icon in the top-right corner, then select "Account settings."

3

Find Public Profile Section

Scroll to "Public profile" where your current username is displayed.

4

Click Edit

Click the "Edit" or pencil icon next to your username to enable editing.

5

Enter New Username

Type your new username following the rules (4-20 characters, letters/numbers/underscores).

6

Save Changes

Click "Save" to confirm. Your old username is immediately released for others to claim.

⚠️ Important Warning

When you change your username, your old username is immediately released and can be claimed by anyone. Any links to your old profile URL (etsy.com/people/OldUsername) will break. Choose carefully!

Privacy Tips for Your Username

Protect your identity while maintaining a professional presence

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Avoid Full Real Name

Why: Your username appears on all reviews you leave, making it publicly visible.

Instead: Use first name only, initials, or a creative nickname.

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Skip Birth Year

Why: Birth years can help identify you or guess your age.

Instead: Use random numbers or none at all.

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No Location Info

Why: Including city or state reduces anonymity.

Instead: Keep location out of your username entirely.

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Separate from Other Accounts

Why: Using the same username across platforms links your accounts.

Instead: Create a unique Etsy-specific username.

Username Do's and Don'ts

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  • •Keep it simple: Easy to spell and remember
  • •Match your brand: Align with shop name if desired
  • •Think long-term: Choose something timeless
  • •Test readability: Can others read it easily?
  • •Consider privacy: Avoid full real name if concerned

âś— Avoid This

  • •Don't use birth year: Reveals personal info
  • •Don't impersonate: No brand names or celebrities
  • •Don't use offensive words: Violates Etsy policy
  • •Don't make it too long: Gets truncated in views
  • •Don't rush the choice: Think it through first

Need Help With Your Etsy Shop Name?

Use our free shop name generator to create unique, brandable names for your Etsy store.

Shop Name GeneratorKeyword Research

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Etsy usernames answered

An Etsy username is your unique account identifier that appears on your public profile, reviews you leave, favorites, and purchases. It is NOT the same as your shop name. Your username is tied to your personal Etsy account and appears when you interact with other shops as a buyer. For example, if your username is "JaneDoe123" and your shop name is "VintageFindsShop," buyers see your shop name when purchasing from you, but sellers see your username when you leave reviews on their products.
Your Etsy username is your personal account identifier (shown on reviews, favorites, and your profile). Your shop name is your store's brand name (shown to buyers in search results and your shop page). Key differences: (1) Username is for your personal account, shop name is for your business. (2) Username appears on reviews you leave, shop name appears on products you sell. (3) Username can be changed in account settings, shop name can only be changed once. (4) You can have one username but multiple shops (with different shop names).
To change your Etsy username: (1) Log into your Etsy account. (2) Click your account icon in the top right. (3) Select "Account settings." (4) Under "Public profile," click "Edit" next to your username. (5) Enter your new username. (6) Click "Save." Note: Your new username must be unique across Etsy, contain only letters, numbers, and underscores, and be between 4-20 characters. Your old username becomes available for others to claim, so choose carefully.
Etsy username rules: (1) Must be 4-20 characters long. (2) Can contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and underscores (_). (3) No spaces, hyphens, or special characters allowed. (4) Must be unique across all Etsy accounts. (5) Cannot impersonate other users or brands. (6) Cannot contain offensive or inappropriate content. (7) Cannot include trademarked terms you do not own. Your username forms part of your profile URL: etsy.com/people/YourUsername.
Yes, your Etsy username is publicly visible in several places: (1) Your public profile page (etsy.com/people/YourUsername). (2) Reviews you leave on products you purchased. (3) Your favorites and lists (if set to public). (4) Purchases (visible to sellers). (5) Community forums and Teams. If privacy is a concern, avoid using your full real name as your username. You can use a nickname, initials, or a creative pseudonym instead.
Tips for choosing a good Etsy username: (1) Keep it simple and memorable—easy to type and spell. (2) Avoid personal information like birth year or full name if privacy matters. (3) Make it consistent with your shop name or brand if you are a seller. (4) Keep it short—longer usernames get truncated in some views. (5) Avoid numbers that look like substitutions (like "l33t" speak). (6) Test that it looks professional—remember it appears on all your reviews.
To find someone's Etsy username: (1) Look at reviews they left on products—their username appears next to their review. (2) Search their profile URL: etsy.com/people/[username]. (3) If they are a seller, their username may be the same as their shop name (but not always). (4) Check Etsy Teams or community forums where they participate. (5) Look at public favorites lists. Note: If someone has made their profile private, their username may not be easily discoverable.
No, your username and display name are different. Your username is your unique account identifier (used in URLs and cannot be duplicated). Your display name (or "name" in profile settings) is what appears on your profile and can be your real name or any name you choose. Example: Username might be "CraftyMaker123" while display name is "Sarah Johnson." Both are visible publicly but serve different purposes. You can change both in your account settings.
When you change your Etsy username: (1) Your old username immediately becomes available for anyone else to claim. (2) Links to your old profile URL (etsy.com/people/OldUsername) will stop working. (3) Your old reviews and activity now show your new username. (4) There is no redirect from your old username to your new one. (5) You cannot reserve or hold your old username. Choose changes carefully, especially if you have external links to your profile.
Yes, you can have the same username and shop name, and many sellers do this for brand consistency. However, they are not automatically linked—you must manually set them to be the same. Benefits: Easier for customers to remember, consistent branding, simpler to share. Drawback: Less privacy separation between your personal account and business. Note: If your shop name is taken, the matching username may also be taken (and vice versa).
If you cannot change your Etsy username, common reasons include: (1) Your desired username is already taken. (2) The username contains prohibited characters (only letters, numbers, underscores allowed). (3) The username is too short (minimum 4 characters) or too long (maximum 20). (4) It contains trademarked or offensive terms. (5) Technical issues—try clearing cache or using a different browser. (6) Your account may have restrictions. Contact Etsy Support if you continue having issues.
Using your real name as your Etsy username has trade-offs. Pros: Personal touch, easy to remember, builds trust for handmade sellers. Cons: Privacy concerns (your name appears on all reviews), harder to separate personal and business identity, may limit future branding options. Recommendation: If privacy matters, use a nickname, first name only, or creative pseudonym. If you are building a personal brand as an artist or maker, your real name can add authenticity.

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Information accurate as of January 2026. Etsy may update their policies and features. Always check Etsy's official help center for the most current information on account settings and username requirements.

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