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Usernames are a vital part of owning any account on any site. Its something personal, and an identity that cannot be replaced. So why are there so many not-so-good usernames out there? Another problem is the constant change of usernames. Its hard to keep track of your friends if you can’t find out what they’re called. This topic is to help inspire newcomers in finding a suitable username.

Some common ones that I see continually on this site are :

-Baltolover4ever

-SteeleHater1818

-KodiandDustyFan

-Balto 3928328328328328328328

And similar

But the problems with those names, are that it lacks identity. Personally, I have a tendency to make a nickname from the given username. Sooner or later, its what you become recognized as. Calling yourself Balto-insertnumberhere-, doesn’t really tell me anything. Its not like we can call you Balto. There of hundreds of others with that sort of name. Including the reason of this website.
So here are some ideas on how to think up of a username that is personal, special, and suitable for yourself. I’ll be using my own experience and some other examples of fellow members.

First off, here are some things to avoid when thinking up of a new username.
-Numbers

-Hater

-Lover

-Fan

-forever/4 ever

- xxxxx_xXx_xxx_XXX

-Anything that shows you are a “fan” of something, should be avoided. You are a fan of Balto, so what? So are everyone who is on this site. Look around darnit! In case you haven’t already noticed.

Now, I’m going to share how I came to finding my username. I’m not trying to bore you or anything, but it could be helpful.
For those who knew me long enough, my first real username was CatWings. I chose this form the Cat Wings series, since it was-and still is- my all time favorite books. I have a small history, making it personal. I also had a feline fursona, so the name addressed it slightly.
Eventually it grew old and I was in period where I needed change. During that time also, I had discovered my love for Zuko, from Avatar the Last Airbender. He really impressed me as a character, so I renamed myself CatLuvsZuko. About a year later, I realized that I was no longer content with my name. I sounded like a fangirl, and I didn’t like the initials CLZ. But I did like it when I was called “Zuko” on occasion. So I changed my name “ZukotheCat” and its something that I’m certain I’ll keep forever.

Here are some other stories on how people chose their username. Note that these individuals haven’t changed their names at all. Lets see why

Greykitty
Why my screen name, well Oliver is the reason for my name. I wanted to use it as my e-mail because it represented me, people would know it from real life, and it also was kind of a dedication to him. Silly maybe but eh. I used to toss my birth year at the end but I hate numbers in names so I dropped it in 2003.

After I made my e-mail I started to get involved with online communities, and one of the first was the Balto fandom. I was always roaming around the Icy Boards, the Ice Cave, Fluke's Balto Tribute, and then I made my own site, Star's Haven. Everyone out there had dog names, or something relating to Balto and I didn't want some common run of the mill name and I was the only person that had a cat character at the time. So I kept with it cause it was unique and stood out.

After I started establishing myself online I never wanted to change my sn because I was known by it all over the place. People recognize it as me. Psh people in real life even call me GK sometimes. Which amuses me a bit.

I also started using the name Mithmëoi, which was basically due to my Lord of the Rings obsession when the movies came out.
I wanted a name that sounded more serious when I had my LotR site and was on a lot of forums about it, which in all reality it's not. All that name is, is Grey Cat in Elvish. And since it was unique and had never been used online before, I re-named my personal site to it, and then later bought the domain.

CatWhoHas14Tails
My username was based off a book called Cat Who Had 14 Tales, which was out of a series of "Cat Who" books. I read them when I was about 12 or 13 and picked it cuz I figured a literal version of the title would make for a good alias. No one else had it, cuz I didn't have to add extra numbers or stupid X's in my name to "make it different". And people have known me by it ever since, and it made sense to just keep the name to prevent confusion. I did still LIKE the name after all xD

Dragon Tamer
The reason for my username is really pretty simple. A lot of people see dragons as mythical icons of evil, basically Hell incarnate. But the way I see it, chances are they actually existed (it's a long story, but it all adds up). And if they were, then it's nonsense to say they were evil, any more than any other animal (albeit, they were exceptionally powerful ones). Ergo, if ne became a problem, one could hypothetically turn that powr to a positive venue, tantamount to taming it.

I see writers and artists the same way; they are exceptionally powerful, often more so than they realize. I mean, just look at history. eonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa has held the minds of millions for centuries. Photographers and cameramen awaken people to problems in society, from corrupt politics to starving children. And writers? Well, take a look at Adolph Hitler. For every word of his book Mein Kamphf (sp?), millions of people died. He in turn was a fan of another author by the name of Charles Darwin. On the other end of things, you have John Bunyan, author of the classic Pilgrim's Progress.

Long story short, authors and artists are like dragons. Very powerful, but prone to go astray. That's where I come in. I do my best, when an author or artist goes awry, to get them back on track, or "tame" them.

Skotta
I choose this username many years ago actually when I got my second account on Neopets. I was looking for ideas on what it could be and my dog was sitting next to me. This username is my dogs name. I needed some name that was special but not too Icelandic. Something people from other countries could remember. It's not too long and there are very few Skotta on the English web so I feel special by having it.

On Icelandic websites my name is Husky because very few pick those name there (how ironic XD).

So I would suggest people picking something close to them. Something simple avoid to many numbers (they are annoying). Make a name for yourself that people will remember not some stupid Balto25876331... There is nothing special about it!
And as time goes by the name just grows more and more on me. I couldn't imagine changing it. I'm sometimes even called Skotta in real life now

Moss
For people who have know me since I started on this website, I changed often. I could never find that right user name. Then, I became Moss.

I chose this name because it isn't common. I love things that are unique. So when I came across Moss, it's just something that you don't see everyday. I never really enjoyed the same thing, as Zuko stated above, Baltoluver, Jennaluver, or things that are common (KittyKat, Shadow, ect...)

This is my reason for getting it, simply because it's different. And it's simple, everyone can call me Moss, no nicknames needed ^^ (Though I love the nicknames people get me!)

Is there anything that the origins all have in common? Its almost easy to see: they’re simply personal. These individuals are also pleased with what they call themselves, that they see no need to change it.
That’s the key in finding a suitable username: being happy with it. If you’re not, then you’ll find the desire to change it pretty easy to achieve.
So in conclusion, put some consideration into choosing your username, and avoid anything of fandom. You only get one chance to make a good first impression, so make it good.

I like how other's have shared the reason behind their usernames. Share it here! I'd like to see what else is inspirational to a username.

NOTE: I am aware of Claymore's topic about making a username. But hey, there is more out there to be said as well. So makin it clear NOW

Really good topic Zuko! It's fun to see the reason behind the other names also.

Yeah i suppose i get this people who come up with usernames that show they are a fan or truely love someone or something is kinda lame and should more then likely be avoided. Like my name for instance shows im a fan of Xion from KH but thanks to you im going to have a much better name in about eight days of time lol

I changed my name once. I used to be Stray but after my BS hiatus I came back and went "what a dumb name *changes*" But Sora-kun is grounded in some offline-ness.

"Sora" came about because I was a rabid Kingdom Hearts fangirl. I was called Sora offline because of my rabid fandom. "-kun" was added because of the fact that people assume I'm a boy online a lot. I have no idea why, but I tacked on "-kun" as kind of a "dur hur imma tomboy" type thing back when I was a wapanese teen and it stuck. I've been Sora-kun for about three or four years. It's not a super unique name by any means (wander into the KH forums and you'll see plenty of Sora-kuns!) but it represents me 100% and I'm cool with that.

tl;dr: This topic is win.

I was originally AleuIsCute. We don't talk about that stage of my life. Thats that.
When I was changing my username from AleuIsCute, I made it to challenge my half sister, Dana. She named her cat Sadie, and her dog Kadie. She hates me. So bing, I'm TADIE.
Tadie fits my a whole lot more then AIC, to, in more ways then one.

Yeah I agree it does get rather annoying seeing tons of Balto or Jenna or Even ALEU fans out there...Just cause you ARE a fan of Aleu,Balto OR Jenna doesn't mean you have to be named after them. But it's ok to be a fan of a TV show to use your username like mine since I am a fan of Teen Titans, so I got the nickname Star or Starfire even if I had a different username before this one....But even MY username is taken alot, I think it fits me though^

I suppose mine in un-original too? I was told that once because I put "Balto" in it.

Anyway, I agree with the simple names and such. Like people can't think of anything? And I HATE it when people change their name's all the time. There is somebody here who does that a lot...

But yours is more permanent, so anyone can find in past of future. I was referring more to the 1000 BaltoFan39209434738478338 out there.

I don't particularly like characters as usernames, but it seems to work for some people like you, Zuko.
I'm sure Sardonyx is something I'll be for a long time; it's my birthstone and they don't tend to change xD

Finally a topic about this xD
yeah, the balto130292348485857 names are getting annoyes, and as you said, this is a Balto FAN site, so there is no reason to have a name that says you're a balto fan xD

I originally called myself just Italian Wolf to specify that I come from Italy but, I had the feeling that something was missing, so I wanted to add something before the Italian Wolf; how I came up with Saske? Well, I am a naruto fan, honestly I used to be a Naruto anome fan but not anymore, now I just buy the manga, I think the cartoon it's too censored and they had ruined a lot of things, I discovered that a channel on my TB was in english and they showd Naruto in english so, when I heard how the name of Sasuke was pronunced, I fell in love with it and decided to call myself like that because Sasuke Italian Wolf didn't sounded good but Saske Italian Wolf was fine for me :] so, that's the history of my name xD it's almost three years I've had this name, on DA too, and I'm not going to change it.

My username doesn't have much of a meaning, I just was starting to hate my old user name, wolfgirl_10, and wanted to change it. it's not that 'cool' but....I don't care much about my popularity as long as I have my friends.

It's easy to see why I gave myself that name, 1. I like wolves, 2. I'm a girl, and 3. I was 10 when I jioned. But then a year later I saw all the other 'wolfgirls' on the site, so I was going to change it something else. Something with a better nickname 'WG10' and for some reason....I liked the name Street Dog xD, some users call me 'Street' wich I don't mind, or call me by my fursona's name 'Chance'(wich I MIGHT be changing) then there are only two members who call me by my real name. Not much of a history to my name, and I havn't seen any other similar usernames. And I don't think I'll be changing it. (for a while, at least)

I agree! I get tired of all those common usernames!!!! >.>

BUT... I bet y'all are curious about how I came up with the name "Lil'Cinnamon" xD (The Rio part... That's just an addon for my fursona. Nothing much.)

WELL... THE STORY!!!!

All my usernames have sucked before. I might of had like 1 more original username which was "Keder" In it,That stuck a lot too.

I came up with "Lil'Cinnamon" on a site called "SanrioTown" (Noo Don't call me weird for liking Sanrio xD I know its girly but I like it. WHO CARES? xD)

But.. When I first Joined SanrioTown yeah. My username was "!KEDER" and stuff. but then I underwent another username change.... BUT... Lets talk about "Lil'Cinnamon". xD

I wanted a new LOOK on SanrioTown dedicating to one of the Sanrio characters.. "Cinnamoroll". Yeah. I made a siggy... (This was WAY before I was awesome at graphics. I was good at graphics then too though.) And I tried to come up with a username.

It took a couple tries though to come up with "Lil'Cinnamon" Prolly about an hour ^^;

But Soon I came up with it, and I liked it! When I came up with it at the time I never thought it would stick xD

BUT... I came up with the Username like a while before I joined Balto Source. BUT.. When I joined this site.. I decided.. "Hmm... I should use the name "Lil'Cinnamon" its better than KEDER!" So VIOLA! I joined as "Lil'Cinnamon"

Anyway... I LOVE THIS USERNAME! It will NEVER CHANGE. 8D I suck at usernames anyway, but I like this one a lot xD

- - -

The "Rio"... Not much of a story at all. Just created a roleplay, was in a naming slump... I just came up with "Rio"..

Yeah When I came up with it I never knew I would use it as my fursona and stuff xD I LOVE THE NAME RIO TOO xDD

And When I cameup with it I wanted to add "Rio" To my username so yeah.

It is now "Lil'Cinnamon (Rio)" And always will be ^^.

WOW long post. Its done now though xD

I used to be meerkatcute,cuz at the time I joined,my love for meerkats was high.(Meerkat manor obsession,inspired me,don't ask.xD) I still love them lil critters,but eventually,I just got so sick of it.xD And being called "Meerkat"Alot.Actually,my fursona's name,Kat,was inspired from the 'kat' in meerkat,sooo.I decided to change.I knew I was gonna be called something with Kat in it,but I didn't know what.I went through a list of colours I liked,and suited it,then decided "Hazel Kat"Sounded good.:3 It was either that or Ebony Kat.xDD

This is awesome Zuko.I'm actually getting kinda tired of seeing two 'balto's' on the shoutbox,and talking to one and the other replying.

I was one of those KodixDusty fans. In fact, each time I would make a new account I would pick my username to be DustylovesKodi or something like that. But I got tried of it so after a while, and after a new account, I changed my username to wolfoflove to have something different then everybody else.