Can’t find that perfect Instagram username for your account? Here are some ideas to get you going (disclaimer: I don’t know you, so I can’t really give you a specific username idea that’s good for you. But I can certainly give you some examples to get you inspired.)
Simplify Instagram Business
Management with One Tool
- Manage & reply to comments and DMs in one place.
- Monitor ad comments from multiple accounts.
- Automate answers to repetitive questions.
- Schedule posts to multiple accounts, on desktop.
- Analyze performance and monitor hashtags.
- Keep track of your competition.
- Create or schedule in-depth reports in seconds.
How to create a unique Instagram username
There are some basic rules you can follow to create an Instagram username:
- Make it easy to remember (and search for)
Anything from rhyming to alliteration (i.e., starting each word with the same letter) to wordplay to fun/unusual (but not confusing) spelling.
Also, watch out for the unusual spelling bit – too complicated/unintuitive spelling might cause people problems when searching for your account, and that might cost you visits and views.
- Make it clear who you are
This could be as simple as using your first and last name (spelled together or with a period or underscore. This will be effective, especially if you’re well-known in your corner of the internet.
You can also use:
- A combination of your first name, initials, and last name.
- Your artistic pseudonym or handle on other social media channels (thanks, Captain Obvious)
- Your brand name (or your personal brand)
Both your name and your pseudonym make it more likely that your handle will be unique. If someone’s already taken it, though (and this tends to happen frequently these days with the number of Instagram users), try adding things like:
- “iam” (standing for “I am”) at the beginning
- “its” (yeah, you guessed it, standing for “it’s”)
- or “we are” if you’re a group of people/company
Here are some examples of actual accounts (including mine):
You can also brainstorm some other keywords to add to your brand name, for example, that are clearly connected to what you do and will make sense with your name.
- Make it simple
This doesn’t necessarily mean short (though it might), but it definitely means easy to type in. Here’s an example.
And speaking of short, obviously stick within the 30-character limit Instagram has for usernames.
Don’t complicate things with numbers and excessive punctuation marks. People might get confused about whether to type the entire name together, with dots or underscores, so imagine typing your username in the search bar and try keeping it as simple as possible.
- Try username generators if you’re feeling uninspired
It could be as simple as asking ChatGPT to provide you with a list of usernames to choose from. If you prompt it right, using your name, industry, creativity level, etc., it can come up with some Instagram username ideas you can at least work with.
Which is much more than adding a _1234 at the end of your name, which is the usual suggestion.
- Keep it consistent across social media channels
At least when they’re part of a consistent identity and personal brand across social media. If you have a brand but want to keep your Instagram account private, this obviously won’t apply.
Again, if a specific handle is already taken, try workarounds like adding extra things at the beginning or end of your username to still make it instantly recognizable (see point 2.)
Simplify Instagram Business
Management with One Tool
- Manage & reply to comments and DMs in one place.
- Monitor ad comments from multiple accounts.
- Automate answers to repetitive questions.
- Schedule posts to multiple accounts, on desktop.
- Analyze performance and monitor hashtags.
- Keep track of your competition.
- Create or schedule in-depth reports in seconds.
20 Instagram username ideas
Let’s say you have a brand named “Somebrand” that sells T-shirts, and you need to choose a username. Here are some ideas for Instagram usernames.
- Your brand name: @Somebrand
- Your brand name + a noun that goes with the theme: @SomebrandThreads
- And another one in this vein: @SomebrandApparel
- And here’s one more: @SomebrandStyles
- And one more: @SomebrandWearables
- Your brand name + industry: @SomebrandFashion
- Your brand name + an adjective at the front: @TrendySomebrand
- And another example: @UrbanSomebrand
- And another one describing your style: @CasualSomebrand
- Your brand with “official” at the end: @Somebrand.official
- Your products (or services) + by your brand name: @TeesbySomebrand
- Or a more sophisticated version: @SignatureTeesBySomebrand
- Or a similar version with a more general noun that fits the vibe: @StylebySomebrand
- Or a version with “vibes” 🙂 @vibesbySomebrand
- Or vibes in a slightly different vibe: @TeeVibesOfficial
- Your name with “we are” at the front: @weareSomebrand
- Your brand name with its at the front: @itsSomebrand
- Something without the brand name but still closely describing your product/industry, e.g.: @TeeEssentials
- Another example of this, with your product + trends (maybe spelled less traditionally): @TshirtTrendz
- Something more creative and playful (try looking for wordplay opportunities): @Somebrand.to.a.tee
Instagram username ideas with your name
Okay, let’s try some Instagram username ideas using a random person’s name like, I don’t know, Taylor Smith, a well-known photographer? 😉
- Name + last name written together: @taylorsmith
- Name + last name with a dot: @taylor.smith
- Name + surname with an underscore: @taylor_smith
- Name + I am: @iamtaylorsmith
- Or the same with periods: @iam.taylorsmith
- Name + its: @itstaylorsmith
- Name + profession/profile content: @taylorsmith.photo
- Only first name + profession/profile content: @taylor.photo
- Or, in a longer, more professional version: @taylor.smith.photography
- Another version using a verb instead of a noun with the name: @taylor.snaps
- Or even a short version of the name: @Tay.Snaps
- Or, in a little more sophisticated version, still with a verb: @Tay.Captures
- A more creative Instagram username version with a rhyme (or something close to one 🙂): @StellarTaylor
- Or one using alliteration: @Smith.Snaps
- Or with a word added at the beginning: @ShutterSmith
- Name + “loves” + in this case, photo: @Taylor.loves.photo
- Also as one word: @Taylorlovesphoto
- Something more specific within the interest/profession/industry, like: @PolaroidTaylor
- The name + your city in different combinations, e.g., @Tay.photo.london
- With a word that reflects your style: @Monochrome.Tay
Username ideas for Instagram for girls
Now, I don’t want to get into some weird stereotypes here myself, so I asked ChatGPT to come up with some suggestions. You decide what you do with them 🙂 (It did do a pretty stereotypical job, but there’s definitely a pattern here.)
- SparkleBabe_
- DreamyDaisy_
- GlamGoddess__
- EnchantingEve_
- WhisperingWillow_
- RadiantRose_
- DazzlingDiva__
- SassySunflower_
- BellaBlossom_
- MysticalMaven_
- CharmingChic__
- PinkPetalPrincess_
- LunaLovely_
- SunshineSerenity_
- ChicCharmette_
- VelvetVogue_
- FleurFiesta__
- ElegantEmber_
- DarlingDuchess_
- CelestialCharm_
And here’s what it came up with when I asked it to make those names less stereotypical.
(Remember that you can keep prompting it to make the usernames more personalized or tailored to what you actually want and what fits your interests or personality.)
- UrbanEcho_
- KineticKaleido_
- QuantumQuirk_
- EchoingEquinox_
- NebulaNomad_
- SerendipitySculpt_
- RadiantReverie_
- FluxFemme_
- NomadNook_
- EchoesOfEden_
- WanderWeaver_
- PixelPioneer_
- LuminousLagoon_
- CipherCraze_
- CelestialCipher_
- MysticMarauder_
- MirageMingle_
- FluxFlicker_
- QuasarQuest_
- SpectrumSoul_
Aesthetic Instagram username ideas
Aesthetic Instagram usernames might include:
- Words that go well together
- Words that have an “aesthetic vibe” (you know what I mean, right? 🙂)
- Alliteration and rhyme – but not the “cheap” kind.
- Words somehow related to aesthetics (whether that’s interiors, photography, design, fashion, etc.)
Here’s a bunch of actual Instagram username ideas that could fit in the “aesthetic” category:
- EtherealBloom
- SereneWhisper
- VelvetSunset
- MysticMeadow
- CelestialGaze
- DreamyCanvas
- EnchantedEcho
- RadiantRipple
- NebulaNectar
- MoonlitMosaic
- TranquilTide
- LuminousLull
- VelvetVista
- SunkissedSerenity
- ChromaCraze
- WhimsicalWaltz
- EnigmaEden
- CosmicCanvas
- PastelPrelude
- HarmonicHorizon
Instagram username ideas when your name is taken
As I explained before, try adding something in front or after your name to make it more original – but something that’s not necessarily a bunch of random numbers or just an underscore (though that’s always a possibility.) Look for things describing:
- your interests
- your personality
- your profession
- or just something fun you like.
Here’s a bunch of ideas:
- Add “official” in front of the name: @OfficialTaylorSmith
- Add “World” after the name: @TaylorSmithWorld
- Use a combination of initials + another word like “journey”: @TSmithJourney
- Add “online”: @TaylorS_Online
- Add “Life” after your name: @SmithTaylorLife
- Or something like “adventures”: @TaySmithAdventures
- Add official after the name: @TaylorSmithOfficial
- Include a noun describing you: @TSmith_Explorer
- Add “vibes” at the end (because: vibes 👀): @TaylorSmithVibes
- Add “insider”: @SmithTaylor_Insider
- Add “universe” (very much like “world”): @TaySmithUniverse
- Add “TheReal” at the front (so that people know you’re the real deal.): @TheRealTaylorSmith
- Add something like “diaries” to describe what your account is going to be: @TaylorSmithDiaries
- Or “creations” (remember you can play around with first/last name and initials, so that gives you more variations: @TaylorS_Creations
- Or “chronicles” if you’re more fancy ;): @TSmithChronicles
- Add a verb at the front (think of it as a call to action of sorts): @ExploreWithTaySmith
- Or an adjective: @InfiniteTaylorSmith
- Or a more epic one: @EpicTaylorSmith
- Add something related to what you show – for example, this one’s great if you post a lot of travel content: @TSmithWanderlust
- Add a verb at the end, like: @TaylorSmithDreams
Got your Instagram username sorted?
If you’re planning to get serious about your Instagram account – or it’s just another one of the dozen you already manage (hence the creative block when coming up with yet another username maybe?) – don’t forget to also get Instagram management tools for business like NapoleonCat where you can:
- manage multiple Instagram accounts for yourself or your clients
- schedule and automatically post Instagram content, including feed posts, Stories, and Reels
- moderate engagement under your content, including managing and replying to comments (organic and ads) and DMs in one place for all your accounts
- track engagement and automate reporting for your boss or clients.
We highly recommend you test NapoleonCat for free here – no credit card required during signup 😉
Simplify Instagram Business
Management with One Tool
- Manage & reply to comments and DMs in one place.
- Monitor ad comments from multiple accounts.
- Automate answers to repetitive questions.
- Schedule posts to multiple accounts, on desktop.
- Analyze performance and monitor hashtags.
- Keep track of your competition.
- Create or schedule in-depth reports in seconds.
FAQs
How do I make my IG name unique?
First of all, Instagram won’t let you use a username that already belongs to someone else – so that kind of sorts the uniqueness problem. But other than that, try using these tips:
- Instead of adding a string of numbers or an underscore, look for words that can complement your username in a unique way. This could be your interests, a character feature, or a profession.
- Try different combinations of your name – with initials, first + last name variations. You might come up with one that’s not yet in use (unless you have a very popular name.)
Scroll up to see some more tips and suggestions that will help you create a unique Instagram username.
What is a good IG name for a girl?
Honestly? It’s whatever you think is a good Instagram username. You can scroll up for some ready-made Instagram username ideas in this article for inspiration.
You may also like:
- 731 Best Instagram Captions
- 200 Fun Instagram Notes Ideas (+Guide)
- 432 Best Instagram Bio Ideas + Tips to Inspire You
- 21 Daily Hashtags to Help Your Content Reach More People
- How to Go Viral on Instagram (or at least increase your chances)
- How to Make Reels on Instagram: An Easy Guide For Beginners
- Here’s the Best Time to Post Reels on Instagram
- Top Instagram Story Hacks – For Marketers and Creators
