Table of contents

Why WordPress doesn’t let you change your username by defaultMethod 1Method 2Method 3Method 4Common issues and how to fix themBest practices for choosing a new usernameNext stepsAdditional resources

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WordPress Guide → Users → Change Username

How to change a WordPress username (the easy way)

WordPress doesn’t let you change your username by default—but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with “admin” forever. Whether you want a more professional username, something more secure, or just made a typo during setup, there are a few easy ways to change it.

This guide covers every method you can use—no coding skills needed.

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Why WordPress doesn’t let you change your username by default

By default, WordPress lets you edit your display name, first and last name, and even your email address. But when it comes to the actual username, the one you use to log in, WordPress locks it down. That’s partly for security and data consistency.

The good news? You can still change it using a few workarounds. Some are built into WordPress, while others use a plugin or your database.

Let’s walk through your options.

Method 1: Create a new user and delete the old one

This is the safest and easiest method if you’re not comfortable using plugins or editing your database.

Step-by-step:

Go to Users > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
Create a new user with the username you want. Use a different email address than your current one (you can update it later). Set the Role to Administrator.
Log out of your current account.
Log in using the new user account.
Go to Users > All Users and delete the old username.
During deletion, WordPress will ask what to do with that user’s content. Select “Attribute all content to:” and choose your new username.
Confirm deletion.

That’s it—you now have a new admin username with all your posts and pages intact.

Bonus tip: You can update the email on the new account to match the old one once it’s deleted.

Absolutely! Here’s the rewritten Method 2 section using the Username Updater plugin instead of Username Changer.

Method 2: Use a plugin to update your username

If you’d rather not mess with user roles or the database, a plugin makes the process fast and beginner-friendly. One solid option is the free Username Updater plugin.

This tool lets you change any user’s username (not just your own), which is helpful if you’re managing a multi-author site or want more control.

How to use Username Updater:

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
Search for Username Updater.
Click Install Now, then Activate.
Go to Users > Username Updater in the left-hand menu.
You’ll see a list of all user accounts on your site.
Find the user you want to edit and click Update Username next to their name.
Enter the new username and click Update Username.

That’s it—you’re done. The user will keep the same password and email address, and nothing else on the site will break. If you updated your own username, just log out and back in using the new one.

Optional: Once you’re finished, you can safely deactivate and delete the plugin. The username change will stick.

Method 3: Change your WordPress username in phpMyAdmin (advanced)

If you’re comfortable working with your WordPress database, you can change the username directly using phpMyAdmin, which is available through most hosting control panels (like cPanel or Plesk).

Warning: Backup your database first. A small mistake here can break your site.

How to change your username via phpMyAdmin:

Log into your hosting control panel and open phpMyAdmin.
Select your WordPress database from the sidebar.
Click on the wp_users table.
Find your current username and click Edit.
Change the value in the user_login field to your new username.
Click Go to save.

That’s it—your login name is now updated. Just remember that this only changes the username, not the display name.

Method 4: Use WP-CLI (for developers and advanced users)

If you have SSH access and like working from the command line, you can change the username using WP-CLI.

Run the following command:

wp user update USER_ID –user_login=newusername

Replace USER_ID with the user’s ID (you can find it with wp user list) and newusername with your desired username.

This is the fastest method for developers or those managing multiple sites via the terminal.

Common issues and how to fix them

Can’t create a new user with the same email? You’ll need to use a different email temporarily when creating the new account. Once the old user is deleted, you can update the new one to use your preferred email.

Locked out after changing the username? Make sure you’re logging in with the new username. If needed, reset your password from the login screen.

Getting a “username already exists” error? WordPress won’t allow duplicate usernames. Double-check that the one you’re trying to use is available.

Best practices for choosing a new username

Avoid using “admin” or your full name—it makes brute-force attacks easier.
Choose something memorable but not personally identifiable.
Mix in a few numbers or symbols if you want extra security.
Pair your new username with two-factor authentication and a strong password.

Next steps for changing a WordPress user name

Your username is a key part of your site’s security and professionalism. Changing it can help prevent attacks, personalize your branding, or just fix a setup mistake.

Now that you’ve changed your username, review your user profile and enable two-factor authentication to further protect your account.

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