Wikipedia talk:Changing username

In this section under “Usurpation reqests”, the term “established user” is not defined.

Could someone clarify what criteria are generally meant by an “established user” in this context (for example, account age, edit count, or conduct history)? If there is an existing guideline or commonly applied standard, wouldn't it be helpful to link to it or briefly summarise it in the article?

The lack of an explicit explanation may lead to uncertainty for readers, including users who would otherwise meet the intended criteria but may be hesitant to request a rename, as well as users making requests that are unlikely to succeed due to unmet expectations (for example, see this request). Astley101 (talk) 06:37, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

@Astley101: There is no official definition of what counts as an "established user". Currently, usurpations are considered on a case-by-case basis, and "established user" is typically at the discretion of the renamer handling the request (see m:Requests_for_comment/Global_usurpation_policy_2#500_edit_requirement). In general, the requirement exists to prevent brand new users from being able to usurp existing usernames, and also to ensure that usurped usernames are put to use afterwards rather than simply being usurped and going unused again. A rough guideline may be at least 100 edits, but this is not a hard rule and exceptions may apply. We may consider usurpation for the alternate account of a user who has more than 100 edits, and may decline usurpation requests from users whose 100 edits were all self-reverts (to prevent gaming the system). Currently, there is no official global usurpation policy, with the last discussion to implement one fizzling out in 2018, but a user who has registered less than 24 hours ago and whose only edits were to request usurpation is not considered established enough to be granted usurpation. —⁠k6ka 🍁 (Talk · Contributions) 13:44, 30 December 2025 (UTC)

I see, thanks for letting me know. Astley101 (talk) 04:32, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

For users that have already changed their username, how long must they wait until they are able to change it again? I might've missed this but if it does not exist in this guideline, then I think it should be added. Thanks, Sahib-e-Qiran 05:11, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

@EasternShah: There is no official guideline on how long a user must wait between renames. The global rename policy prohibits "frivolous, repeated, or inappropriate requests", which is a broad interpretation. In general, we usually asks users to wait at least six months between renames, but we can be flexible depending on the needs. We can rename sooner if the user is experiencing harassment from their new name, or if their new name violates another wiki's local username policy. On the other hand, we probably aren't going to accept someone's request to be renamed every 12 months on their birthday. —⁠k6ka 🍁 (Talk · Contributions) 18:32, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

Hallo, the user formerly known as @Busandtrainfannorthwest has decided to use a new username @Busandtrainfannorthwestgeography, saying "Forget password to old account, old one is inactive now" and has made quite a few edits under the new name. They didn't know there was a process for renaming themself. Is there a way they can rename themself retrospectively, so that the old and new identities get linked? (Eg I've just PRODded one of their creations, but Twinkle has of course notified their old user talk page, not the current one). I advised them to use the proper process to change their name, but on looking at it now I can't work out how/whether they can do it after they've already started using the new name! PamD 12:55, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

You done it? Busandtrainfannorthwestgeography (talk) 13:00, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

@PamD and Busandtrainfannorthwestgeography: Not sure what you mean by "rename retrospectively". If the question is, "Can accounts be merged?", the answer is, unfortunately, no. It's not uncommon for people to create new accounts when they forget the password to their old account, and usually they go on editing normally under their new name. If they want to reclaim their old username, this is trickier, as they cannot log in to their old account to prove that they own the account, and typically requests to usurp (take over) an existing username are refused if the existing username has made significant edits to any Wikimedia project.

The simplest way forward is to simply add a note on the userpage of Busandtrainfannorthwest, explaining that the owner forgot the password, and is now editing under Busandtrainfannorthwestgeography; and then leave a note on the userpage of Busandtrainfannorthwestgeography explaining that they were previously known as Busandtrainfannorthwest. This will let other editors know that the old username is not in use, and links the two identities together. —⁠k6ka 🍁 (Talk · Contributions) 13:16, 9 March 2026 (UTC)

@K6ka Thanks: yes, I think you're right that I was asking "can accounts be merged". As you say, notes on both user pages are the best we can do, and I've already suggested that @Busandtrainfannorthwestgeography should watchlist their old user talk page so that they get alerted to any messages about old edits. Thanks. PamD 14:41, 9 March 2026 (UTC)

Cheers Busandtrainfannorthwestgeography (talk) 15:09, 9 March 2026 (UTC)