Wikipedia:Changing username/Usurpations

This page is for requests to usurp accounts that already exist in the circumstances described below. If you wish to request a rename to a username that is not already taken, please do so at Wikipedia:Changing username.

This page permits users to request, and bureaucrats to consider and carry out, the "usurpation" of usernames. This consists of renaming an existing dormant account in order to permit another user to adopt the name. If you are interested in usurping another username, please be advised that the account must have no edits or log entries (except in the username creation log) to qualify for usurpation. A request may also be rejected if it is determined that the requested account has made edits that were subsequently deleted.

Please do not request usurpation if your user account is less than several months old, or barely used. In order to ensure that usurped usernames be put to good use, we prefer only to grant requests from reasonably well-established users.

Process

Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure that the process runs efficiently. Malformed requests may be rejected.

• Be sure the account you wish to usurp has no edits or log entries, as described above.
• Leave a message on the talk page of the target account (preferably of the form {{subst:usurpation requested}} ~~~~) notifying the user of your request.
• Please do not e-mail the target account yourself. If this becomes necessary, a bureaucrat or other designated user will do it.
• Copy and paste the following text into the bottom of the section on this page for today's date.

{{subst:usurp|Name_To_Usurp|Current_Name}} ~~~~

Replace "Name_To_Usurp" with the username you wish to usurp, and "Current_Name" with your current username. You may include some reason for the change if you wish. Be sure you are logged in under your current username. Save the page.

• If the owner of the target account does not object within seven days, a bureaucrat will fulfill your request. Mark the date, so you will not be surprised when you find yourself unable to log in to your old account.

A few users have agreed to provide assistance with the mechanics of this process. If you wish to assist as well, please read the linked page carefully.

Instructions to bureaucrats

• Accounts should be renamed to "Username (usurped)" -- this is intuitive and is unlikely ever to be a desired account name. The links labeled '1' and '2' will automatically fill out the user renaming interface with the proper information.
• If a user consents to have his account usurped, the request may be fulfilled immediately, rather than after the full waiting period.
• Mark completed requests with {{done}} and rejected requests with {{not done}}. A bot will archive them.

• At your discretion, you may wish to add Template:UsurpUser to a user's old username Talk or User page to notify that to others that their account has been usurped, rather than just a redirect.

Changing username:

• Completed rename requests:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 79 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | 96 | 97 | 98 | 99 | 100 | 101 | 102 | 103 | 104 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 118 | 119 | 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 127 | 128 | 129 | 130 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | 139 | 140 | 141 | 142 | 143 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 | 148 | 149 | 150 | 151 | 152 | 153 | 154 | 155 | 156 157 | 158 | 159 | 160 | 161 | 162 | 163 | 164 | 165 | 166 | 167 | 168 | 169 170 | 171 | 172 | 173 | 174 | 175 | 176 | 177 | 178 | 179 | 180 | 181 | 182 183 | 184 | 185 | 186 | 187 | 188 | 189 | 190 | 191 | 192 | 193 | 194 | 195 196 | 197 | 198 | 199 | 200 | 201 | 202 | 203 | 204 | 205 | 206 | 207 | 208 209 | 210 | 211 | 212 | 213 | 214 | 215 | 216 | 217 | 218 | 219 | 220 | 221 222 | 223 | 224 | 225 | 226 | 227 | 228 | 229 | 230 | 231 | 232 | 233 | 234 235 | 236 | 237 | 238 | 239 | 240 | 241 | 242 | 243 | 244 | 245 | 246 | 247 248 | 249 | 250 | 251 | 252 | 253 | 254 | 255 | 256 | 257 | 258 | 259 | 260 261 | 262 | 263 | 264 | 265 | 266 | 267 | 268 | 269 | 270 | 271 | 272 | 273 274 | 275 | 276 | 277 | 278 | 279 | 280 | 281 | 282 | 283 | 284 | 285 | 286 287 | 288 | 289 | 290 | 291

• Rejected rename requests:

2005: Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2006: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2007: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2008: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2009: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2010: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2011: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2012: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2013: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2014: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2015: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2016: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2017: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2018: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2019: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2020: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2021: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2022: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2023: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

2024: Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

Usurpations:

• Completed:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57

• Rejected/Not Completed:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32

SUL requests:

• Completed:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11

• Rejected/Not Completed:

1 | 2 | 3

Current requests

Please place your request in the section for the current day, at the bottom of the list. The current UTC date is 25 December 2024.

July 25, 2007

Requests left here will be filled no earlier than August 2, 2007.

Woodchuck ← Woodchuckk

• Current username: Woodchuckk (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Woodchuck (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 13:06, 25 July 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  I am using the name Woodchuck in many places among others the Polish - language Wikipedia. The extra k was just because Woodchuck was taken. Thanks in advance. Woodchuckk 13:06, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

—— Rlest (formerly Qst) 17:52, 25 July 2007 (UTC)

 Done -- Andre (talk) 02:55, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

July 26, 2007

Requests left here will be filled no earlier than August 3, 2007.

David ← David.atwell

• Current username: David.atwell (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: David (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 08:53, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  =David^(talk)_(contribs) 08:53, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.-- Anonymous Dissident^Talk 08:56, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Kerotan ← JWJW

• Current username: JWJW (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Kerotan (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 09:27, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  JWJW ^Talk Long Live Esperanza! :) 09:27, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

– WjBscribe 09:29, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Nancy ← KirkEnd

• Current username: KirkEnd (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Nancy (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 14:46, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Nancy is my web alias and it is what I use in my wiki sig which has already caused confusion with other editors not immediately linking my sig with my mainspace edits. I have had a rename done before as I initially, foolishly, registered with my 'real' name, but at the time of the change I thought that as Nancy was already taken I was unable to change to it. Obviously I have now found out about usurping. I guess what I am trying to say is that I not some fickle timewaster and if you do approve my change to Nancy that is what I shall remain for the rest of my wiki-life. Thanks in advance. • nancy • talk to me • 14:46, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

— Rlest (formerly Qst) 14:59, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Confirmed no deleted contributions. --Deskana (talk) 15:06, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Linux ← Noerrorsfound

• Current username: Noerrorsfound (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Linux (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 23:28, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Noerrorsfound 23:28, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

– WjBscribe 23:36, 26 July 2007 (UTC)

 Bureaucrat note: Not sure I'm comfortable doing this rename. Had you asked to be renamed to "Microsoft Windows", for example, I would have definitely declined. --Deskana (talk) 00:14, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

I was wondering if though Linux is open source, if the name "Linux" is trademarked or not. So I checked, and found that the word "Linux" is trademarked. This means the username may not be usurped. Actually, now that I look, all I had to do was go to the Linux article and see the text "In the United States, the name Linux is a trademark registered to Linus Torvalds." I'm not going to decline this request though, because then I would somehow be wrong and Deskana would shun me :). --(Review Me) R ^ParlateContribs_@ (Let's Go Yankees!) 00:38, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Thanks R. I was going to post something very similar to this after my original note (we discussed the issue on #wikipedia-en-admins where the same conclusion was reached) but my internet connection went down :(. WjBscribe 03:58, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Copyrighted.

~ Wikihermit 03:55, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

 Not done Linux is trademarked. Secretlondon 04:11, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Something might need to be done about these, then: User:Macintosh, User:Mac --Noerrorsfound 23:18, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

McIntosh (disambiguation) - the name Macintosh has been around FAR longer than the computer company --L^augh! 23:25, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

We should probably add something to WP:U if trademarked names aren't allowed. IANAL (though I am the son of one), but it is my understanding that, at least in the United States (where Linux is trademarked), trademark infringement comes into play when selling products that are in a comparable industry or product type to the original trademarked brand -- which is why it's OK to have Dove soap AND Dove chocolate, or Delta the airline AND Delta the bathroom faucet. I'm pretty sure if I wanted to market Linux brand food products, for example, I could... and if that's true, a Linux username falls under that category as well. I also don't think Mr. Torvalds enforced his trademark or licenses it, which might make a case for it being genericized. This is probably too much discussion about one username change, so I'll stop now. Andre (talk) 23:40, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Torvalds does not, I believe, that is the Linux Group or whatever they're called responsibilities. They have in the past told people to stop using the name, I'm 95% sure. And there's a big difference between preexisting terms, like Dove and Delta, and made up terms like Linux. Heck, Microsoft is just a combination of two words, and if you tried to market throw pillows with the name, you'd probably get your $67 million pants sued off your hide quicker than a Buggati Veyron on an autobahn. --L^ie! 23:49, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Until recently (like April), I'm pretty sure there was a prohibition of "Complex tradmarks" in WP:U. I'll have to check for a link. Flyguy649 ^talk _contribs 23:42, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Prohibitions on trademarks have come and gone from the policy. I think the last discussion on the subject is the one at Wikipedia talk:Username policy/Archive 6#Trademarks 2. WjBscribe 23:50, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Maby you should change your name to Tux, he's cool! --Chris ^g 13:52, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm not sure about this one but I recall this being a topic of debate on some of the Linux mailing lists around 2000-2001. Larry is a very nice guy and I believe I remember him responding (well, he's obviously very much onboard with the OOS/FOSS movement) and being very cool about it but I think he did ask for attribution. I don't recall what the outcome of the trademark status query was but I know that there's a Tux, Inc. in DC (and no, I don't mean Mr. Tux ;). S ^up? 14:12, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

I'm sure Tux is an acceptable username, as it's a generic term for a tuxedo. Andre (talk) 05:41, 30 July 2007 (UTC)

July 28, 2007

Requests left here will be filled no earlier than August 5, 2007.

Plasticup ← Stephen_Kenny

• Current username: Stephen_Kenny (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Plasticup (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 15:34, 28 July 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Stephen Kenny 15:34, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

– WjBscribe 15:36, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

I am rather uncomfortable editing under my real name. As a consequence I have been editing anonymously for the past few months, but I would like to get involved in a couple wikiprojects and therefore need to start working under an account again. Stephen Kenny 15:40, 28 July 2007 (UTC)

Comment you do realize that your real name will still be seen, correct? as you can see here, my old user page (and thus user name) still redirects to my page; not to mention there are any number of other signs you've edited under your real name. If you really want privacy, I recommend you start a new account --Longing.... 07:22, 31 July 2007 (UTC)

July 29, 2007

Requests left here will be filled no earlier than August 6, 2007.

Madman ← Madman bum and angel

• Current username: Madman bum and angel (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Madman (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 23:05, 29 July 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  — Madman bum and angel (talk – desk) 23:05, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

--Deskana (banana) 23:06, 29 July 2007 (UTC)

August 1, 2007

Requests left here will be filled no earlier than August 9, 2007.

Alasdair ← Kylohk

• Current username: Kylohk (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Alasdair (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 01:03, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Kylohk 01:03, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
• Reason: It is my real English first name.--Kylohk 01:04, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

--Deskana (banana) 01:15, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Shutterbug ← COFS

• Current username: COFS (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Shutterbug (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 05:01, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Recommendation by ArbCom. The user name is not in use and has never been. COFS 05:01, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified. i ^said 05:09, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

 Clerk note: The ArbCom, in its /Proposed decision subpage of Wikipedia:Requests for arbitration/COFS is probably going to require COFS to change his username. Thus, the trend that people under ArbCom not being able to change their name can be suspended. However, it does say that this should take place after he returns from the proposed one-month ban. Also, this may want to wait until the decision is final. Wikipedia:Requests_for_arbitration/COFS/Proposed_decision#COFS_must_select_a_new_username is the link. i ^said 05:09, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Lastman ← Lastman cn

• Current username: Lastman cn (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Lastman (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 14:38, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  
• The account i wish to usurp has no edition records so far. I wish to unify all my account names in zh.wikipedia.org, en.wikipeida.org and wikicommons. Thanks!

The current

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

-- Anonymous Dissident^Talk 14:39, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Confirmed no deleted contributions. --Deskana (banana) 14:40, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Angelo ← Copperblade

• Current username: Copperblade (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Angelo (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 22:13, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  C-Blade 22:13, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

Even though I recently requested a name change, I did not know that I could usurp my own name. My name is Angelo, so I would prefer to have this username that original hasn't used. Thanks.

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified.

– WjBscribe 22:15, 1 August 2007 (UTC)

August 2, 2007

Requests left here will be filled no earlier than August 10, 2007.

Jet ← Jet123

• Current username: Jet123 (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Jet (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 00:12, 2 August 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Jet (talk) 00:12, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified. i ^said 00:18, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Target account has no deleted contribs. WjBscribe 00:20, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Fry ← Heylookamonkey2

• Current username: Heylookamonkey2 (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Fry (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 00:44, 2 August 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Heylookamonkey2 00:44, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified. i ^said 01:22, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Singularity ← Sr13

• Current username: Sr13 (talk · contribs · logs · block log)
• Target username: Singularity (talk · contribs · global contribs · logs · block log)
• Datestamp: 02:37, 2 August 2007 (UTC)
• For bureaucrat use: Email target username   (1)  (2)
  Sr13 02:37, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Note:

• The target username meets the requirements for usurpation.

• This username has not been checked by an administrator for deleted contributions.
• The current owner of the target username does not have an email address specified. Jet (talk) 02:42, 2 August 2007 (UTC)