Discord has announced that it is removing numbers from usernames to make them unique. The changes will roll out in stages beginning with old accounts.
Discord new username changes
On May 3, 2023, Discord co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy announced that they are dropping four-digit random numbers that are added after a username to make it unique. For example, if your discord username was @john1234 it will now change to @john.
Initially, if you chose @john as your username, the four digits were added to it to make it @john1234. This meant that the username John could be used by thousands of users and random four digits added after it to differentiate the users. Things are now changing.
To make usernames unique, Discord will not add any numbers to your username. Just like Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites do, you will only be able to choose a unique username that is available.
Why the changes
Discord says it is making changes to the usernames system because the old naming system made it difficult for people to remember or share usernames (Discord conducted a survey and found out that 40% of its users don’t remember the four digits added after the username). For example, if you want to mention someone, you have to type their username, typing John will suggest thousands of users starting with John followed by digits. In such a case, it becomes difficult to remember the correct number of the John you want to mention.
Discord username changes timeline
Discord says that username changes will roll out in stages. It will begin with allowing username changes to users based on the age of their Discord account (from 2015), Nitro subscribers, and verified servers. Usernames of public figures and brands like realDonaldTrump, JoeBiden, Obama, etc have already been preserved to avoid impersonation.
During the rollout, the old username will continue to be used as your alias so that users who can only recognize you by the old username can still find you.
Popular discord users are concerned about their usernames being taken and sold to the highest bidder.
Discord has not provided a public API to check username availability but you may be interested in this Python script.
Read more about new username restrictions, allowed characters, and how to change username.
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