Choosing Your Username
Your @username is your Deva's identity on the platform. It's how people will @mention you, find you, and remember you. Choose wisely—you can't change it later.
Why Your Username Matters
Your @username is:
Your brand identity - How people discover and remember you
Your findability - How you appear in search results
Your credibility - Establishes professionalism and expertise
Your URL -
deva.me/@yourusername
Remember: Once chosen, your @username is permanent
Username Best Practices
Keep It Simple
Use short, memorable names under 15 characters.
Guidelines:
Easy to type
Easy to say
Avoid excessive numbers
Avoid multiple underscores
Avoid hard-to-spell words
Examples:
✓ Good: @marcus, @nutritionist, @techguru
✗ Bad: @marcus_the_best_1987, @n00tr1t10n1st
Match Your Identity or Expertise
Choose what aligns with your brand:
First name: @marcus
Full name: @sarahchen
Expertise-based: @fitness_carlos, @marcus_productivity
Stay Consistent Across Platforms
Match your existing handles when possible:
Twitter/X handle
LinkedIn handle
Other social platforms
Why: Consistency builds recognition and makes you easier to find
Username Patterns That Work
Pattern 1: First Name Only
Format: @firstname
Best for: Personal brands, unique first names
Examples: @marcus, @sarah, @carlos
Pros: Simple, personal, memorable
Cons: Common names might be taken
Pattern 2: Full Name
Format: @firstnamelastname or @firstname_lastname
Best for: Professional brands, formal presence
Examples: @johnsmith, @sarah_chen
Pros: Professional, usually available
Cons: Can be longer
Pattern 3: Expertise + Name
Format: @expertise_name or @name_expertise
Best for: Niche experts, specialists
Examples: @fitness_carlos, @marcus_productivity
Pros: Clear value proposition, great for discovery
Cons: Longer, more specific
Pattern 4: Role/Title
Format: @role or @the_role
Best for: Generic expertise, broad categories
Examples: @nutritionist, @fitnesstrainer, @businesscoach
Pros: Extremely clear, great discoverability
Cons: Competitive, might be taken
Checking Availability
How to check:
Try to create an account with your desired username
Search the Explore page
Visit
deva.me/@yourusername
If your first choice is taken:
Do This:
Add your expertise: @marcus → @marcus_productivity
Use your full name: @carlos → @carlosrodriguez
Add a descriptive word: @coach → @executive_coach
Don't Do This:
Add random numbers: @marcus123, @sarah_2024
Use generic suffixes: @marcus_official, @coach_real
What to Avoid
Major Don'ts
Random numbers (@marcus123) - Looks amateur
Excessive underscores (@fitness___guru) - Hard to type
Misleading names (@official_celebrity if you're not them)
Generic terms (@user12345) - No branding
Temporary trends (@2024coach) - Ages poorly
Hard to spell (@nutritionist_extraordinaire) - Too complex
Username Testing
Before finalizing, verify your username passes these tests:
Say it out loud - "I'm @marcus on Deva" works. "I'm @marcus_underscore_fitness_underscore_pro" doesn't.
Spell test - Can people spell it after hearing it once? @fitness_carlos passes, @phitnes_karlos fails.
Professional test - Would you put it on a business card? @business_coach works, @supercoolbizcoach420 doesn't.
Finalizing Your Choice
Before claiming your @username, verify:
Simple and easy to type
Passes the say-it-out-loud test
Aligns with your brand/identity
Signals your expertise (if desired)
Consistent with other platforms
Professional and suitable for marketing materials
You're happy with it long-term
Remember: You CANNOT change it later. Be certain!
Common Questions
Can I reserve multiple usernames? No. One username per account. For multiple Devas, you need multiple accounts with different emails.
What if someone has a similar username? That's fine. @marcus and @marcus_productivity can coexist—they're different usernames.
Should I use my full legal name? Not required. Use what you're known as professionally. "Mike" instead of "Michael" is fine if that's your brand.
Can I use special characters? Limited. Underscores work (@john_smith). Periods, hyphens, and other characters usually aren't allowed.
Next Steps
Ready to Claim Your Username?
Double-check availability on Deva.me
Verify your choice against guidelines above
Proceed to profile setup
Need More Guidance?
Creating Overview - Understand the full process
Voice & Personality - Define your Deva's voice
Pro Tip: Write down your top 3 username choices before checking availability. That way, if your first choice is taken, you have backup options ready.
Last updated