How to Change Your WordPress Admin Username

Security and ease of use are critical aspects of any WordPress site, but it can be easy to sacrifice one in favor of the other. For example, site owners tend to leave default usernames in place, such as “admin,” rather than setting a new one, which inadvertently leaves their account vulnerable. 

This guide explains the importance of changing your WordPress admin username and provides detailed, easy-to-follow steps to do so safely.

Why changing your WordPress admin username matters

1. It enhances security

Predictable usernames increase the risk of unauthorized access to your site. Attackers often target common usernames such as:

• admin
• administrator
• user
• webmaster

By choosing a unique admin username, you significantly reduce your site’s vulnerability.

2. It protects against brute force attacks

Brute force attacks occur when hackers attempt to log in by systematically guessing your username and password. Changing your username helps thwart these automated attempts by making them more difficult.

3. It helps maintain confidentiality

A unique admin username helps preserve your privacy. This is particularly important if your site is frequently targeted or if you manage sensitive or valuable content.

Common concerns about changing your admin username

Will changing my username affect my posts?

No. Your posts, pages, and media remain unaffected. WordPress associates your content with your user ID, not the username itself.

Can I simply edit my username in the admin panel?

Unfortunately, WordPress does not allow you to directly edit usernames from the dashboard. However, there are straightforward alternatives available, as you’ll see next.

How to change the default WordPress admin username

Method	Difficulty	Safety Level	Best For
Create New User	Easy	✅ High	Beginners & Non-Techies
Plugin	Easy	⚠️ Medium	Users uncomfortable with databases
phpMyAdmin	Hard	⛔ High Risk	Developers only (Database edit required)
WP-CLI	Hard	✅ High	Server Admins & Developers

Method 1: Create a new admin user (recommended)

This method is safe, straightforward, and doesn’t require technical knowledge.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Users → Add new user.
3. Fill in the required details:
   • Enter your desired username.
   • Provide an email address (it must be different from your current admin email).
   • Set a strong password.
   • Select Administrator as the user role from the dropdown menu.
4. Click Add New User.
5. Log out of your current admin account.
6. Log in again using your new admin account.
7. Go to Users and delete your old account.
8. Important: When prompted, assign all existing content to your new account. Otherwise, it will be deleted!

Method 2: Use a plugin to change your username

If you don’t want to delete your current admin account, but also don’t feel comfortable editing your database, plugins are a good alternative. In this example, we’ll show you how to switch your username using the Easy Username Updater plugin. 

1. In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
2. Search for “Easy Username Updater,” then click Install now → Activate.
3. Then go to Users → Username Updater.
4. Click Update next to the user you want to change.
5. Enter your new username.
6. Click Update Username.

Method 3: Change your username via phpMyAdmin

This advanced method involves editing your database directly. You should only choose this route if you have database experience.

1. Back up your website before making database changes.
2. Log into your web hosting control panel (e.g. cPanel).
3. Open phpMyAdmin.
4. Select your WordPress database from the list.
5. Click on the wp_users table (the prefix might differ).
6. Locate the username you want to change and click Edit.
7. Replace your existing username with the new one.
8. Click Go to save your changes.
9. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard with the new username.

Method 4: Change username via WP-CLI (for developers)

For those with SSH access, WP-CLI is the fastest method.

1. List users to find the ID: wp user list
2. Update the login: wp user update 123 --user_login=NewAdminName
   Note: Replace 123 with your actual User ID.

Best practices after changing your username

After successfully changing your username, follow these tips for enhanced security:

• Use strong passwords: Always combine letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Update usernames from time to time: Periodic updates can further secure your site.
• Monitor login activity: Consider using security plugins to track and manage login attempts.

Troubleshooting common issues

What if I lose access after changing the username?

If you lose access after changing your username, you can:

• Use the “Lost your password?” feature on the login page to change your password.
• Restore from a recent backup.
• Contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Why can’t I delete my original admin account?

If you can’t delete the original account, make sure that you’re logged into your new admin account. WordPress won’t let you delete the current admin account.

Quick tips for a seamless username change

• Always perform the change during low-traffic periods to minimize disruption.
• Clearly document your new username and password.
• Immediately verify your admin access after making changes.

Optimize security beyond your username

While changing your admin username is a great step, it should be part of a broader security strategy, including:

• Regular WordPress updates
• Choosing a secure hosting provider
• Installing a trusted security plugin like Jetpack Security

Frequently asked questions

Can changing the username affect SEO?

No. Changing your admin username does not affect your site’s SEO performance. SEO rankings depend on factors like content, URLs, and metadata, not on usernames.

Can I revert to my old username?

Yes, you can revert by repeating any method outlined above and simply setting your username back to its original.

Why does WordPress prevent me from changing my username directly in the profile settings?

WordPress locks the username field by design to maintain the structural integrity of your website’s database. When you create an account, the system assigns a unique ID number that links specifically to that username. This connection ties together all your posts, pages, comments, and media uploads.

If the system allowed you to casually rename this field like a display name, it could break these connections and cause errors across your site. The developers made this field permanent to prevent accidental data corruption. To change it, you must use a workaround like creating a new user or editing the database directly, as the interface itself will not let you edit the text in that box.

Will I lose my blog posts and pages if I delete my old admin account?

You will lose your content only if you skip a crucial step during the deletion process. When you click “Delete” on a user account, WordPress detects that the user has created content. It then pauses and presents a clear option asking what you want to do with that content.

You must select the option that says “Attribute all content to” and choose your new username from the dropdown menu. If you ignore this and just confirm the deletion, your articles will vanish from the site. Always double-check that you have selected the new owner for your content before you hit the final confirm button to keep your hard work safe.

How does changing my admin username improve my website security?

Changing your username is one of the most effective first steps in securing a WordPress site because it stops the most common type of automated attack. Hackers often use software scripts to run “brute force” attacks that guess thousands of password combinations. These scripts almost always assume the username is “admin” or the name of your website.

If you use a custom, hard-to-guess username, these automated attacks fail immediately at the first hurdle because they are trying to break into an account that does not exist. It forces a hacker to work twice as hard: they must first figure out your login name and then try to crack your password.

What is the difference between my Username and my Display Name?

Your username is the secret key you use to log into the dashboard, while your display name is what your visitors see on your blog posts. You should never let these two be the same. Ideally, your username should be a random string or a unique phrase that nobody sees, such as Obsidian$92. Your display name can be “John Smith” or “Editorial Team.”

By separating these two, you allow readers to connect with a human name while keeping your actual login credentials hidden from public view. You can change your display name anytime in your profile settings without affecting your login information or site security.

Can I change my username using phpMyAdmin if I am not a developer?

You can technically use phpMyAdmin to change your username, but it carries significant risks for anyone who is not comfortable working with databases. This tool gives you direct access to the raw data tables of your website.

If you make a typo or accidentally delete a character in the wrong column, you could crash your entire site or lock yourself out completely. It is much safer for non-technical users to use the “Create New User” method or a dedicated plugin. If you must use the database method, you should always create a full backup of your site before touching anything in the tables.

Why is my new username still showing up in my author URL (e.g., site.com/author/new-user)?

This is a common security oversight that many guides miss. When you create a new user, WordPress automatically generates a “slug” for your author archive page based on that username. Even if your Display Name is “Support Team,” your URL might still reveal your login as /author/secret-admin-name. This exposes your secure username to hackers.

To fix this, you need to edit the “User Nicename” in your database or use a plugin that allows you to edit author slugs. Changing this slug to something generic ensures your login username remains truly private and invisible to the outside world.

Is it safe to use a plugin to change my username instead of doing it manually?

Using a reputable plugin is often safer than editing the database yourself because the plugin handles the technical validation for you. A good plugin will update the necessary database fields without risking syntax errors that a human might make. However, you should be selective about which plugin you install.

Look for one that is regularly updated and has positive reviews. Once you have successfully changed your username, it is a good security practice to deactivate and delete the plugin. You do not need to keep it installed permanently since you likely will not need to change your username again for a long time.

What should I do if I get a “Username already exists” error?

This error usually means there is an old, inactive account or a deleted user that is still lingering in your database with that specific name. Sometimes, a user might be in the “Trash” section of the Users menu but not fully removed. Check the “All Users” list and look at the links above the list for a “Trash” count.

If the name is truly free, another possibility is that a plugin or theme has reserved that specific word for its own use. Try adding a number or a special character to your desired username to make it unique, or check your database users table to see if a hidden entry is blocking that name.

Can I use my email address to log in if I forget my new username?

Yes, WordPress allows you to log in using either your registered username or the email address associated with your account. This is a helpful fail-safe if you recently changed your username and slipped up by typing the old one.

As long as you know the email connected to your admin profile and your current password, you can access the dashboard. Once you are logged in, you can visit your profile page to verify exactly what your current username is. This dual-login feature is enabled by default on all standard WordPress installations and does not require any special configuration.