Wikipedia talk:Changing username

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)Reply

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

@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)Reply

@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)Reply

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

You keep your user group and edit count right? It seems so but I'm getting closer to extended confirmed and i really don't wanna lose my progress LachlanTheUmUlGiTurtle (talk) 17:34, 22 May 2026 (UTC)Reply