UserAccountName

UserAccountName, commonly referred to as a username, is the identifier a user provides to log into a computer system or online service. It serves as the primary credential alongside a password or other authentication factor. Although the term is often used interchangeably with login name or user ID, it is not always synonymous with a person’s real name or display name, which may be separate attributes in a user profile. The exact definition and scope of a user account name vary by system and organization.

Scope and characteristics: A user account name is typically unique within a defined boundary, such as a local machine, a domain, or a service. It may be restricted to a specific character set, length, and case sensitivity, depending on policy. Some platforms support aliases, multiple profiles, or email-based identifiers. In many environments, the user account name is integrated into identity and access management (IAM) frameworks and linked to permissions and group memberships.

Creation and management: User account names are created during account provisioning by administrators or by users in self-service portals where allowed. Renaming policies vary: some systems allow changes with auditing, others prohibit changes to preserve history. Decommissioning typically involves disabling the account and severing linked credentials and access rights, while preserving audit trails.

Security and privacy: Because account names can appear in logs, error messages, and directory listings, organizations apply least-privilege principles and monitor for misuse. Strong authentication, password hygiene, and multi-factor authentication are used to protect access, complementing the uniqueness of the account name with robust verification.

See also: username, login, user ID, identity management, authentication.