Hey folks! I'm diving into the world of web development and setting up my online profile across places like GitHub, LinkedIn, and Twitter, since I'm gearing up to hunt for jobs and take on freelance work. I'm a bit stuck on picking a catchy yet professional display name and username.
My full name is Syed Ahmad Shah, but I usually go by Ahmad. Everyone seems to call me Syed in formal settings, which doesn't feel right to me. Here's what I need advice on:
1. **Display Name**: Should I use my full name, "Syed Ahmad Shah," or just "Ahmad Shah" to keep it straightforward? Is it okay to ditch "Syed" for my display name even if it's on my official documents? Will that confuse employers or complicate official stuff?
2. **Username**: I've got a few options:
- syedahmadshah
- sahmadshah
- ahmadshah
- Or maybe something brandable like ahmadshahdev or devahmad.
3. **Consistency Across Platforms**: Is it better to have the same username on LinkedIn, GitHub, and Twitter? If I can only snag "ahmadshah" on one but can grab "sahmadshah" across the rest, what should I do?
Lastly, does it actually make a difference in professional branding or job applications? I'm eager to hear your thoughts and experiences. Thanks!
3 Answers
I suggest dropping "Syed" since it keeps things simpler and aligns with how you prefer to be addressed. People won't care about the legal name on LinkedIn or GitHub since those aren’t legal platforms. For your username, matching it with your display name would be good. If possible, use "ahmadshah" or something like "ahmadshahdev" if needed. It won't drastically affect your job prospects, but it shows you care about your online presence!
Honestly, the most crucial thing is that your name isn’t cringe and is somewhat similar across platforms. Minor differences aren't a big deal; you could easily manage having "sahmadsh" on Twitter and "ahmadshah99" on GitHub. If you promote your profiles well, people will get the connection. My real name is nothing like my online handle, and it’s never been an issue for me!
I think "AhmadShah" is clear and professional. It's best to find a name available across platforms for consistency. Personally, I like the idea of "SyShah"—it’s fun and catchy, plus you could develop it into a brand!
But if "AhmadShah" is taken, I'm not sure about "SyShah" since it doesn’t use my full name! What do you think?
But what if "ahmadshah" isn't available? Should I just go with "sahmadshah" everywhere instead? What's better—consistency or using the ideal name?