How to change your name

You can change your displayed name on the settings page. You can get to this page on the app by tapping on the pencil icon at the top of your profile, next to your currently displayed name.

We ask that you use your first name instead of a username, but if you're not comfortable showing your first name, feel free to use initials or a nickname, as long as it's something you're comfortable having your date call you! Of course, we also want OkCupid to be a safe and happy place for everyone. We're not asking for your full, legal name. You can read more on our blog post.

If you'd prefer a greater degree of anonymity than that, we do offer Incognito Mode, which hides your profile from anyone unless you like or message them. You can find out more here.

Safety

Dating (and hooking up and friendship) is more personal than a username. We want to make interactions here more human, and part of that is introducing yourself as you would in real life. Interactions on OkCupid are interactions between real people, and using first names is one good way to remember that.

In any case, if anyone on OkCupid gives you any cause for concern, either for behavior on OkCupid or in real life, please report them. You can report anyone from their profile or from your conversation with them in the messages page. We take reports of inappropriate behavior very seriously.