How to Change the WordPress Admin Username: A Complete Guide

The WordPress administrator username is an important part of your website’s security. If you initially created an admin account with a predictable username such as admin, administrator, or your website name, changing it can reduce the risk of automated login attacks.

WordPress does not provide a simple “Change Username” button in the user profile screen. However, there are several safe ways to replace an existing administrator username without losing access to the website.

In this guide, we’ll explain the most practical methods, including using the WordPress dashboard, a plugin, and phpMyAdmin.

Why Should You Change the WordPress Admin Username?

Using a common administrator username can make automated attacks easier because attackers already know one part of the login credentials.

For example, if your login is:

Username: admin
Password: ********

an attacker only needs to discover the password.

Changing the username to something unique adds another layer of protection.

However, changing the username alone is not sufficient security. You should also use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication, keep WordPress updated, and limit unnecessary administrator accounts.

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Method 1: Create a New Administrator and Delete the Old One

For most WordPress users, this is the simplest and safest approach.

Step 1: Log in to WordPress

Sign in to your WordPress dashboard:

https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/

Go to:

Users → Add New User

Step 2: Create a New User

Enter a new, unique username.

Avoid usernames such as:

• admin
• administrator
• root
• webmaster
• Your domain name

Choose a username that isn’t easily associated with your website.

Step 3: Set a Strong Password

Generate a strong password using a password manager or WordPress’s built-in password generator.

A strong password should contain a combination of:

• Uppercase letters
• Lowercase letters
• Numbers
• Special characters

Step 4: Select Administrator as the Role

Under Role, select:

Administrator

Then click Add New User.

Step 5: Log Out

Log out from the current administrator account.

Then log in using the newly created administrator account.

Step 6: Delete the Old Administrator

Go to:

Users → All Users

Find the old administrator account and click Delete.

WordPress may ask what should happen to the content owned by that account.

Select:

Attribute all content to: your new administrator account.

This prevents existing posts and pages from being deleted along with the old account.

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Method 2: Change the Username Using a WordPress Plugin

A plugin can be useful if you don’t want to create and delete an administrator account.

There are plugins designed specifically to change WordPress usernames.

General Process

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins → Add New.
3. Search for a reputable username-changing plugin.
4. Install and activate it.
5. Open the plugin’s settings.
6. Select the existing username.
7. Enter the new username.
8. Save the changes.
9. Log out and test the new login.

Choose Plugins Carefully

Before installing a plugin, check:

• Recent update date
• WordPress compatibility
• Number of active installations
• User reviews
• Developer reputation
• Security history

After changing the username, you can deactivate or remove the plugin if it is no longer required.

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Method 3: Change the WordPress Admin Username Using phpMyAdmin

Advanced users can change the username directly in the WordPress database.

Important: Always create a database backup before modifying database records manually. An incorrect database change can cause login problems or other website issues.

Step 1: Open phpMyAdmin

Log in to your hosting control panel, such as cPanel or DirectAdmin, and open phpMyAdmin.

Step 2: Select the WordPress Database

Select the database used by your WordPress installation.

If you’re unsure which database WordPress uses, open the site’s wp-config.php file and look for:

define( 'DB_NAME', 'database_name' );

The actual database name will be shown there.

Step 3: Open the Users Table

Find the WordPress users table.

The default table is:

wp_users

However, your website may use a different prefix, such as:

wp8x_users

Do not assume that wp_ is always the prefix.

Step 4: Locate the Administrator Account

Click Browse and find the administrator account you want to rename.

Look for the user_login column.

For example:

user_login = admin

Step 5: Edit the Username

Click Edit for the appropriate user record.

Change:

admin

to your new username, for example:

siteadministrator42

Save the record.

Step 6: Test the Login

Open your WordPress login page and try signing in with the new username and the existing password.

If the login works, the username has been successfully changed.

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What Is the Difference Between user_login and display_name?

This is an important distinction when working with the WordPress database.

The user_login field controls the username used for authentication.

The display_name field controls the name that WordPress displays publicly in various locations.

Changing display_name does not necessarily change the login username.

For example:

user_login: amitadmin
display_name: Amit Kumar

The user can log in with:

amitadmin

while WordPress may display:

Amit Kumar

Therefore, changing only the display name is not the same as changing the administrator username.

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Things to Check After Changing the Username

After changing your administrator username, don’t immediately assume everything is finished.

Check the following:

1. Test WordPress Login

Log out and log back in using the new username.

2. Check Existing Posts

Open several existing posts and pages to make sure their authorship remains correct.

3. Check User Roles

Go to:

Users → All Users

Verify that the new administrator account still has the correct role.

4. Check Plugins

Some poorly designed plugins may store usernames in their own settings. Check important plugins if you notice unexpected behavior.

5. Check Scheduled Tasks

If your website uses custom scripts or integrations that depend on a specific username, changing the account may require additional configuration.

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What If You Cannot Access WordPress?

If you cannot log in to the WordPress dashboard, you can still change the administrator username through phpMyAdmin, provided you have access to the website’s database.

However, database modifications should be performed carefully.

Before making changes:

1. Back up the database.
2. Identify the correct WordPress database.
3. Identify the correct users table.
4. Verify the administrator account.
5. Change only the required field.
6. Test the login afterward.

If you’re unsure, contact your hosting provider or a WordPress professional rather than modifying unfamiliar database records.

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Should You Simply Rename admin?

If your website uses the default admin username, replacing it with a unique username is a sensible security improvement.

But don’t treat username changes as a complete security solution.

A secure WordPress setup should also include:

• Strong, unique passwords
• Two-factor authentication
• Regular WordPress updates
• Updated themes and plugins
• Reliable backups
• Login attempt protection
• Least-privilege user roles
• Secure hosting
• HTTPS/SSL
• Removal of unused administrator accounts

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Editing the Wrong Database

A hosting account may contain multiple databases. Always verify that you are modifying the database belonging to the correct WordPress installation.

2. Forgetting a Database Backup

Never make database changes without having a recent backup.

3. Changing display_name Instead of user_login

Changing the displayed name does not accomplish the same thing as changing the login username.

4. Deleting the Old Account Without Reassigning Content

If you delete an administrator account, make sure its posts and pages are assigned to the appropriate user.

5. Using Another Predictable Username

Changing admin to administrator doesn’t provide much improvement. Use a unique username that isn’t obvious.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my WordPress username from the dashboard?

WordPress doesn’t normally provide a direct username-edit option in the standard profile editor. You can create a new administrator account and remove the old one, or use another method such as a suitable plugin or database editing.

Will changing the username delete my posts?

No. Changing the username itself does not delete posts. If you delete an old user account, however, WordPress will ask you how to handle content owned by that account.

Can I change the username through phpMyAdmin?

Yes. The username is stored in the WordPress users table, normally in the user_login field.

Is changing admin enough to secure WordPress?

No. It is only one security improvement. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, updates, backups, and other security measures remain important.

Can I change the WordPress username without changing the password?

Yes. The username and password are separate account properties, so changing the username does not require changing the password.

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Final Thoughts

Changing a WordPress administrator username is a straightforward way to improve the security of an existing website, especially when the current username is predictable. For beginners, creating a new administrator account and safely transferring content is generally easier than editing the database manually.

For advanced users who have database access, phpMyAdmin provides another option by modifying the appropriate user_login value.

Whichever method you use, create a backup first and test the new administrator account before removing or modifying the old one.