Is that GitHub username still available?
For a dev tool or open-source project, github.com/name matters as much as the .com. Check a username against live GitHub accounts and GitHub's naming rules, plus the matching domains.
One check covers .com / .ai / .io domains plus Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, GitHub and Reddit handles.
GitHub username rules
- Length: up to 39 characters.
- Characters: letters, numbers and single hyphens. A username cannot start or end with a hyphen or contain consecutive hyphens; underscores and periods are not allowed.
- Case: usernames are case-insensitive — github.com/BrandName and github.com/brandname are the same account, displayed with your chosen capitalization.
- Renaming: you can rename at any time and the old username is freed immediately. Repository URLs redirect to the new name, but profile links, gists and @mentions break.
What each result means
The platform returned no profile for this handle. That is a strong signal it is free, but the only definitive test is completing signup — some platforms hide banned or reserved names the same way.
We found a live public profile at this handle. Someone owns it right now.
Honest answer: the platform is currently blocking automated lookups (rate limits, anti-bot walls). We never guess — use the review link to confirm yourself in one click.
GitHub is friendlier to automated checks than social platforms, but rate limits still trigger the occasional 'manual check required'. It means unverified, nothing more.
The username is taken. Now what?
GitHub usernames share a namespace with organizations, so think in project terms: brand-dev, brand-labs, brandhq — or take the org name (brand-app) and keep your personal handle separate. Hyphens are idiomatic on GitHub in a way they are not anywhere else.
GitHub names free up constantly — developers rename, orgs consolidate, and GitHub's name-squatting policy means dormant accounts are sometimes released. A watch checks the username on a schedule and emails you when it opens.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim an inactive GitHub username?
Sometimes. GitHub has an explicit name-squatting policy, and support has historically released usernames of truly dormant accounts (no repos, no activity) when asked. It is case-by-case and never guaranteed — file a support ticket, and keep a watch running in the meantime.
What happens to links if a user renames and I take the old name?
GitHub redirects the previous owner's repository URLs until the old username is reused. The moment you register it, those redirects stop — which is also why you should be careful renaming your own account.
Do usernames and organization names share the same pool?
Yes. A GitHub login is unique across users and organizations, so if an org owns the name you want, it is just as taken as if a user did.
What does 'manual check required' mean?
Our automated lookup hit a rate limit or block and could not verify the username either way. Open the review link to see the profile page yourself.
Are GitHub usernames case-sensitive?
No. Case only affects display. You cannot register EasyName if easyname exists.