Your LinkedIn profile name is one of the most important elements of your LinkedIn presence. It’s the first thing people see when they view your profile, and it also affects how others can find you in LinkedIn search. Choosing the right LinkedIn profile name is crucial for building your personal brand and connecting with the right people.
When creating your profile name, you want it to be professional, memorable, and optimized for search. You don’t necessarily need to use your full legal name – you have the flexibility to create a name that best represents you. Here are some tips for choosing the ideal LinkedIn profile name:
Use your full name
Using your first and last name is the default option for your profile name on LinkedIn. This is a safe bet because it’s professional and allows you to be easily found by your connections. Even if you go by a nickname or middle name in your everyday life, using your full first and last name can prevent confusion and help ensure the right people can find you.
For example, if your name is Robert Jones but you normally go by Bob, using the profile name “Robert Jones” makes you easy to find for coworkers, classmates, recruiters, and anyone else searching for you by your full name.
Include a middle name or middle initial
Adding your middle name or middle initial to your first and last name can help differentiate you from others who share your first and last name. It also gives your name a more complete, professional appearance.
For example, “Robert T. Jones” or “Robert Thomas Jones” helps identify you apart from other Robert Joneses out there. Just be sure the middle name or initial you use is the one you’re known by.
Use a professional nickname
If you are universally known by a professional nickname, using it in your profile name can make sense. For example, if your legal name is Thomas but you are known as Tom or Tommy professionally, “Tom Smith” or “Tommy Smith” would be appropriate.
The nickname should only be used if you are commonly addressed by it in your industry. Avoid using casual nicknames that you wouldn’t normally use in a professional environment.
Incorporate your maiden name
Women who change their last name after marriage sometimes include their maiden name in their LinkedIn profile name for continuity. This allows colleagues who have known you by your maiden name to still find you.
For example, if Jane Doe got married and changed her last name to Smith, she could use “Jane Doe Smith” or “Jane Doe-Smith” in her profile name. Just be sure “Doe” is the name associates are most likely to search.
Use your business name or personal brand
If you have an established business name or personal brand you use professionally, integrating it into your profile name can be beneficial. For example, if you are a consultant or speaker with a distinctive business name, including it in brackets after your name, like “Mary Smith [Bright Ideas Consulting]” or “John Johnson [Level Up Leadership]” helps people find you based on your brand name.
Just be sure it is a brand name you are fully committed to using as part of your identity before adding it to your profile name.
How to optimize your LinkedIn profile name for search
In addition to making your name professional and reflective of your identity, you also want to optimize it for LinkedIn search. This improves your chances of being found by recruiters, business contacts, and new connections. Here are some optimization tips:
Front-load the key words
Putting the keywords and phrases you want to rank for earlier in your profile name can improve your search visibility. For example, if you are a marketing expert who wants to be found for “digital marketing,” name yourself “Digital Marketing Expert Jackson Taylor” instead of “Jackson Taylor, Digital Marketing Expert.”
Incorporate relevant keywords
Sprinkle in words throughout your name that relate to your industry, skillset, job titles, certifications, etc. For example, “Mark Smith [Certified Public Accountant]” or “Mary Johnson, PMP, Software Engineer.” This provides more specific keywords to help you rank higher in relevant searches.
Avoid overuse of keywords
While keywords are beneficial, your profile name shouldn’t just be a long list of keywords strung together. Keep it professional – front-load 1-2 keywords at most and add others naturally throughout as makes sense.
Use proper name capitalization
Capitalize your first and last name normally (not all caps or all lowercase) and capitalize major words in your professional brand name. Proper capitalization improves the professionalism and searchability of your name.
For example, “Robert Smith, CPA [Jones & Adams Consulting]” looks best, not “robert smith cpa [jones & adams consulting]”.
Examples of good LinkedIn profile names
Here are some profile name examples that are professional, effective, and optimized:
- Gregory Harper [Harper Financial Services]
- Susan Klein, Attorney at Law
- Digital Marketing Expert Lisa Chang
- John Smith CPA, Financial Analyst
- Laura Rodriguez-Allen, Software Engineer
- Jane Doe-Williams, Cyber Security Specialist
These names incorporate a mix of full names, middle names/initials, maiden names, professional nicknames, branding, keywords, job titles, and certifications.
Elements to avoid in your LinkedIn profile name
While you want to get creative, there are some profile name elements that come across as unprofessional or inappropriate on LinkedIn:
- Casual nicknames (“Bobby” instead of “Robert”)
- Over-the-top branding statements (“Guru”, “Ninja”, “Wizard”)
- Jargon or technical terms that are not commonly understood
- Titles you cannot officially claim (CEO, Founder, Director, Dr.)
- Qualifiers like “Best” or “#1”
- Emojis or special characters
- Excessive repetition of the same keywords
Stick to a profile name that feels authentic and captures your professional identity. Avoid terms or formatting that seem like overreach or don’t match your actual credentials.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some common questions people have about optimizing their LinkedIn profile name:
Do I have to use my legal name on LinkedIn?
No, you are not required to use your full legal name on LinkedIn. You have flexibility to create a profile name that represents your professional identity, using some variation of your formal name. Just avoid using nicknames only your friends use or branding names with no connection to your real identity.
Can I change my LinkedIn profile name?
Yes, you can change your profile name. Simply go to your profile, click “View profile”, and select “Edit public profile & URL” on desktop or “Edit profile” on mobile. Here you can type a new profile name and save changes.
However, be mindful that changing your name too frequently may confuse your connections. Stick to one profile name once you find an optimal fit.
What if my name is too common and other people have the same name?
If there are multiple other people with your exact name on LinkedIn, consider adding differentiating elements like your middle name, middle initial, maiden name, location, or professional brand name to your profile name. This will help you stand out from the crowd when people search for you.
What if I’m connected with someone under my old name?
When you change your profile name, your connections will still see your original name when viewing older messages. But they’ll see the new name when viewing your updated profile or new messages. Consider letting your network know about your name change in a post to minimize confusion.
How often can I change my LinkedIn profile URL?
In your LinkedIn account settings, you can edit your profile URL twice. After updating it twice, your custom URL will remain permanent moving forward. So choose your customized URL wisely based on your long-term goals.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn profile name is an important element that requires thought and strategy. Choose a name that reflects your professional identity and personal brand. Optimize it with relevant keywords to help you stand out in recruiter and contact searches. And aim for a profile name that looks polished, credible and memorable.
With the right name in place, you’ll be more findable, memorable and connected on the powerful LinkedIn platform. Just be sure to avoid overuse of keywords, inappropriate nicknames, and unsubstantiated titles.
Take the time to craft and refine the ideal profile name for your needs. This investment will pay dividends for your LinkedIn presence and career growth for years to come.
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Klein |
| Full Name with Middle Name/Initial | Robert T. Jones |
| Full Name with Maiden Name | Jane Doe-Williams |
| Full Name with Professional Nickname | Tom Johnson |
| Full Name with Certifications | Mary Smith, PMP, CSM |
| Full Name with Job Title | John Johnson, Financial Analyst |
| Full Name with Business Name | Gregory Harper [Harper Financial Services] |
