One of the great parts about creating a dating profile is that you get the chance to recreate yourself. In a way, it’s like acting. You choose the clothes and the roll and wander on stage to see who will pay for admission. Part of the process is choosing a new name – an alias that other members on dating sites you join will come to know you by. When choosing your handle, make sure to keep the following in mind.

Get rid of the real
Never use your real name in your profile. Although unlikely, people could possibly use it to find out other personal details such as where you live and what cereal you like to eat it the morning.

Be creative
Choose something that will represent you in some way. People tend to ask why you chose a specific name so be prepared to answer that question with whatever name you pick. Also, you might just want to use the same name on every dating site you join so make sure it’s unique enough that you can use it on many without fear of someone else having taken it already.

Make it Memorable
You’re going to want people to remember your name. Try to pick one that rolls off the tongue with ease and isn’t too hard to remember. Try to avoid using a lot of numbers unless they somehow add to the charm. A name like 4you2love might be okay but cute4357 will certainly put peoples memories to the test.

Ideas are clicks away
If you’re having trouble settling on a name, there are lots of ideas around. There are plenty of websites that can help. Here’s one massive directory put together by LowchensAustralia.com, but it’s far more expansive than a simple list of puppy names. You can choose from lists of pirate names, fantasy names, names from nature or gambling names and names of boats, angels and gods. You can also choose from cultural names from the Chinese, Celtic, Roman and French. There’re tons more so if you’re looking for inspiration, that site will be a great place to start!

Your name will be a part of your online dating image. Choose it carefully but be adventurous. With any luck, you’ll leave a lasting impression on the man or woman of your dreams!