Most websites with user profile pages have a name and a username as different fields on the profile. The name, more often than not, represents the actual name of the person who signed up for the account. The username is usually a shorter easier to remember name (sometimes a nick name) that is used to login to the account together with the same password.

Skype, over the years has caused a lot of confusion because they use a slightly different lingo from what is universally known as name and username. This causes mix up especially when reading and watching tutorials when you think you are reading about one thing while in fact you’re reading about the other.

According to “Skype-world”, what you would call ‘skype username’ is actually called Skype Name​. And your Skype name depends on how you signed up for the account. If you signed up with a different email, then your Skype name is “chris.muniu”, “johndoe56” or any other name. Basically what you would call the username. If you sign up for Skype using your Microsoft account, then your Microsoft username is your Skype name.

The Skype account name (your actual name) is known on Skype as Skype Display Name​. This is the name that really represents you. Just like your Facebook name or Twitter name, this should be similar or very close to the name that appears on your ID or passport. So when reading an article like this ‘change skype name‘ tutorial, then you know well the difference between Skype name and Skype display name. Skype name actually means your Skype id or if you like, skype username.

While you can change your Skype Display name in a few easy steps, unfortunately you’ll not be able to change the Skype name/Skype username/skype ID. I have no idea why Skype doesn’t let users change their usernames in 2018. You might have to sign up for a new Skype account to have a change of your Skype ID if you really have to.

Skype is not the only website that has a unique and somewhat confusing lingo. You might come across other but it’s important to know that terms like ‘Skype name’ could mean different things on different websites. But since Skype is so popular, it causes a lot of confusion.

So next time you see an article talking about the Skype name, they are actually referring to the ‘username’ of your Skype account.

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