Check the name first
- See whether the username is taken, inactive or free with the username check.
- Settle one plain-letter spelling that fits all three platforms.
- Collect proof tied to the name: a mark, a business record or a profile that is posing as you.
The brand and trademark guide covers the proof side.
Writing a New Zealand name as a username
Many New Zealand names use macrons, as in Māori or Tāmati. A username cannot carry the macron on a platform whose rule names Latin letters, so the plain spelling has to stand in. If the plain form collides with a different word, a short suffix is a common choice, and it keeps the name readable.
What each platform allows
| Platform | What to know |
|---|---|
| Letters, numbers, periods and underscores, up to 30 characters. | |
| TikTok | Letters, numbers, underscores and periods, and a change is allowed once every 30 days. |
| Snapchat | 3 to 15 characters, Latin letters, numbers and one separator, and a change is allowed once every 12 months. |
Read the username rules guide and same username on every platform before you settle on a spelling.
Law and support notes for New Zealand
The Fair Trading Act 1986 is enforced by the Commerce Commission, and the Privacy Act 2020 by the Privacy Commissioner. A username decision is not covered by either. The price is agreed in your chat or email before any work starts, and a failed claim is covered by the refund policy.
Reference points: trade marks are handled by the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ), and personal data by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner. These are not legal advice.