Does no one else share similar usernames?

And there was me thinking I was special Cari

I just wish I could remember anyone’s name.?
I shouldn’t think that the poster with similar name to you meant to upset you luckylegs so don’t take offence.
Is there a list of names somewhere so new members could avoid ‘taking’ a name that is too close to an existing one? If not, why not? It would also be useful to give tips on how not to pick a name that is easily identifiable.
I wish I had chosen a more obscure one but, at the moment, I don’t think anyone else in my life is on GN.

When we first join, before we choose a name, could we do a search and see if any similar names come up? Does that work?

When I first joined GN on that first day all those years ago there where only a couple of hundred members then.but now we are in the thousands and it is difficult to find a suitable name by some people.
There are now a few glamma's on the forum with slight differences but I am the original so to speak.
Luckylegs you just stay as you are we know who you are and would be so sad to loose you.

One way of distinguishing people with similar usernames is to include a number- and not just a single digit (especially not a 1 (one) as that can be confused with L. When I was choosing a name, I wasn’t sure if there would be other Farmors so added 15.

I wonder would Gransnet allow existing users to modify usernames to include a number, or change the computer settings so all new names had to include a number- as with many websites? I’ve definitely got confused by the similar names, especially if it’s a controversial subject.

What a good idea seacliffe?? I totally agree.

I do think names plus a number are too confusing are people really going to remember that Daffodil is a fervent feminist but Daffodil1 can’t stand feminists ( made up names in case anyone is jumping up and down I haven’t seen a daffodil on here.)
Can’t you make a rule no numbers you could have a name plus a spelled numer Daffodilone would be much less confusing

BlueBelle I get you and a similar named poster mixed up.

Oh dear, I m me Lemongrove
i did see a Bluebell123 the other day which i d never seen before would that be who you mean ?
Maybe I should change it to BLUEBELLE then you d all think I was shouting at you ??but you wouldn’t miss me would you?

I completely get why the system can't refuse names that are similar, only names that are identical.
What would be good is if, as a new member types in their chosen nickname on registration, a list of users with similar nicknames was generated. In this way they would at least see that there are others already registered with near identical names and they could then perhaps think about choosing something else.
I've been on forums where there is a search facility for members, and the entire member list is generated. I can't think of a single reason why that would be a bad idea, though I'm willing to be persuaded why it could be.