Restrict Usernames
Restrict the usernames that new users may use when registering for your site.
3.6(14 reviews)
·200 active installs·Updated 7 years agoAs of April 2026, Restrict Usernames is a WordPress users plugin with 200 active installations and a 3.6/5 rating from 14 reviews. It has been downloaded 24K+ times in total. Requires WordPress 4.7+ and PHP false+. Available on WordPress.org since 2009. Last updated 7 years ago — may have compatibility concerns. Top alternative: User Switching.
3.6/514 reviews
200active installs
24K+total downloads
17 yearssince 2009
Overview
This plugin allows you to restrict the usernames that new users may use when registering for your site.
If open registration is enabled for your site (via Settings -> General -> Membership (“Anyone can register”)), WordPress allows visitors to register for an account on your blog. By default, any username they choose is allowed so long as it isn’t an already existing account and it doesn’t include invalid (i.e. non-alphanumeric) characters.
Possible reasons for wanting to restrict certain usernames:
- Prevent usernames that contain foul, offensive, or otherwise undesired words
- Prevent squatting on usernames that you may want to use in the future (but don’t want to actually create the account for just yet) (essentially placing a hold on the username)
- Prev…
Screenshots
Ratings & Reviews
3.614 reviews
5 ★
9
4 ★
0
3 ★
0
2 ★
0
1 ★
5
Compatibility
| WordPress | 4.7+ requiredTested up to 4.9.29 |
| PHP | false+ required |
Top Alternatives to Restrict Usernames
Frequently Asked Questions
Changelog
3.7 (2018-06-19)
Highlights:
- This release fixes a few bugs (notably one preventing username restrictions from working well for BuddyPress and Multisite) and makes numerous behind-the-scenes changes.
Details:
- Fix: Correct inverted conditional logic that prevented restrictions from being enforced for BuddyPress and Multisite
- Fix: Make restricted usernames and partial usernames case insensitive for comparisons
- Fix: Make username testing input field responsive
- Change: Update plugin framework to 048
…and 39 more changes
Contributors
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Analysis and metrics by PluginSift.