Every name I try is taken?

[oHAMBURGLARo]

I spent like 10 minutes typing in obscure names and none of them worked. I even used uncommon names such as Irenaeus, Chrysogonus, and Polycarp, but those too were taken. And then it doesn't let me put numbers in the name either. I just want to try this game out and see if I like it!

[Sunsetter]

Yeah, it's a common problem, some say it's a bug, others say that the game is out for so long, that without wipes this is what you get. I guess you can always try naming your character Fgjeifgrjfgierujgerghrhjfgn or something...

[Fork_Q2]

Might help: https://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/20010208b

[Alkaline]

I assume its a bug. I was trying to come up with a name and at one point I did try something like dsafass and it was taken. So either I have the worst luck ever or it is indeed a bug

[Fork_Q2]

According to Steam Stats, there were a total of 12,393 different players playing Path of Exile today. If each of those players have at least 4 (a number I just pulled out my backside) that is nearly 50,000 unique names taken.

Sounds to me not necessarily like a bug, just that there are so many names already taken.

[Sunsetter]

While we're at it, does any one know why you can't use a surname in PoE?

[Fork_Q2]

Originally posted by Samael:

While we're at it, does any one know why you can't use a surname in PoE?

I like to think it is this reason:

http://www.xkcd.com/327/

But the reality is that restrictions on what type of data can be added to a table of unique names will save on space and speeds up search queries.

[Loco]

If it helps, names are case sensitive, and you can use _ also in them. For your first name you tried, you could try using a lower case 'L' instead of a capital 'I' and see if that name is taken. Also, I'll use _ a lot in my names to either separate a first and last name.

OP, going for a catholic name? If not that's some interesting choices, and agreed, definitely uncommon too lol.

[Mållgan]

Have you tried putting xXx before and after your name like a typical cod player?

[Scraphead]

You could try splitting up your name with an underscore _ like mine is See_Jay, will look like a space in game because all chat text is underlined.

[Boiledteabag]

Originally posted by itrolu:

Have you tried putting xXx before and after your name like a typical cod player?

Dude watch me 360nosightwindow this zombie with an explosive shot, dude its so MLG.

[brooklyncontrivance]

Generally I try to go with names that fit in with the setting of a game, but in POE I've largely had to abandon that practice due to the number of already taken names. The sooner you embrace that (whether you want to or not) the less painful a process you'll find naming your characters to be.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to log in to my facebreaker marauder, Slapocalypse_Now.

[Heikob]

Originally posted by Fork_Q:

According to Steam Stats, there were a total of 12,393 different players playing Path of Exile today. If each of those players have at least 4 (a number I just pulled out my backside) that is nearly 50,000 unique names taken.

Sounds to me not necessarily like a bug, just that there are so many names already taken.

Just a few points :
Not all PoE players play through Steam (roughly half of them)
In 2013 only, 3.7 million PoE accounts were created

So no, it's definitely not a bug. People have already taken a huge amounts of names, including the dumbest ones like "dfasass". It was already a problem back in 2012 during closed beta, now it's an actual puzzle to come up with a new name.
Hopefully GGG will do something about this soon.

[oHAMBURGLARo]

Originally posted by Loco:

If it helps, names are case sensitive, and you can use _ also in them. For your first name you tried, you could try using a lower case 'L' instead of a capital 'I' and see if that name is taken. Also, I'll use _ a lot in my names to either separate a first and last name.

OP, going for a catholic name? If not that's some interesting choices, and agreed, definitely uncommon too lol.

Thanks for the tips, I will try some of those. Yes, going for a Catholic saint's name lol. Nice pick-up. I love the Greek Church Father's names, they are so beautiful.

[Zeune]

Underscores _ typically always solve the problem. But if not be more creative.

[Tickled Pickle]

I don't even bother coming up with legit names anymore. I literally have characters named "In_Need_of_Inspiration" and "Undead_Encouragement" seriously... the sooner you just give up on a legit name, the better imo. <3