Staring down the likes of the ID field, seen amongst countless social media applications the world over, the 20-year-old New Zealander had very few options. A few keystrokes. Delete. Delete. Delete. A glance towards the ceiling, as if to summon his muse. And finally to Google, for inspiration.
But, where the myriad of name generator sites failed to match Brett with those few precious words strewn together to create the screen name he always dreamt of, his mission became clear: In order to beat this challenge, he would have to help others beat theirs.
A few months later, NameGenerator.biz was born in the September 2009, and Griffin's screen name generator has quickly become a search favorite.
"I found it quite difficult to come up with good screen names for sites like YouTube and Gmail, so I had a look on the web for a screen name generator but I couldn't find one that generates good names," he said.
Setting out to build one of the top screen name generators on the Web, Griffin, a self-employed web developer, went the extra mile. Whereas many screen name engines simple spit out words haphazardly, NameGenerator.biz needed to do more, he said.
The end result: A simple, but truly useful site, allowing users to plug in their keywords and track "favorite lists" of generated screen names.
The Key to a Good Screen Name
Creating screennames, whether for your favorite IM client, Facebook or email address, is serious business. Experts say your screen name could make or break job opportunities.
But, what makes a great ID for your accounts?
Griffin opts for a simple equation: select an adjective for your personality, then add a word to describe your profession or hobby.
"For artists some screen names could be 'OutrageousArtist' or 'DevilishArtist' and of course if these were not available," he said, "you can then add numbers or a prefix to the screen name to create names like 'TheDevilishArtist' or 'DevilishArtist6.'"
Of course, the shorter the screenname, the better, Griffin adds.
In response to the warnings given by some regarding screennames and your professional life, Griffin says it is important to remember outside of work, you are still your own person.
"If nothing else a screen name should be entertaining and taken in jest."
