Naming guide

How to name email aliases so you can recognize the sender at a glance

A good prefix is recognizable and sustainable without revealing your name or birthday. Consistent rules make leaks and marketing overload easier to trace.

Three building blocks

Organize aliases by “category + source + time,” not personal details

You don’t need all three parts every time. Keep only the clues that will actually help later, and stay within the permitted length.

Source

Use a short service name to identify a specific website, such as shop-orchid. Never include a password, order number, or real name.

Time

Add a year for seasonal activities, such as event-2026. Long-term accounts usually don’t need dates added repeatedly.

Format limits

Which prefixes are likely to work

A prefix must start with a letter, followed by letters, numbers, dots, underscores, or hyphens. Reserved terms and names already in use will be rejected.

Example	Assessment	Reason	Suggested change
shop-orchid	Good	Clearly identifies the source without personal information	Ready to use
news_2026	Good	Valid characters; suitable for an annual subscription	Ready to use
19881231-name	Not recommended	Reveals clues about a birthday and name	Use a category and source instead
mail-admin	May be rejected	Contains a common system-reserved meaning	Use a specific service name instead
-store	Invalid	Does not start with a letter	Change it to store-west
ab	Invalid	Too short and does not meet the format requirements	Add an identifiable source

Four maintainable approaches

Choose the approach that matches how you’ll actually review your aliases

The simpler the rule, the easier it is to follow over time. Don’t create cryptic random abbreviations just to make them look neat.

One alias per site

Gives you the most precise tracking and works well for shopping, subscriptions, and community accounts.

Group by category

Fewer addresses, but it’s harder to identify the source when multiple sites in the same category are exposed.

Event batches

Use a year or event name to manage conferences, courses, and short-term projects.

Random prefixes

Generate one automatically when you don’t want the name to reveal its source, and add a note in your own records.

Maintenance

A name is only an index; pausing and deleting give you control

When an address starts receiving suspicious mail, first check whether it is still used for account recovery. Then choose whether to pause or delete it.

What should I do if an alias starts receiving spam?

Pause it first and monitor the situation. Check whether the linked account lets you change its email address. Delete the alias only after confirming you no longer need it for recovery.

Can I use one alias for multiple websites?

Yes, but you’ll lose the ability to pinpoint the source of a leak. High-value or high-volume services are best given separate aliases.

Why shouldn’t I use my name and birthday?

A third party may see the alias. Personal clues weaken isolation and can also be used to guess other accounts.

What happens if I leave the prefix blank?

The dashboard generates a random prefix that follows the format and avoids common reserved terms. It’s useful when you don’t want to create a name yourself.