WeChat Usernames: An Exploratory Study of Users’ Selection Practices

Abstract

As one of the most popular social networking applications in China, WeChat has recently attracted scholarly attention. To date, these studies have tended to concentrate on how it has been used as a social networking and emerging business model. However, little is known about the practices users follow when selecting usernames on WeChat. Using an onomastic lens, this study addresses this gap by examining 501 WeChat usernames. With data collected through an online survey, this study first investigates categories emerging from the name corpus and explores the reasons behind each of these categories. It then analyzes the sociocultural ramifications embedded within this use of names. As one of the first of its kind, the article provides key insight into how the interplay of online discourse, acquaintance networks, and Chinese culture contribute to the development of this important onomastic phenomenon.

Keywords:

• WeChat
• usernames
• internet
• China
• acquaintance network
• online discourse

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the CSC–Newcastle University Joint Scholarship.

Notes on contributors

Xing Xu

Xing Xu is a lecturer at Sichuan International Studies University, China, and a PhD candidate at the University of Newcastle, Australia. Her areas of interest are identity theory, cross-cultural adaptation, and doctoral student issues.

He Huang

He Huang is a full-time researcher at Research Center for Language, Cognition and Language Application of Chongqing University, China. His areas of interest are computational linguistics, corpus linguistics, and big data.

Ting Jiang

Professor Ting Jiang is responsible for English for Academic Purposes course for doctoral students in Chongqing University. Her research interests focus on English for Academic Purposes, English for Specific Purposes, and Systemic-Functional Linguistics.

Yuanpeng Zou

Yuanpeng Zou is a lecturer in the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures, Chongqing University, China. Her areas of academic interest are English for Academic Purposes, English for Specific Purposes, and Cross-cultural communication.