How to Use WhatsMyName App to Search Social Media Usernames

If you've ever wondered which platforms a certain username has been registered on—or who might be hiding behind a social media handle—WhatsMyName is one of the most powerful open-source tools available. Whether you’re conducting an OSINT investigation, checking for brand impersonation, or just trying to reclaim your digital identity, this tool can help uncover where a specific username is in use across dozens (even hundreds) of platforms.

This guide breaks down how the WhatsMyName app and web version work, how to use them effectively, and when to consider alternatives like Erasa’s Reverse Username Search for deeper results

What Is WhatsMyName App and Why People Use It?

🟩 WhatsMyName helps users find where a specific username exists across various platforms, from mainstream social networks to niche forums.

Originally built for digital investigators and cybersecurity researchers, WhatsMyName has become widely used by journalists, HR teams, and even regular users trying to verify online identities. By inputting just a username, it checks whether that handle is taken across hundreds of known services.

It works via a large public database of platform patterns and endpoints. Some versions run in the browser (WhatsMyName Web), while others are used through command-line tools or third-party scripts.

How to Use WhatsMyName App or Web: Step-by-Step

🟩 Using WhatsMyName is simple: input a username, run a check, and explore the results across platforms.

There are two main ways to access WhatsMyName:

• WhatsMyName Web: A browser-based version, ideal for quick searches with no setup.
• WhatsMyName App or script: Often used via GitHub CLI, Sherlock, or tools like Maigret. These may require basic Python knowledge or terminal use.

To use WhatsMyName Web:

1. Visit a hosted instance or run it locally via GitHub.
2. Enter the username you want to search.
3. Select platforms or let it scan all supported services.
4. View results, which will show confirmed matches and “maybe found” results.

The more unique the username, the more accurate your results will be. Keep in mind: some services require additional verification or cookies to confirm active usage.

What Makes WhatsMyName So Powerful?

🟩 It’s lightweight, open-source, and connects to hundreds of digital platforms globally.

A few standout features include:

• Constantly updated detection rules
• Multi-platform support across social media, adult sites, developer forums, gaming platforms, and more
• Free to use and community-maintained
• Integration with popular OSINT stacks like Recon-ng, Maltego, or browser plugins

It’s also ideal for identifying brand impersonation or monitoring username availability across the web.

Limitations and False Positives: What You Should Know

🟩 WhatsMyName is a scanning tool—not a 100% verification engine. Some matches may be outdated or incorrect.

The tool doesn’t always verify account ownership or activity. A match doesn’t mean the person you're searching for is actively using that account—it just shows that the username is in use.

Tips to improve accuracy:

• Use a unique or known username
• Cross-check “maybe” results manually
• Combine with browser extensions or cookie-authenticated queries
• Use it alongside visual profile checks (profile photos, bios, etc.)

Need Deeper Username Tracking? Try Erasa Reverse Username Search

🟩 If WhatsMyName isn’t enough—for example, when you need verified matches, richer metadata, or bulk search—Erasa’s Reverse Username Search fills the gap.

While WhatsMyName is ideal for one-off OSINT lookups, Erasa provides a commercial-grade solution:

• Aggregates usernames across surface + deep web sources
• Includes social profiles, impersonation risks, and domain mentions
• Offers reverse image + email + name cross-matching
• Supports batch imports, alerts, and takedown integration

Whether you're a brand manager monitoring misuse of your identity, or a creator looking for leaks, Erasa's platform goes beyond the surface to give a more complete picture.

➡️ You can try Erasa’s free username search tool at Erasa Reverse Username Search to see where your handle might be leaking or misused.

WhatsMyName + Erasa: The Best of Both Worlds

🟩 Use WhatsMyName for quick open-source checks; add Erasa for deeper discovery, alerts, and action.

Many users combine both tools for maximum coverage:

• Use WhatsMyName to get a general idea of where a name is used
• Then, use Erasa to verify identity, find clones, track mentions, and initiate takedown requests
• Both tools are privacy-friendly and require no login to start

This combo gives you speed and depth—ideal for OSINT analysts, security professionals, and creators alike.

FAQs About WhatsMyName App and Username Search

What is WhatsMyName used for?

It's a tool that scans multiple websites to find where a specific username is registered or in use.

Is WhatsMyName app free to use?

Yes. The tool is open-source and completely free, though some hosted versions may have usage limits.

How do I use the WhatsMyName web version?

Visit a live site or run it locally, input a username, select services, and run the scan. No sign-up needed.

Can I use WhatsMyName to find someone's identity?

It can show where a username appears, but it doesn’t prove identity. Always verify manually or use tools like Erasa for more precise results.

What’s the difference between WhatsMyName and Erasa Reverse Username Search?

WhatsMyName is lightweight and open-source. Erasa offers more robust data, reverse lookup by multiple identifiers, and enforcement features.

Does WhatsMyName support bulk username search?

Not directly, but with scripting tools or integration with CLI stacks, you can run multiple searches in batches.

Where can I download the WhatsMyName app or scripts?

The GitHub repository is the most updated source. Some community tools like Maigret or Sherlock also integrate it.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, online identity management is more crucial than ever. Whether you're researching a threat actor, verifying a date, or monitoring your brand’s digital footprint, tools like WhatsMyName and Erasa help reveal where your name—and reputation—may be showing up.

Want to know where your handle is being used, cloned, or misused? Start with WhatsMyName. Want deeper answers, alerts, and takedowns? Let Erasa show you what lies beneath.

Read More

1.Reverse Social Media Lookup: Find Hidden Accounts by Email

2.Reverse Username Search Guide (2025) | Protect Your Content & Identity

3.Best Username Search Engines to Find Social Media Accounts in 2025