What is a display name and why do I have to customize it?

Your display name is the friendly name shown next to your activity around the site — on your profile, your public pieces, comments, and show registrations. It's separate from your username, which is your unique handle and URL.

Think of it this way:

• Username = @bob-the-builder (unique, part of your link)
• Display name = Bob R. (what people actually read)

Why customize it

A brand-new account starts with a placeholder display name. Some community actions — like registering for a show — ask you to set a real (non-default) display name first, so other attendees know who they're talking to. Set it under Account → Edit profile.

Related: Why is my username "user-xxxxxxxx"? and What does making my profile public or private do?