Remember, trail names are just nick names used by hikers.
Those new to the world of thru-hiking may be wondering “how do I get a trail name” or “how do hikers come up with their trail names”. Fortunately, there is a set of (until now) unwritten rules surrounding the subject.
I would consider these “rules” to be widely known/regarded, but none of this is set in stone. Trail names are meant to be something fun within the community and you can do whatever you wish as far as your trail name goes.
On that note, before we get into the unwritten trail name rules, know that you do not have to have a trail name. If you want to use your “regular” name for the entirety of the trail, feel free to do so.
Chances are you will still be asked about your trail name and other hikers will try to give you one.
If you make it clear you don’t want a trail name and someone continues to try to give you one (and this bothers you), then maybe that’s not a person you should spend any more time around.
With that caveat out of the way, here are the unwritten rules of trail names.
You cannot give yourself a trail name.
A trail name needs to be given to you by someone else, you cannot make up your own.
Unless you really want to give yourself a trail name.
You must accept a trail name for it to become your trail name.
Other hikers cannot unilaterally decide what your trail name is.
You are allowed to change your trail name.
But know this will make it incredibly difficult for others to identify you.
But it is never too late to change a name you aren’t happy with.
You can get a new trail name on a new hike.
Although many hikers choose to keep their trail names to be more easily identified by people they may have met previously.
After all, you can change your trail name any time you want.
There is no length requirement for trail names.
Trail names can be as simple as “7” or as long as (or longer than) “Endless Postman Summer”. Just know that if you have a long trail name, your fellow hikers will likely find a way to shorten it.
Two or three syllables is the longest a trail name gets without getting shortened.
You can have the same trail name as another hiker.
Just like names off the trail, there is quite often overlap with trail names in the hiking community. No name is off-limits and there’s no quota for each trail name on a particular trail.
Though I’d hesitate to go with one used by more than seven or eight other people in the same year.
You do not have to have a trail name.
I stated this above but it bears repeating: you do not need to take a trail name while on the trail. There is nothing wrong with going by your given name.
Lots of people do that.
Anyone can give you a trail name, and you can give a trail name to anyone.
There’s no quota on the number of trail names each person can give out. That said, don’t be the person who meets someone without a trail name and then instantly tries to name everyone after knowing them for ten seconds.
Those people are obnoxious.
You do not need a trail name to give out a trail name.
You can still give people trail names if you don’t have one (whether by choice or because it hasn’t come about yet). It’s not like you need to be in the “trail name club” before you’re allowed to participate.
Do not put your trail name (only) on any packages you send yourself.
This is an important rule and perhaps the only one that is a real rule you must follow. It’s easy to get into the trail culture and go by your trail name even when in town.
However, when sending yourself a resupply package, gear, or whatever else through the mail, use the name on your identification (which you’ll likely be asked for to pick up your package/mail).
Or both your “real” name and your trail name. But don’t skip your real name.
Don’t think you will be the only person “allowed” to use your name.
