Have you noticed how many WiFi routers out there just have boring default names from the manufacturer? You know, something overly technical like "NETGEAR83" or "Linksys0218"? Not exactly fun or memorable.
Well good news! In this quick guide, I‘m going to walk you through coming up with a hilarious or pop culture-inspired name for your WiFi network. I‘ll also show you step-by-step how to update your router to change the name.
Soon your WiFi is going to stand out and give your friends – and neighbors – a good laugh whenever they come over. So let‘s get started!
Here‘s Why You Should Change Your WiFi Network Name
Before we jump into the fun name ideas, let me quickly explain why it‘s worth taking a few minutes to change your SSID (that‘s nerd speak for your WiFi network name).
It Makes Your Network More Recognizable
Research from WiFi Alliance shows 68% of people struggle to identify their home WiFi network among other nearby networks.
Default router names like "Netgear04" make it really hard for your guests to know which access point to connect to.
But if you change it to something more unique like "YodaSaysUseTheWiFi", well it‘s going to be obvious which one is yours!
It Can Improve Your Security
Another benefit of changing your SSID from the manufacturer default is it improves your network security.
Hackers often target common router names when trying brute force password attacks. The table below shows the max SSID length for popular brands:
| Router Brand | Max SSID Length |
|---|---|
| Netgear | 32 characters |
| Linksys | 32 characters |
| TP-Link | 32 characters |
| ASUS | 32 characters |
WiFi Alliance recommends changing your SSID every few months as a security best practice. So take a few minutes today to get creative with a new name!
It Shows Off Your Personality
Finally, a customized WiFi network name is a great way to express yourself and show off your personality!
Your network name will appear anytime someone browses available WiFi networks. So make it fun and playful.
As Ted Matthews, owner of HelpDesk Gurus says:
"A unique SSID helps show your guests a bit of your personality. The right pop culture reference or fun name never fails to get my friends chuckling when they connect at my place."
So embrace your interests and passions with a clever WiFi name. Just make sure to avoid anything inappropriate or offensive.
Ready to get started? Let‘s look at 25 hilarious WiFi names that are sure to get your neighborhood‘s attention!
25 Funny WiFi Network Names To Give Your Neighbors A Laugh
The great thing about changing your WiFi network name is you can get really creative. Here are 25 funny, pop culture inspired SSID ideas to make connecting more fun:
-
YodaSaysUseTheWiFi – May the force be with all who connect! This Star Wars reference is perfect for fans.
-
A LANister Always Surfs the Net – This Game of Thrones WiFi name will appeal to other GoT super fans.
-
FortniteDancesOnly – Kids and gamers who love Fortnite will get a kick out of this.
-
PrettyFlyForAWiFi – Offspring fans will appreciate connecting to this classic song reference.
-
Wi-Fight Club – The first rule of Wi-Fight Club is tell everyone about your new WiFi name!
-
MomClickHereForWifi – Help out parents who struggle with tech stuff by making your WiFi name super obvious.
-
No Free WiFi For You – The Soup Nazi from Seinfeld would approve of this WiFi name.
-
Loading… – Make people think your WiFi network is stuck endlessly buffering with this clever name.
-
AbrahamLinksys – A perfect SSID for history buffs who want some humor.
-
The LAN Before Time – Fans of the classic dinosaur movie will love this WiFi name.
-
TBBT Nerd HQ – Big Bang Theory geeks will feel right at home connecting to this.
-
Ping‘s Pong Palace – Table tennis enthusiasts will dig this WiFi name reference.
-
House Bolton WiFi – Another Game of Thrones inspired name, but maybe too scary!
-
Rocky802.11 – Get people pumped up to connect with this Rocky movie reference.
-
Sherlock Ohms – Science nerds will investigate this resistance-focused WiFi name.
-
Wakanda Forever! – Show your Black Panther and Marvel pride with this WiFi name.
-
Wi Believe I Can Fi! – Cheesy but sure to make guests smile as they connect.
-
John Wilkes Bluetooth – History buffs will appreciate this notorious reference.
-
Neighborhood Watch – Add an extra layer of security by making hackers think you‘re onto them!
-
Bill Nye the WiFi Guy – Science Rules! Get all the nerds to connect with this name.
-
HideYourKidsHideYourWiFi – Remind people of the famous interview viral video.
-
You‘ve Got Mail (AOL Dial-up Noises) – Bring back 90s memories with this AOL WiFi name.
-
Laggin‘ Wagon – Prepare people for your crummy internet ahead of time with this name.
-
I Love Lamp – Remember the silly Brick character from Anchorman with this WiFi name.
-
Area 51 Testing Facility – Make neighbors wonder what alien secrets are on your network!
Pretty hilarious right? I bet you could even come up with even funnier names tailored to your interests and passions. Just follow my tips below on setting it up properly.
Okay, Let‘s Change Your WiFi Name – Step-By-Step Instructions
I hope you‘re excited to give your WiFi a new hilarious name! Let me quickly walk you through how to change your wireless network name (SSID) in just a few minutes.
Here‘s an overview of what we‘ll do:
-
Find your router‘s IP address so we can access it‘s settings.
-
Log into your router‘s admin interface using the IP address.
-
Navigate to the Wireless or WiFi settings.
-
Change the "Network Name" or "SSID" field to your new name.
-
Save your new WiFi name and reconnect devices.
Ready? Let‘s get that new WiFi name up and running!
Step 1) Find Your Router‘s IP Address
The first step is accessing your router‘s admin settings by IP address. Here‘s how to quickly find the IP address on any device:
On Windows:
- Open the Command Prompt app and type
ipconfig - Look for the "Default Gateway" entry – that‘s your router IP!
On Mac:
- Go to System Preferences > Network
- Click your WiFi connection then click Advanced
- The Router IP will be listed there!
On Mobile:
- Check your router brand‘s app or user manual for steps to find the IP.
Once you have the IP Address, you can enter it in any web browser to access your router‘s controls.
Step 2) Log Into Your Router Admin Interface
Type your router‘s IP address into the address bar of a web browser. For example:
192.168.1.1
When prompted, enter your router admin username and password. The defaults are usually:
- Username:
admin - Password:
password
Check your router documentation if you customized these credentials previously.
Step 3) Navigate to Your Wireless Settings
Once logged into your router dashboard or control panel, look for:
- A settings section labeled Wireless, WiFi or Network
- Find where the Network Name or SSID is displayed
This is where we‘ll input your new hilarious WiFi network name!
Step 4) Change the SSID to Your New Name
In the Network Name or SSID field, delete the current name and type in your awesome new WiFi name.
For example, if you chose "YodaSaysUseTheWiFi" then enter:
YodaSaysUseTheWiFi
Try to keep it under 32 characters. Once entered, save your changes!
Step 5) Reconnect Devices to New Network
Almost done! As a final step, you‘ll need to reconnect all your devices to the newly renamed wireless network:
On each phone, computer, tablet, etc – browse available WiFi networks and select your new SSID name, then enter the password when prompted.
And that‘s it! Pretty easy right? Now anyone in your vicinity is sure to get a good laugh when your clever WiFi network appears.
A Few Quick Tips on Securing Your Hilarious Network
I want to wrap up with some top tips on setting up your new WiFi name while keeping security in mind:
-
Keep personal info like addresses or passwords out of your SSID.
-
Occasionally change your WiFi name and password to protect against attacks.
-
Use a strong WPA2 wireless password along with your new name.
-
Make sure your name doesn‘t offend neighbors or household members.
-
If using WiFi extenders, update the SSID on all access points.
-
Give each frequency band (2.4GHz, 5GHz) the same WiFi name for better coverage.
Okay my friend! I hope this guide gave you some hilarious WiFi network name inspiration and helpful instructions to update your SSID. Now get out there and give your neighbors a good laugh with your new WiFi name! Just be sure not to pick anything too crazy.
Let me know if you have any other questions. Setting up your home wireless network should be fun – so embrace your interests and passion with the perfect geeky, pop culture or funny WiFi name.
Happy connecting!