What is the Database Username Prefix?
By default, cPanel & WHM automatically prepends the cPanel username to every new database and database user name (e.g., username_dbname). This prevents naming conflicts between accounts on a shared server. However, some applications or migration scenarios require database names without this prefix. You can disable this requirement from WHM's Tweak Settings.
Steps to Remove the Username Prefix
- Log in to WHM as the root user or a reseller with the appropriate privileges.
- Navigate to Home » Server Configuration » Tweak Settings.
- In the search box at the top of the page, type
prefixto quickly locate the relevant option. - Under the SQL tab, find the setting Require a username prefix on names of new databases and database users.
- Set the toggle to Off to remove the prefix requirement.
- Click the Save button at the bottom of the page.
After saving, cPanel users on your server will be able to create databases and database users without the automatic username prefix.
Important Notes
- Disabling this setting is generally safe on servers where you manage a small number of accounts or dedicated environments. On shared hosting servers with many accounts, keeping the prefix On is recommended to avoid database name collisions.
- Existing databases and users are not affected — this only applies to newly created databases and users.
- If you re-enable the prefix later, only new databases will get the prefix again.
- This setting applies to databases created through cPanel's MySQL interface, not to databases created directly via the MySQL command line.
Troubleshooting
- Can't find the option: Use the Tweak Settings search bar and type
prefix. In recent WHM versions, the setting is located under the SQL tab. - Users still see prefixed names: Clear your browser cache or try in an incognito window. The setting change takes effect immediately for new database creations.
For official documentation, see the cPanel Tweak Settings guide.
