Request to Release Retired Repository Name feniltejani/feniltejani

[feniltejani]

🏷️ Discussion Type

Question

Body

Dear GitHub Support Team,

Please release the retired repository name feniltejani/feniltejani. I previously owned and deleted this specific repository, making it a self-owned retired namespace.

Currently, when I try to recreate it, I receive the error: "The repository feniltejani has been retired and cannot be reused." I am specifically trying to set up my GitHub profile README (the special repository). Because this feature requires this exact repository name, I have no alternative way to enable my profile README until this specific repository name is released.

I understand GitHub’s policies regarding retired repository names, but since I am the original owner of this repository namespace and am using the exact same email address, I kindly request that you release it for my use.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Best regards,

Fenil Tejani
GitHub Username: @feniltejani
Email: feniltejani10@outlook.com

Attachments:

[feniltejani]

I am also unable to restore the repository from Settings → Repositories → Deleted repositories, as GitHub shows “Repository namespace has been retired” and does not allow me to restore it from my side.

@github @community Please Help!

[feniltejani]

Please note: this is not a dormant or inactive username request, so the username policy does not apply here.

I am requesting release of a retired repository namespace (feniltejani/feniltejani) that I previously owned and deleted myself. Now, when I try to recreate it, GitHub shows: “The repository feniltejani has been retired and cannot be reused.” I am also unable to restore the deleted repository, so I currently have no way to recover or recreate it. I need this exact repository name for my GitHub Profile README, since that feature only works with a repository named exactly the same as my username. Please review this as a retired repository namespace issue, not a username release request.

[asaddevx]

Hey @feniltejani,

You need that exact repository name for your profile README feature, and it's locked forever with the message "has been retired and cannot be reused."

The Hard Truth

This happens when a repository is deleted under certain conditions. GitHub permanently retires the owner name and repository name combination (feniltejani/feniltejani) to prevent security issues like impersonation or malicious redirects.

Once retired, no one (not even the original owner) can recreate that repository name. Period. This is by design, not a bug.

Why GitHub Does This

• Security – Prevents someone else from recreating a deleted repo to impersonate you or serve malicious content
• Namespace protection – Especially strict for profile repositories (those matching your username)
• GitHub Actions / Marketplace protection – If the repo had any Marketplace actions or significant activity before deletion, the name is permanently retired

What You Can Actually Do

Option 1 – Contact GitHub Support (your only real shot)

Open a ticket here: https://support.github.com/contact

Select "Account and profile" category. In your message, clearly state:

"I am requesting release of a retired repository namespace (feniltejani/feniltejani) that I previously owned and deleted myself. This is not a username release request. I am the original owner using the same email address. I need this exact repository name for my GitHub Profile README feature. Please manually release this retired namespace."

Also mention that you have already checked Settings → Repositories → Deleted repositories and confirmed the repo is not restorable from there.

⚠️ Be aware: Support rarely un-retires repository names. But for profile README repos (matching username), some users have reported success after contacting support. One user in a similar situation got it resolved after reaching out.

Option 2 – Use a workaround (practical but not ideal)

Since GitHub requires the repository name to match your username for the auto-profile README feature, you can:

• Create a repository like feniltejani-profile or feniltejani-main
• Add your README content there
• Pin this repository to the top of your profile

Visitors will still see your README right at the top of your profile page, but it won't auto-display the way the special feniltejani/feniltejani repo would.

Option 3 – Wait (not recommended)

Some users report that GitHub eventually releases retired names after a long waiting period. But there is no official timeline, and this is not guaranteed.

Bottom Line

Action	Likelihood of Success
Contact GitHub Support	Low but possible (your only real chance)
Use a pinned repo workaround	100% (practical solution)
Wait for auto-release	Low (no guarantee)

My advice: Open a support ticket with the exact wording above. While you wait, set up a pinned repository as your profile README so you have something working. If support can't help, at least you have a backup plan.

I hope this helps, and I genuinely hope GitHub Support can make an exception for your case.

[feniltejani]

Thank you for your elaborate response.

The point I'm trying to make is that retired repositories are generally permanently locked. However, the problem I'm facing is that it is a self-owned retired repository namespace (feniltejani/feniltejani) needed for my GitHub Profile README, and I'm not able to recover the deleted repository.

I had already reached out to the GitHub support team, but somehow they misunderstood it as a request to release dormant usernames and responded accordingly.

I've already responded to them clarifying the matter and mentioned that it is actually a problem related to retired repository namespaces.

Thanks.