This feature request is extremely simple: let players pick any name for their character, even if the name's already been taken by someone else.

Other games that have "megaservers" already do this (most notably Phantasy Star Online 2), and they've had no problems with it. It makes sense for a game that is bound to have this much popularity.

I know this is controversial, but let me explain why I feel it's necessary. Feel free to read the bold-faced headers if this is tl;dr.

• Names will be scarce due to the "megaserver".
  With potentially millions of players, it's gonna be pretty insane trying to "reserve" names and such. Games like WoW that are divided into non-crossed realms don't have as much trouble dealing with this problem, since names are only exclusive to the server. It makes it likely that, even if there's a name you RP with constantly, it'll be already taken.
  
• We already have a unique identifier: our User ID.
  Since we have our User ID, which is 100% unique to us, we don't need our character names to be unique as well, as people can (and already have to) use our User ID to contact/add/block us. At the same time, people will still be held accountable for their behavior.
  
• Fewer "unrealistic" names
  With people now able to choose a name without worrying about exclusivity, they no longer have to resort to silly tactics like adding accents, embellishments like xXNameXx, or clan tags just to use a name they want.
  
• No more inactive players making names "extinct"
  Sometimes players will sit on a name forever, either on a Lv. 1 alt they'll never use or on a high-level character they'll never play again. The name gets pulled out of circulation indefinitely, which will limit the names new players can use as the game ages (essentially making it so that, one year down the line, all the names will have those stupid modifiers on them). Again, this problem is exacerbated by the nature of the "megaserver".
  
• More player freedom
  Naturally, this also means more freedom for players to choose the names they want, whether it be their real name, or a character that they've RP'd with for generations that just so happens to have a common name.
  
• Most major platforms allow this functionality due to the massive size of their userbase.
  Facebook, Twitter, Steam, Desura, Skype, and a multitude of other popular platforms offer this functionality, simply because of how pervasive they are and how many people are expected to be using their service. Despite giving you the freedom to change your public name, you still have a "unique identifier" (i.e. your Twitter is associated with your e-mail; your Facebook's URL can never change once chosen; your Steam ID can never change, EVER). The services that refuse to allow this functionality have slowly died out over time (i.e. AIM).
  

I realize this does come with a fair number of drawbacks (like the potential for hundreds of "Han Solo"s, "Tony Stark"s, and "Rainbow Dash"es running around), but that's entirely the player's problem; they will have to live with the stigma associated with using a popular character's name.

Any thoughts?

I have my name and want to be the only one with it, while its informative and may work for a different game, i dont want it around here. just my 2cents

I dunno.
I'm not crazy about this idea.

I thought that the fact that we had user IDs by account meant that character names were not going to be unique. Is there a definitive statement from the devs on this topic?

I hope Character name is no unique.

They are unique.
Your handle is your account. That's what shows up in guild and such so people don't have to me prize 10 of your alts. The names are unique as of this point in time, but a surname is allowed.

Any particular reason why? I want to see what downsides this kind of feature might have, in hopes that there'll be ways to address and perfect it.

Sounds good.

People always make unrealistic names. I mean, always. This won't change anything..

The names becoming available to all I don't like either. I sit on my names, think hard over them, and got them first so I can use them in the future.

I also don't really want to see my names everywhere, or see other names everywhere.

I can't speak for Ithril, but if I mail something to someone not on my firends list and I do not know his/her Account ID, I don't want my mail being sent to a random player with the same name.

"Dear John Smith, thanks for that group. You really saved my butt back there. I found some (awesome item) and thought you should have it, it fits your build well. Just my way of saying thanks! Add me to your firends list and I'll add you."

Then have some "John Smith" whom I've never met... is a complete [censored].. and from a different alliance gets my mail. I would be very upset.

I'm seeing thousand people claiming to be Tiber Septim or Talos... That would be a fun PvP.

In all respect OP, I disagree having to have the same name possible. If you remember, a lot of people disagreed for security purposes to have their account name shown to any type of tab windows.

They are still unique. It's ridiculous really, they implement the handle system but don't make use of it. Hopefully this will change before launch.

Character names can be like 35 characters with certain symbols. I dont think its going to be too difficult customizing something.