Is 'own' appropriate for an email address?

Solution 1:

"Own" could be considered incorrect on the basis that you do not have ultimate control of a hosted email account. In the case of Gmail, Google could cancel the service or revoke the name without consulting you.

Having said that, the use of "own" is probably just a bit strong for the context it is being used.

Rather than:

I own [email protected] from a project waaaay back.

... you could still show possession but more in line with the tone of the conversation:

• [email protected] is mine from a project waaaay back.

... or more relaxed still:

• I still have [email protected] from a project waaaay back.

Solution 2:

One of the meaning of own (as verb) is "have something as one's own," and I think it applies in this case: Email addresses are unique in the same domain; if you have [email protected] as email, nobody else can have the same email, even if they could have [email protected].

Solution 3:

Common parlance for web domains and email addresses is that you are sitting on it. This phrase has the added implication that you are not currently using it.