You can change your Facebook name once every 60 days through your settings

Facebook lets you change the name on your profile, but the process is limited: you can do it once every 60 days, and the name you enter must match the one on your government ID or the name you go by in everyday life. Facebook checks this because the platform requires real names to reduce spam and impersonation.

The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up across all your pages and in search results. Your old name does not appear in your activity log or anywhere else once you make the switch — only your new name shows going forward.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name once every 60 days by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information.
  • Facebook requires the name you enter to be the one on your government ID or a name you actually use in daily life.
  • The change shows up right away on your profile but may take a few minutes to appear everywhere else on the platform.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it is usually because the name does not match your ID or contains symbols and numbers Facebook does not allow.

Step-by-step: changing your name on Facebook

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the down arrow on desktop). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

On the left side, click Personal Information. Find the line that says Name and click the pencil icon next to it. Delete your current name and type in the new one. Click Review Change, then Save Changes. That is it — the name updates right away.

If you have changed your name within the last 60 days, Facebook will not let you change it again until that window closes. The system shows you the exact date you can change it next.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook accepts names that match your government ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card — or names you actually use in daily life. This means nicknames, maiden names, and names from different cultures all work as long as you genuinely go by them.

Facebook rejects names with numbers, symbols, repeated characters, or unusual punctuation. A name like "Mary-Jane" works fine, but "Mary@@Jane" or "Mary123" does not. Titles like "Dr." or "Jr." are allowed, but all-caps names and names that look like they are trying to game the system get flagged.

If your name contains characters from another language or alphabet, Facebook usually accepts it. The platform supports names in Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, and many other scripts.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

If you try to change your name and Facebook says it violates the Facebook Community Standards, the most common reason is that the name does not match your ID or contains characters Facebook does not allow. You will see a message explaining why the change was rejected.

If you believe the rejection is a mistake — for example, your government ID really does have that name — you can appeal. Click the link in the rejection message to submit an appeal with a photo of your ID. Facebook reviews these manually, though it can take several days.

Do not try to change your name multiple times in quick succession to get around the rejection. Repeated attempts can trigger a temporary lock on your account.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The process is nearly identical on both, but the menu locations differ slightly. On mobile, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right of the screen. On desktop, click the down arrow in the top right corner. Both lead you to Settings and Privacy in the same way.

Mobile sometimes takes longer to sync the change across all pages, so if you do not see your new name everywhere right away, wait a few minutes and refresh the app.

The 60-day waiting period explained

Facebook enforces the 60-day rule to prevent account takeovers and impersonation. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot when ready change your name to something else and lock you out. The waiting period gives you time to notice and regain control.

The 60 days starts from the moment you save your last name change, not from when you tried to change it. If your change was rejected, the clock does not start — you can try again right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes. The system will show you the exact date you become able to change it again. There is no way to bypass this limit, even if you contact Facebook support.

What if I legally changed my name and Facebook rejected it?

Submit an appeal with a photo of your new government ID. Click the link in the rejection message and upload a clear image of your ID showing your legal name. Facebook reviews these manually, though it can take several days to process.

Does changing my name delete my old posts or activity?

No. All your posts, photos, and activity stay exactly the same. Only the name attached to them changes. People who knew you by your old name can still find your profile through your username or by searching your email address.

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my legal name?

Yes, as long as you actually use that name in daily life. Facebook accepts nicknames, stage names, and names from different cultures. The name just has to be one you genuinely go by, not a random string of characters.

What if I want to change my Facebook username instead of my name?

Your username and your name are different things. Your username is the custom URL (like facebook.com/yourname), while your name is what appears on your profile. You can change your username once, but the process is separate from changing your display name.