You can change your Facebook name whenever you want, but Facebook limits how often

Facebook lets you change the name on your account through your settings menu. You can do this on a computer or phone. The catch: Facebook only allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it again before 60 days have passed, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it next.

The name you enter should be the name you actually go by in everyday life. Facebook's rules say you can't use numbers, symbols, unusual characters, or multiple spaces in a row. You also can't use all capital letters or pretend to be someone else. If you use a fake name or one that breaks these rules, Facebook may ask you to change it back or lock your account temporarily.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, so plan ahead if you need to change it multiple times.
  • Your name must be the one you use in real life and cannot contain numbers, symbols, or unusual formatting.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, the rejection message will explain which rule your name broke.
  • Changing your name does not affect your username, profile URL, or the way your friends see your messages.

How to change your name on a computer

Open Facebook in a web browser and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. You'll see your current name listed there. Click the word Name to open the edit box.

Type your new name into the field. Facebook shows you a preview of how it will look. When you're happy with it, click the Change Name button. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type it in and click Continue. Your name updates when ready.

How to change your name on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to Personal Information and tap it. Tap Name to open the edit field.

Type your new name and tap Review Change. Facebook shows you a preview. If it looks right, tap Save Changes. You'll be asked to enter your password. Type it and tap Continue. The change takes effect right away.

What happens when you change your name

Your new name appears on your profile, in your posts, and in comments you make. Your friends will see the new name when they visit your profile or see your activity. However, your username (the custom URL that comes after facebook.com/) does not change automatically. If you want to change that too, you can do it separately through the same Personal Information section, but Facebook also limits username changes to once every 60 days.

Old messages and posts you made under your previous name still show your old name in the conversation thread or on the post itself. Facebook does not retroactively update the name on past content. Your friends' message threads with you will show your new name going forward.

Why Facebook rejected your name change

If you see an error message when you try to change your name, it usually means one of three things: your name contains characters Facebook doesn't allow (numbers, symbols, or special characters), you've already changed your name within the last 60 days, or Facebook thinks your name doesn't match your real identity.

If Facebook says your name violates its rules, try removing numbers, symbols, hyphens, or extra spaces. If you have a legitimate name that includes characters Facebook usually blocks (like an apostrophe or hyphen), you can appeal the decision by clicking the link in the rejection message. Facebook's support team will review your case, though this can take several days.

The 60-day waiting period explained

Facebook enforces the 60-day rule to prevent people from constantly switching names to avoid detection or confuse others. The timer starts the moment you successfully change your name. If you change your name on day one, you cannot change it again until day 61. The system counts calendar days, not business days, and weekends count too.

If you need to change your name urgently and you've already used your one change recently, you can contact Facebook's support team through the Help Center. They rarely override the 60-day rule, but they may make an exception if your situation is unusual—for example, if you changed your name by mistake and need to fix it when ready. There's no may provide they'll help, but it's worth asking.

Changing your name versus changing your username

Your name is what appears on your profile and in your activity. Your username is the custom web address (like facebook.com/yourname). They are separate things. When you change your name, your username stays the same unless you manually change it. You can have a username that doesn't match your display name.

If you want to change your username, go to the same Personal Information section and click Username. You can only change it once every 60 days, just like your name. Your old username becomes available for someone else to claim after you change it, so choose carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert it, you'll need to wait until the 60-day window closes before you can change it again. There's no special "undo" button.

Will my friends see a notification that I changed my name?

No, Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends will see the new name when they visit your profile or see your activity, but they won't get a message saying you changed it. Some people may not notice for a while.

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

Facebook's rules say you should use the name you go by in everyday life, which can include a nickname or stage name if that's what people actually call you. However, Facebook's automated system sometimes rejects names it thinks are fake. If this happens, you can appeal and explain that it's your real name or the name you actually use.

What if I share a name with someone famous?

You can use your real name even if it matches a celebrity or public figure. Facebook does not reserve names. However, if your profile gets confused with a famous person's, you can add middle initials, a birth year, or a location to your name to make it clearer who you are.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook Messenger conversations?

Your new name will show in Messenger going forward, but old messages in the conversation thread will still show your previous name. People you message will see your new name when you send them a new message.