You can change your Facebook name through your settings, and Facebook allows most changes within 60 days

To change your name on Facebook, go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or click the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Personal Information and tap or click Name. Enter your new name in the fields provided and click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears, then ask you to confirm. Once you submit, the change takes effect when ready.

Facebook has a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you changed your name recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. This rule applies whether you changed it yourself or Facebook reverted it. The platform does this to prevent account takeovers and impersonation.

Key Takeaways

  • Name changes happen when ready on Facebook, but you can only change your name once every 60 days.
  • Your name must follow Facebook's real name policy — it cannot contain numbers, symbols, or unusual characters, and Facebook may reject names that look like fake accounts.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, you can appeal the decision by uploading a government ID that matches the name you want to use.
  • Changing your name on Facebook does not change your username (the part after facebook.com/), which remains the same unless you manually update it separately.
  • Your old name remains visible in your activity log and in messages you sent before the change, but your profile and new posts show your current name.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires names to match what you would use in everyday life. The platform rejects names with numbers (like "John123"), special characters (like "John@Smith"), or excessive punctuation. Names that look like they are trying to impersonate someone else, advertise a business, or use hashtags and symbols are also rejected.

If your legal name contains characters outside the standard English alphabet — accents, diacritics, or characters from other writing systems — Facebook usually accepts these. However, if your name is rejected and you believe it is your real name, you can upload a government ID to prove it. Facebook will review the ID and either restore your name or explain why it cannot be used.

The 60-day waiting period and what triggers it

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This timer resets each time you make a change, whether you did it yourself or Facebook reverted your name because it violated the platform's policies. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will tell you the exact date you can change it again.

If Facebook removes your name change because it violated community standards, the 60-day clock still starts. You cannot when ready change it to something else. You have to wait the full 60 days, then submit a new name that follows the rules.

How to appeal a rejected name change

If Facebook rejects your name, you will see a message explaining why. Common reasons include the name containing numbers or symbols, looking like it is impersonating someone, or appearing to be a business name rather than a personal name. To appeal, tap or click the option to provide more information.

Facebook will ask you to upload a government ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card — that shows the name you want to use. Upload a clear photo of the ID and submit it. Facebook reviews these appeals within a few days. If your ID matches the name you submitted, Facebook will restore it. If the ID does not match, Facebook will explain the issue and you can try again with a different name or different ID.

The difference between your name and your username

Your name is what appears on your profile and in comments and posts. Your username is the custom URL — the part after facebook.com/ that you can share as a link. Changing your name does not change your username. If you want a different username, you have to change it separately in your settings.

To change your username, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Username. You can change your username once every 60 days as well. Unlike your name, your username can contain periods and numbers, and it does not have to match your legal name.

What happens to your old name in messages and activity

When you change your name, it updates everywhere on your profile and in new activity. However, messages you sent before the change still show your old name next to those messages. Your friends will see the old name in the conversation history, but your profile will display your new name. This is how Facebook keeps the historical record of conversations intact.

Your activity log — the record of everything you have posted, liked, and commented on — also shows your old name next to older activity. If you search for your name in Facebook's search bar, you will find yourself under your new name, not your old one.

Changing your name if your account was hacked or taken over

If someone else changed your name without your permission, you can change it back when ready without waiting for the 60-day period. First, find your account by changing your password and reviewing your login activity. Then change your name back through the same settings path. Facebook recognizes that account takeovers are an exception to the 60-day rule.

If you cannot access your account because someone changed your password, use the "Forgot Password" option on the login page. Facebook will walk you through recovering access. Once you are back in, change your name and password again, and review which devices and apps have access to your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for a name change to show up on Facebook?

Name changes take effect when ready. Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, and in posts right away. However, it may take a few minutes for the change to appear everywhere across the platform, especially in search results or on other people's devices.

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

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. The only exception is if your account was hacked or compromised.

What if I want to use a nickname or stage name instead of my legal name?

Facebook's policy requires names to match what you use in everyday life, but this does not always mean your legal name. If you go by a nickname professionally or socially, you can use it. However, if Facebook rejects it as not being a real name, you can appeal with an ID that shows that name, or you can use your legal name instead.

Will changing my name affect my Facebook friends or messages?

Your friends will see your new name on your profile and in new messages and comments. Old messages will still show your previous name next to them. Your friends will not be notified of the name change — they will straightforward see it the next time they visit your profile or check a conversation.

Can I change my name back to my old name right away?

No, the 60-day waiting period applies to all name changes, including changing back to a previous name. If you change your name and then want to revert it, you still have to wait 60 days from the date of the most recent change.