You can change your Facebook name directly in your settings, and Facebook allows most changes every 60 days

Facebook lets you change the name on your account through the Settings menu. The process takes about two minutes. You go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name — and you can edit it there. Facebook will ask you to confirm the change, and it takes effect right away.

The main limit is timing: you can change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it more often than that, Facebook will tell you when you can make the next change. There is no limit on what name you use — it does not have to match your legal name, though Facebook's rules do say it should be the name you go by in everyday life.

If you have changed your name recently and want to change it again before 60 days have passed, you will have to wait. Facebook enforces this limit to prevent spam and account abuse.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings & Privacy, select Settings, go to Personal Information, and click Name to edit your Facebook name.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready after you confirm it.
  • Your Facebook name does not have to be your legal name, but Facebook's rules ask that it be a name you actually use.
  • If you see an error message saying your name violates Facebook's standards, the name may contain symbols, numbers, or repeated characters that the platform does not allow.

Step-by-step process for changing your name

Start by opening Facebook on a computer or in the mobile app. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.

Once you are in Settings, look for the Personal Information section on the left side (on a computer) or scroll down to find it (on mobile). Click or tap Personal Information. You will see a row labeled Name — click or tap the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new name in the field that appears. Facebook will show you how your name will look to other people. When you are happy with it, click the Review Change button (on a computer) or the checkmark (on mobile). Facebook will ask you to confirm by entering your password. Type it in and click Confirm.

What names Facebook will and will not allow

Facebook has rules about what characters and formats it accepts. Your name cannot include numbers, symbols (except hyphens and apostrophes in certain positions), or repeated characters like "Jjjjjjj" or "Smith Smith Smith." It also cannot be all capital letters or all lowercase letters — Facebook expects at least one capital letter.

Names that look like spam, impersonate public figures, or include words Facebook flags as offensive will be rejected. If you see an error message, try removing numbers, symbols, or extra spaces. If the message says your name violates Facebook's standards, the platform thinks the name breaks one of these rules, and you will need to choose a different one.

Facebook also does not allow names that are just a single letter repeated, names that are obviously fake business names (like "Facebook Marketing Services"), or names designed to look like a URL or email address.

What happens if you change your name too often

If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will show you a message telling you when you can change it again. The 60-day timer starts from the date you confirmed your most recent name change, not from when you started editing it.

This limit applies to everyone — there is no way around it, and contacting Facebook support will not speed it up. If you made a typo or changed your mind when ready after confirming, you still have to wait the full 60 days.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu locations are slightly different. On a computer, you use the Settings & Privacy dropdown in the top right corner. On mobile, you use the three-line menu icon at the bottom right of the screen.

Both versions take you to the same Settings page and the same Personal Information section. The change takes effect when ready on all devices — if you change your name on your phone, it updates on your computer and in the app at the same time.

Why Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days

The 60-day rule exists to prevent spam, scams, and account takeovers. Scammers sometimes change account names rapidly to impersonate other people or to avoid being reported. By limiting changes, Facebook makes it harder for someone who has stolen your account to quickly change the name and lock you out.

The rule also reduces the number of fake accounts and accounts used for harassment. Someone harassing other users cannot straightforward change their name every few days to avoid being blocked or reported.

What to do if you cannot change your name

If you see an error message when you try to change your name, the most common reason is that the name you chose violates Facebook's standards — it contains numbers, symbols, repeated characters, or words the platform flags as offensive. Try removing numbers and symbols and using only letters, hyphens, and apostrophes.

If you are certain your name follows the rules and you still cannot change it, your account may have been flagged for suspicious activity. In that case, you may need to verify your identity by uploading a photo of your ID. Facebook will walk you through this process if it is required.

If the problem persists, you can report the issue to Facebook through the Help Center. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Help & Support, then Report a Problem. Describe what happens when you try to change your name, and Facebook will investigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name to something completely different from my real name?

Yes. Facebook does not require your account name to match your legal name. It only asks that the name be one you actually use in everyday life. Many people use nicknames, stage names, or shortened versions of their legal names on Facebook.

What if I changed my name and now I want to change it back?

You have to wait 60 days from the date you made the last change. The timer does not reset if you change back to a previous name — it is still a name change, and the 60-day rule applies.

Does changing my name on Facebook affect my username or URL?

No. Your username (the part of your Facebook URL) is separate from your display name. Changing your display name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, you do that in a different section of Settings under Username.

Can I use special characters like accents or umlauts in my Facebook name?

Yes, Facebook allows accented letters and characters from other languages. You can use é, ñ, ü, and similar characters. You cannot use symbols like @, #, $, or %, and you cannot use numbers.

What happens if Facebook rejects my name change?

Facebook will show you an error message explaining why. Usually it is because the name contains numbers, symbols, or repeated characters. Read the message, remove the problematic characters, and try again. You can attempt as many times as you want on the same day — the 60-day limit only applies after a successful change.