Change your name in Facebook settings in under two minutes

Open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to the menu (three horizontal lines on mobile, the downward arrow on desktop), and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Personal information on the left side. Find the line that says Name and click Edit. Type your new first and last name into the boxes, then click Review change. Facebook will show you how your name will appear to others. Click Save changes at the bottom.

The change takes effect when ready. Your friends will see the new name right away, and it will show on your profile, in comments, and in messages you send going forward. You do not need to confirm anything by email or wait for approval.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name > Edit on any device.
  • Facebook limits how often you can change your name — typically once every 60 days, though this can vary.
  • Your new name appears to everyone when ready, including people who are not your friends.
  • If you change your name back and forth repeatedly, Facebook may temporarily lock the name field to prevent misuse.
  • You can use a nickname, stage name, or any variation of your real name as long as it follows Facebook's name policies.

What name formats Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires that your name contain at least one letter and follow the site's name policy, which means it should represent the name you go by in everyday life. You can use spaces, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes. Numbers, symbols, and all-caps text are usually rejected. If your name includes accents or characters from other languages, Facebook will accept those.

The site will reject names that look like they are trying to impersonate someone famous, contain excessive punctuation, or appear to be a joke or business name rather than a person's actual name. If your change is rejected, Facebook will tell you why and let you try again with a different name.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for approximately 60 days. This limit exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to evade detection or confuse others. If you try to change your name before the 60 days are up, Facebook will show you a message saying when you will be able to change it next.

The exact timing can shift slightly depending on when you made your last change and Facebook's system updates. If you need to change your name urgently — for example, after a legal name change — you can contact Facebook through the Help Center to request an exception, though there is no may provide they will grant one.

Changing your name after a legal name change

If you have legally changed your name through a court order, you can update Facebook to match your legal documents. You do not need to wait for the 60-day window. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name and make the change. If Facebook blocks you because of the 60-day rule, use the Help Center to report the issue and explain that you have a legal name change.

When you contact Facebook's Help Center, describe your situation clearly and mention that you have a court order or legal document. Response times vary, but Facebook typically handles these requests within a few days to a week. Keep a copy of your legal name change document handy in case they ask for proof.

What happens to your old name and profile history

Your old name disappears from your profile when ready. People who knew you by your previous name will see only the new one when they visit your profile. However, the change does not erase your profile history — your posts, photos, and comments remain exactly as they were, and they will show your new name when people view them.

If you search for your old name on Facebook, your profile will not appear in the results. Friends who have you saved in their phone contacts under your old name will still see that old name in their contact list — the change only affects what appears on Facebook itself.

Troubleshooting a rejected name change

If Facebook rejects your name change, the most common reasons are that it contains numbers, symbols, or excessive punctuation; it looks like a business or fake account; or it violates the name policy in some other way. Read the error message carefully — Facebook usually tells you specifically what the problem is.

Try removing any numbers, symbols, or unusual punctuation and submit again. If you are using a nickname or stage name that Facebook considers too informal, try adding a last name or a middle initial to make it look more like a real person's name. If the rejection persists and you believe your name is legitimate, go to the Help Center and select Report a problem to contact Facebook's support team.

Using nicknames and stage names on Facebook

You can set a nickname on Facebook that appears alongside your real name on your profile, separate from your main name field. This is different from changing your name entirely. To add a nickname, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information and look for the Nicknames section. Click Add and type the nickname you want to use.

If you want your main name to be a stage name or professional name rather than your legal name, you can change your name field directly to that name, as long as it follows Facebook's policies. The site does not require you to use your legal name — it requires only that you use a name you actually go by. Many performers, artists, and people in creative fields use stage names as their primary Facebook name without issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name on mobile the same way as on a computer?

Yes. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name > Edit, then type your new name and save. The process is identical to desktop.

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

You will have to wait for the 60-day window to pass before you can change it again. If you changed your name by mistake, contact Facebook's Help Center right away to explain. They may be able to revert it for you without making you wait, though this is not may provide.

Will my friends get a notification when I change my name?

No. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts, but Facebook does not send them a notification about the change. Some third-party apps that track profile changes may notify people, but Facebook itself does not.

Can I use special characters or accents in my name?

Yes, accents and characters from other languages are accepted. Numbers and symbols like @, #, or & are usually rejected. Hyphens, apostrophes, and periods are allowed and commonly used in names.

What if Facebook says my name violates their policies?

This usually means the name looks fake, like a business, or contains disallowed characters. Try a different version of your name that is closer to how you actually introduce yourself. If you believe your name is legitimate, go to the Help Center and report the problem so Facebook's team can review it.