The fastest way to change your Facebook name

Go to your Facebook profile, click the down arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. Next to your name, click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided, then click Review change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears across the site. Click Save changes when you're ready.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Your new name shows up when ready on your profile, posts, and comments. People who know you by your old name can still find you through your username or by searching your email address.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Edit name, and the change takes effect right away.
  • Facebook limits how often you can change your name — you must wait 60 days between changes, with rare exceptions.
  • Your username stays the same even when your name changes, so people can still find you the old way.
  • If you change your name too many times or use characters Facebook doesn't allow, your account may be temporarily locked until you verify your identity.
  • You can use a nickname, stage name, or any variation of your real name, but Facebook will reject names that look like spam or fake accounts.

What names Facebook will and won't accept

Facebook requires that your name be something you go by in everyday life. You can use a first and last name, a nickname, a stage name, or initials — but the name has to look like a real person's name, not a business, a phrase, or a string of numbers and symbols.

Names that get rejected usually contain numbers (like "John Smith 123"), special characters strung together (like "***JSmith***"), or words that look like spam. Accents, hyphens, and apostrophes are fine — "José", "Mary-Jane", and "O'Brien" all work. If your name is rejected, Facebook will tell you why and let you try again with a different version.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to evade detection or confuse others. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message saying when you can change it next.

There is no way around this waiting period. Even if you contact Facebook support, they will not override it. If you made a typo or realized you want a different name, you have to wait the full 60 days before you can make another change.

When Facebook locks your account during a name change

If you change your name too many times in a short period, or if Facebook's systems flag your account as suspicious, you may see a message saying your account is temporarily locked. This usually happens when someone has changed their name multiple times in quick succession or when the name change pattern looks unusual.

When this happens, Facebook will ask you to verify your identity — usually by uploading a photo of your ID or confirming your email address. Once you verify, your account unlocks and your name change goes through. The verification process typically takes a few hours to a day. If you do not verify, your account stays locked and you cannot use it.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop. On the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then tap Personal information. Tap Name and follow the same process as on desktop.

Some people find the mobile version slightly slower because the app has to load each screen, but the end result is the same. If you run into any trouble on mobile, switching to a web browser on your phone or using a computer often clears it up.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and all your posts. People who search for your old name will not find you by that name anymore — they will only find you if they search your current name or your username. Your username (the custom URL you may have set up) does not change when your name changes.

Posts you made under your old name still exist, but they now show your new name as the author. Comments you left on other people's posts also show your new name. There is no public record of what your name used to be, though Facebook keeps that information internally for security reasons.

Changing your name back to what it was before

You can change your name back to a previous name, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name from "Sarah" to "Sara" and want to go back to "Sarah", you have to wait 60 days from the date you changed it to "Sara" before you can change it back.

This means if you make a mistake, you cannot fix it when ready. Plan your name change carefully, and double-check the spelling and capitalization before you click save. If you do make a mistake, you will have to wait two months before you can correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fake name or a completely made-up name on Facebook?

No. Facebook requires that your name be something you go by in real life. If your account is reported or if Facebook's systems flag it, you may be asked to change your name to something that looks like a real person's name. If you do not comply, your account can be disabled.

What if I changed my name and now I cannot log in?

Try logging in with your email address or phone number instead of your name — your login credentials do not change when your name does. If you still cannot log in, go to facebook.com/login/identify and follow the steps to recover your account. You may be asked to verify your identity with a photo ID.

Can I have two different names on Facebook, like a first name and a stage name?

You can use a stage name or nickname as your primary name on Facebook, but you cannot have two names displayed at the same time. You can change your name to your stage name, or you can use "First Name (Stage Name) Last Name" as a single name entry, though Facebook may reject this format if it looks like spam.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your username and profile URL stay the same no matter how many times you change your display name. If your username is facebook.com/sarah.smith, it will remain that way even if you change your display name to "Sara Smith" or something else entirely.

What if Facebook says my name violates their standards?

Facebook will tell you which part of your name caused the problem. Usually it is because the name contains numbers, symbols, or words that look like spam. Try removing numbers or special characters, or use a different spelling or variation of your name. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, you can appeal the decision through the settings screen.