Change your name in Facebook settings in under two minutes

To change your name on Facebook, go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the app, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Tap or click Personal Information, then Name. Type your new name in the field and tap Review Change. Facebook will show you how it will appear, then ask you to confirm. Hit Save Changes and you are done.

The change takes effect when ready on your profile and in posts, comments, and messages. People who already know you will see the new name right away. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name, so if you want people to know, you may want to mention it in a post or message.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on both the app and desktop version.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • Your new name appears everywhere on your profile and in all your activity within minutes.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a middle name, or any combination — Facebook does not require legal documentation.
  • If you have changed your name recently and want to change it again, you can do so when ready without any restriction.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook lets you use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and periods in your name. You can include accents and characters from other languages. The platform does not require you to use your legal name — a nickname, stage name, or any variation you choose will work.

Avoid using all capital letters, excessive punctuation, or symbols that are not standard keyboard characters. Facebook's system may flag unusual patterns as spam or fake accounts, which can slow down the change or require you to verify your identity. Keep your name readable and straightforward if you want the change to go through without questions.

How often you can change your name

Facebook allows you to change your name as often as you want. There is no waiting period, no limit on the number of changes per month, and no penalty for changing it frequently. If you changed your name yesterday and want to change it again today, you can do so when ready.

The only restriction is if Facebook's system detects a pattern it considers abusive — for example, changing your name dozens of times in a single day to impersonate different people or evade a block. In that case, Facebook may temporarily lock your name field or ask you to verify your account. Normal use, even if frequent, will not trigger this.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on both platforms, but the menu locations differ slightly. On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, tap the three-line menu icon at the bottom right, then Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name. On desktop, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings & Privacy > Settings, then follow the same path to Personal Information > Name.

Both versions save your change to the same account, so a name change on mobile will show on desktop when ready, and vice versa. You do not need to change your name separately on each device.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and from new posts and comments. However, old posts, comments, and messages you sent before the change will still show your previous name in the timestamp or context. Facebook does not retroactively update the name on past activity — only on your current profile and going forward.

People who were tagged in photos with you or mentioned in old posts will still see the old name in those specific items, but your profile itself will display only your new name. If someone searches for your old name, they may still find your profile if they have other ways to identify you, but the search will not highlight your old name as your current identity.

If you cannot find the name change option

If the Name field is missing from your Personal Information section, your account may have restrictions. This sometimes happens if Facebook detected unusual activity, if you recently changed your name and the system is still processing, or if your account is new.

Wait 24 to 48 hours and try again. If the option still does not appear, check whether you are logged into the correct account — some people have multiple Facebook profiles and change the wrong one. If you are certain you are in the right account and the field remains locked, you can report the issue through Settings > Help & Support > Report a Problem and describe what you are seeing. Facebook's support team can investigate whether something is blocking the change.

Using a name that is different from your legal name

Facebook does not require you to prove your name is legal or real. You can use a stage name, pen name, nickname, or any other variation without providing documents. The platform's policy is that your name should be the name you go by in everyday life, but Facebook does not verify this and does not ask for proof.

If you use a name that Facebook's automated system flags as suspicious — for example, a string of numbers or symbols, or a name that mimics a celebrity or brand — you may be asked to confirm your identity by uploading a photo or ID. This is rare for normal names, even if they are not your legal name. If you are asked to verify, follow the prompts; Facebook will not publish your ID or use it for anything other than confirming the name is genuinely yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends will see the new name on your profile and in your posts and comments going forward, but they will not receive an alert. If you want people to know about the change, post about it or message them directly.

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

Yes. You can change your name to anything at any time, including a name you used previously. straightforward go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name and enter the old name. The change takes effect when ready.

What if someone else is using the name I want?

Facebook allows multiple people to have the same name. You can use any name you want, even if thousands of other people on Facebook have that exact name. There is no conflict or restriction based on name duplication.

Does changing my name affect my username or profile URL?

No. Your username (the handle that appears in your profile URL) is separate from your display name. Changing your display name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, that is a different setting in Personal Information called Username.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?

You can use accents, hyphens, periods, and characters from other languages. Emojis and most special symbols will not work — Facebook's name field accepts only standard text characters. If you try to use an emoji, Facebook will either remove it or reject the change and ask you to use standard letters and numbers instead.