How to change your name on Facebook

You can change the name that appears on your Facebook profile by going to your settings, finding the "Personal Information" section, and editing the name field directly. Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready across your profile, posts, and comments. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on desktop, mobile web, and the Facebook app.

Your new name will show up on your profile, in your posts, and in comments you make going forward. People who already know you won't be notified of the change, but they'll see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity. If you change your mind, you can change it again after 60 days have passed.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, and the change appears when ready across your entire profile and activity.
  • You access the name change through Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on both desktop and mobile.
  • Your new name applies to your profile, posts, comments, and messages, but old posts and comments won't be retroactively updated with the new name.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it's usually because the name violates their naming standards—names must contain only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes.
  • You cannot change your name more than once every 60 days, even if you use a different name each time.

Step-by-step: changing your name on desktop

Open Facebook and click the downward-facing arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select "Settings and Privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side menu, click "Personal Information." Find the "Name" field and click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new name into the field. Facebook will show you how the name will appear on your profile. Click "Review Change" to see a preview, then click "Save Changes" to confirm. The name change takes effect right away. If you don't see a pencil icon next to your name, you may have changed it recently and need to wait until the 60-day window has passed.

Step-by-step: changing your name on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy," then tap "Settings." Tap "Personal Information," then tap "Name." The name field will open for editing.

Type your new name and tap "Review Change" to see how it will look. Tap "Save Changes" to confirm. The change appears on your profile when ready. If the pencil icon is grayed out or missing, you're still within the 60-day waiting period since your last name change.

What Facebook's naming rules are

Facebook requires names to use only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. Spaces are allowed between words. The platform rejects names that look like usernames (all lowercase, no spaces), names that are entirely numbers, or names that contain symbols like underscores, asterisks, or @ signs.

Names that appear to be fake—like "XxShadowNinjaxx" or "King of the Universe"—may also be rejected. Facebook's system flags names that don't match typical naming patterns, though the exact rules aren't published. If your name is rejected, try removing special characters, adding a space between first and last name, or using a more conventional spelling.

What happens to your old posts and comments

When you change your name, all your future posts and comments will show the new name. However, posts and comments you made before the change will still display your old name. Facebook doesn't retroactively update the name on old content—it only changes the name going forward.

This means if someone looks at your profile history, they may see posts from different time periods attributed to different names. This is normal behavior and not a sign of a problem. The change is purely forward-facing.

The 60-day waiting period explained

Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes to prevent abuse and impersonation. Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days, even if you want to revert to your old name or try a different name entirely. The timer resets each time you make a change.

If you made a mistake or want to change your name back, you'll need to wait the full 60 days. There is no way to bypass this waiting period or request an exception. Plan your name change carefully if you think you might want to adjust it soon after.

What to do if Facebook rejects your name change

If you see an error message when trying to save your new name, Facebook has flagged it as violating their naming standards. The most common reasons are special characters (like underscores or numbers in unusual places), all-lowercase formatting, or a name that appears to be a username rather than a real name.

Try reformatting your name: add a space between first and last name, remove any numbers or symbols, or use standard capitalization. If you're trying to use a name with an apostrophe or hyphen (like O'Brien or Mary-Jane), make sure there are no extra spaces around the punctuation. If the rejection persists and you believe your name is legitimate, you can report the issue to Facebook through the Help Center, though Facebook does not always overturn rejections.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes. You cannot change your name again until 60 days have passed since your last change, regardless of what name you want to use. If you need to change it back, you'll still have to wait the full period.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

No, Facebook does not send notifications to your friends when you change your name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity, but they won't receive an alert about the change.

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my real name?

Facebook's rules require names to look like real names rather than usernames or stage names. However, many people successfully use nicknames, middle names, or professional names as long as they follow the formatting rules (letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, apostrophes, and spaces). If Facebook rejects it, the name may be flagged as not matching typical naming patterns.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

You'll need to wait 60 days from your most recent name change before you can change it again. There is no option to revert to a previous name without waiting. Once the 60 days have passed, you can change your name to whatever you want, including your old name.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your name and your username are separate. Changing your display name does not change your username (the part that appears in your profile URL). If you want to change your username, that's a different process done through the same Settings menu under "Username."