Change Your Name in Facebook Settings

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Personal Information, then find the Name field. Click Edit next to your current name, type your new name in the fields provided, and click Save Changes.

Facebook splits your name into First Name and Last Name fields. You can also add a Middle Name if you want. Type exactly what you want to appear on your profile — Facebook will display it as you enter it, so check spelling and capitalization before saving.

The change takes effect when ready on your profile and in your friends' friend lists. Your old name does not appear in a history that others can see, though Facebook keeps a record of the change for its own records.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name, then click Edit and Save Changes.
  • Facebook lets you change your name as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • Your new name appears when ready on your profile and in search results, and old messages you sent do not show your previous name.
  • You cannot use special characters, numbers, or symbols in your name — Facebook will reject the change if you try.
  • If Facebook blocks your name change and says your name violates community standards, you can appeal the decision through the same settings menu.

What Names Facebook Will and Will Not Accept

Facebook has rules about what counts as a valid name. You cannot use numbers, punctuation marks (except hyphens and apostrophes in the right places), or symbols. You also cannot use all capital letters, excessive spacing, or repeated characters. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, Facebook will show an error message and ask you to fix it before you can proceed.

Names that Facebook flags as fake — like "XxShadowNinjaxx" or "Princess Unicorn Sparkle" — may be rejected even if they follow the technical rules. Facebook's system looks for patterns that suggest the name is not how you actually go by in everyday life. If your name is genuinely unusual or you use a stage name, you can appeal a rejection by clicking the Let us know link in the error message and explaining your situation.

How Often You Can Change Your Name

Facebook does not limit how many times you can change your name. You can change it once a week, once a day, or multiple times in an hour if you want. There is no cooldown period or waiting list between changes.

However, if you change your name very frequently in a short time, Facebook may temporarily lock you out of making more changes and ask you to wait a few days. This is an automated safety measure to prevent account hijacking. If this happens, you will see a message telling you when you can change your name again.

Changing Your Name on Mobile vs. Desktop

The steps are nearly identical on the Facebook app and the Facebook website, but the menu layout is slightly different. On the app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then tap Personal Information and Name. On desktop, use the downward arrow in the top right corner instead of the menu icon.

Both routes take you to the same name-editing screen. If you are using Facebook through a web browser on your phone, follow the desktop steps — the mobile app and mobile website have different navigation.

What Happens to Your Old Name

When you change your name, your old name disappears from your profile when ready. Friends cannot see it unless they look at your profile history, which most people do not know how to access. Messages you sent before the change still show your new name, not the old one — Facebook does not keep a visible record of your previous names in conversations.

Your old name does not appear in search results. If someone searches for your former name, they will not find your profile. However, Facebook's internal systems keep a log of all your name changes for security and fraud prevention purposes — you just cannot see it, and neither can your friends.

Fixing a Rejected Name Change

If Facebook rejects your name change, read the error message carefully. It will tell you whether the problem is a technical rule (like using numbers) or a policy issue (like the name appearing fake). If it is a technical rule, straightforward remove the offending characters and try again.

If Facebook says your name violates community standards or appears fake, click Let us know in the error message. You will see a form asking you to explain why you use that name. Be specific — if it is a legal name, say so; if it is a stage name or cultural name you go by, explain that. Facebook usually responds within a few days and either allows the name or explains why it cannot.

Changing Your Name Back to a Previous One

You can change your name back to any previous name you have used on Facebook. Facebook does not prevent you from reverting to an old name, even if you changed away from it months or years ago. straightforward go through the same Settings > Personal Information > Name steps and type the name you want to use.

There is no special process or approval needed to go back to a former name. Facebook treats it the same as any other name change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name if my account is new?

Yes. Facebook does not require you to wait any amount of time before changing your name. You can change it the day you create your account if you want.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

What if I see an error that says I changed my name too recently?

Wait a few days before trying again. This message means Facebook has temporarily locked your account's name-changing feature as a security measure. The lock usually lifts within three to seven days. You will be able to change your name again after that period passes.

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

You can try, but Facebook may reject it if the system flags it as fake. If your stage name or nickname is genuinely how you go by in public, use the appeal process to explain. Facebook often allows stage names, pen names, and cultural names once you provide context.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your name and your username are separate. Changing your name does not change your username or the URL people use to visit your profile. If you want to change your username, that is a different setting in the same Personal Information menu.