The fastest way to change your name on Facebook
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the Personal Information section and tap Name. Type your new name in the field that appears, then tap Review Change. Facebook will show you how your name will appear. Tap Save Changes to confirm.
The whole process takes about one minute. Your new name appears on your profile and in comments, messages, and posts right away. People who already know you will see the change when ready — Facebook does not hide name changes from your friends.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on the Facebook app.
- Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
- Your new name shows up everywhere on Facebook at once — in your profile, comments, messages, and friend lists.
- If you change your name back and forth too often, Facebook may temporarily lock you out of making more changes.
What names Facebook will and will not accept
Facebook requires your name to use only letters, numbers, hyphens, periods, and spaces. You cannot use symbols like &, @, #, or !, and you cannot use all capital letters. If you try to use symbols or all caps, the app will show an error message and ask you to revise.
Your name must be between two and 50 characters long. Nicknames, stage names, and names in any language are allowed — Facebook does not require your legal name. If you use a name that does not match your legal documents, you may be asked to verify it later if you try to use Facebook Pay or other features that need identity confirmation.
The 60-day waiting period between changes
After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. If you try to tap the Name option before 60 days have passed, the app will show a message telling you when you can change it next. This limit applies whether you change your name once or change it back to your original name.
If you made a typo or realized you want a different name, you have to wait the full 60 days. There is no way to speed this up through the app or by contacting Facebook support. Plan your name change carefully the first time.
Why Facebook might reject your name change
Facebook rejects name changes for a few specific reasons. If you use symbols, numbers in unusual places, or all capital letters, the app will ask you to fix it. If your name is too short (fewer than two characters) or too long (more than 50 characters), you will get an error. If you try to use offensive language or text that looks like spam, Facebook will block the change.
If you have changed your name many times in a short period, Facebook may temporarily prevent you from making another change. This is a safety feature to stop people from using name changes to evade account restrictions or hide from others. If this happens, wait a few weeks before trying again.
Changing your name on desktop versus the app
The steps are slightly different on a computer. Go to facebook.com, click the down arrow in the top right, click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. Find Personal Information and click Name. Type your new name and click Review Change, then Save Changes.
The 60-day waiting period and name rules are the same on both the app and desktop. If you change your name on the app, you cannot change it again on desktop for 60 days, and vice versa — the limit applies to your account, not to 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 and comments you made under your previous name will still show that old name on them. If you posted a comment three months ago under the name "Jane Smith" and you change your name to "Jane Jones," that old comment will still say "Jane Smith" posted it.
People cannot search for your old name to find you anymore. Your friends will see your new name in their friend list and in messages. If someone was looking for you by your old name, they will not find you — they would need to search your new name or have your profile link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?
No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes on your account. If you change your name and then change your mind, you have to wait 60 days before you can change it again. There is no exception to this rule.
Will my friends get a notification when I change my name?
Your friends will see your new name the next time they look at your profile or see you in their friend list, but Facebook does not send them a specific notification about the change. Some friends may notice if they see you in a comment or message shortly after the change.
What if I want to use a name with numbers or special characters?
Facebook does not allow most special characters or symbols in names. You can use hyphens, periods, and spaces, but not &, @, #, !, or other symbols. Numbers are allowed but must be part of a real name — you cannot use a name that is only numbers.
Can I change my name back to my original name without waiting 60 days?
No. Changing your name back counts as a name change, so you have to wait 60 days just like any other change. If you change your name and want to revert, you will need to wait the full 60 days before you can do it.
What if Facebook says my name change failed?
Check that your name uses only letters, numbers, hyphens, periods, and spaces. Make sure it is between two and 50 characters long and does not use all capital letters. If you have changed your name many times recently, Facebook may have temporarily locked you out — wait a few weeks and try again.