The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device and click the profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Personal information, then find Name and click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided — Facebook splits this into first name and last name — then click Review change and Save changes.

The change takes effect when ready. Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, in posts, and anywhere else your name shows on Facebook. People who know you under your old name will still be able to find your profile through your username or profile URL, which does not change.

If you are on a mobile phone, the path is the same: tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, tap Personal information, then tap Name and follow the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name from Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name on any device.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
  • Your username and profile URL stay the same when you change your name, so people can still find you the same way.
  • If Facebook blocks your name change, it is usually because the name violates their naming rules — numbers, symbols, and excessive punctuation are not allowed.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook has rules about what counts as a valid name. You can use letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use numbers, symbols, emoji, or repeated punctuation. Names like "Mary-Jane O'Brien" work fine. Names like "Mary Jane 2024" or "Mary_Jane" or "M@ry J@ne" will be rejected.

Facebook also rejects names that look like they are trying to impersonate someone else, advertise a business, or include hashtags and @ symbols. If your name change is rejected, Facebook usually shows you which rule it broke. Read that message carefully — it tells you exactly what to fix.

If you have a name that is genuinely yours but does not fit these rules — for example, a name with numbers that is part of your cultural or family tradition — you can appeal the rejection. Facebook has a form for this, though the process takes longer than a standard name change.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This is a hard limit. 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. The timer starts from the moment you save the change, not from when you started editing.

This rule exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to evade moderation or confuse others. If you made a typo or changed your mind, you have to wait the full 60 days. Plan your name change carefully the first time.

Changing your display name versus your legal name

Facebook distinguishes between your name (what appears on your profile and in comments) and your username (the custom URL like facebook.com/yourname). When you change your name through Settings, you are changing the display name only. Your username stays the same unless you change it separately.

If you want to change your username, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Username. You can change your username once every 60 days as well. Unlike your display name, your username can include periods and numbers, and it is what people type into the URL bar to visit your profile.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile when ready. However, people who saw your old name in comments, posts, or messages before the change will still see the old name in those places — Facebook does not retroactively update old content. Going forward, all new activity shows your new name.

Your friends will see your new name on your profile and in their friends list. If you have a public profile, anyone searching for your old name will not find you by that name anymore, but they can still find you by your username or by scrolling through mutual friends.

If Facebook blocks your name change

Facebook blocks name changes for a few reasons. The most common is that your proposed name breaks their naming rules — it contains numbers, symbols, or repeated punctuation. The message you receive will tell you which rule was broken. Fix the name and try again.

Less commonly, Facebook blocks a name change if your account is new or if you have been reported for impersonation or abuse. If this happens, you will see a message explaining the block. If you believe the block is a mistake, you can report the problem through the same Settings menu — look for a link that says "Report a problem" or "Get help" near the name field.

If your name is blocked because it does not fit Facebook's standard naming format but is genuinely your legal name, you can appeal. Look for an option to "Request review" or "Appeal" in the error message. Facebook reviews these requests, though it can take several days.

Changing your name on Facebook Messenger and other apps

When you change your name on Facebook, it updates automatically on Messenger, Instagram (if your accounts are linked), and any other Meta app connected to your Facebook account. You do not need to change your name separately in each app. The change syncs across all of them within a few minutes.

If you use a business page or a creator account in addition to your personal profile, those have separate name settings. Changing your personal name does not affect your business page name. You would need to edit the business page separately if you want to change that name too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to my old name right away?

No. Once you change your name, you must wait 60 days before changing it again, even if you want to change it back. If you made a mistake, you have to wait the full 60 days. Plan your name change carefully to avoid this situation.

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 your 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.

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

Yes. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name — you can use any name that follows their naming rules (letters, spaces, hyphens, apostrophes only). Many people use nicknames, stage names, or shortened versions of their legal names.

What if I want to change my name but Facebook says my account is too new?

New accounts sometimes have restrictions on name changes for the first few days or weeks. Wait a few days and try again. If the block persists, report the problem through Settings and request a review. Facebook will look at your account and either lift the restriction or explain why it is in place.

Does changing my name affect my privacy settings or who can see my profile?

No. Your privacy settings stay exactly the same. Changing your name does not make your profile more or less visible, and it does not change who can message you or see your posts. Only your display name changes.