Change your name directly in the Facebook app settings

Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Look for the section labeled Personal Information and tap Name. You'll see your current name displayed. Tap the pencil icon or the name field itself to edit it.

Type your new name into the field. Facebook allows you to use your first name, middle name, last name, or any combination. You can also include accents, hyphens, or apostrophes if your name requires them. Once you've entered the new name, tap Review Change at the bottom of the screen.

Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear on your profile. If it looks correct, tap Save Changes. The app will confirm the change has been made. Your new name will appear on your profile when ready, and your friends will see the update in their activity feeds.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through the app by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name.
  • Facebook allows first names, last names, middle names, and combinations, plus accents, hyphens, and apostrophes.
  • The change takes effect when ready after you tap Save Changes, and your friends will see the update in their feeds.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
  • If you see an error message saying your name violates Facebook's standards, the name may contain numbers, symbols Facebook doesn't allow, or words the platform flags as spam.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name

Sometimes Facebook will reject a name change and show an error message. This usually happens if the name contains numbers, excessive punctuation, or words that Facebook's system flags as potentially fake or spam. The most common reason is using all capital letters, numbers mixed with letters in unusual ways, or repeated characters.

If your name is rejected, try removing numbers, extra symbols, or unusual spacing. If you have a legitimate name that Facebook is blocking—for example, a name with a number in it that is actually part of your legal name—you can appeal the decision. Tap the error message and look for an option to Request Review. Facebook's team will look at your appeal, though this can take several days.

Changing your name back to a previous version

If you've changed your name before and want to go back to an old version, you can do that through the same Name settings. Facebook keeps a history of your recent name changes. When you tap the Name field, you may see a list of your previous names below the current one. Tap any previous name to restore it without waiting for the 60-day window.

This option is only available if you're switching back to a name you've used recently on Facebook. If you want to use a name from years ago that no longer appears in the list, you'll need to wait until the 60-day window passes since your last change, then enter it as a new name.

Understanding the 60-day change limit

Facebook limits how often you can change your name to once every 60 days. This rule applies whether you're changing to a completely new name or reverting to a previous one—with one exception. If you're switching back to a name that appears in your history, that doesn't count against the 60-day limit.

If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will show a message telling you when you'll be able to change it again. Mark that date on your calendar if you're planning a name change. The timer resets from the date of your most recent change, not from when you first created your account.

Making sure your name change saves

After you tap Save Changes, wait a few seconds for the app to process the update. You should see a confirmation message or be returned to your profile. If the app closes or you lose connection before the change finishes saving, go back to the Name settings and check whether the change went through. If it didn't, you can try again when ready—the failed attempt doesn't count against your 60-day limit.

If you're on a slow internet connection, the change may take longer to process. Make sure you have a stable connection before starting. If you see the name field revert to your old name after a few seconds, the change didn't save. Try again, and this time wait until you see a clear confirmation before closing the settings screen.

Changing your name on desktop versus mobile

The steps are slightly different if you use Facebook on a computer instead of the app. On desktop, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Find Personal Information and click Name. The process is otherwise the same—edit the field, review the change, and save it.

Both the app and desktop version share the same 60-day limit, so changing your name on one device counts toward the limit on the other. If you change your name on the app, you won't be able to change it again on desktop for 60 days. The name change syncs across all devices within a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Facebook allows nicknames, stage names, and any name you go by regularly. You don't have to use your legal name. However, the name you choose must follow Facebook's standards—no numbers, no excessive symbols, and nothing that looks like spam or a fake account. If your stage name or nickname meets those rules, it will work.

What if I don't see a Name option in Personal Information?

Make sure you're in the right menu. Go to the three lines icon, tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down until you see Personal Information. If you still don't see it, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If the option is still missing, you may be using an older version of the app—update it from your phone's app store and try again.

Will my friends get notified when I change my name?

Yes. Your friends will see your name change appear in their activity feeds, similar to other profile updates. They'll see a notification that says you changed your name, along with your old name and new name. You can't hide this notification or change your name privately.

Can I change my name if my account is new?

Yes. You can change your name on a brand-new account. There's no waiting period based on account age. However, if you've already changed your name once, you still have to wait 60 days before changing it again, even if your account is only a few days old.

What if my name contains special characters and Facebook keeps rejecting it?

Facebook accepts hyphens, apostrophes, and accents in most cases. If your name contains other special characters—like periods, commas, or symbols—Facebook may reject it. Try removing the extra characters and using only letters, hyphens, and apostrophes. If your name legitimately requires other characters, use the Request Review option to appeal the rejection.