Change Your Name in Facebook Settings

To change your name on Facebook, go to the menu in the top right corner of any page, select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, find and click Personal information. You will see your name listed there. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Facebook will open a box showing your current first and last name. Type your new name into these fields. You can change one or both. When you are done, click Review change at the bottom of the box. Facebook will show you exactly what will change before you confirm it.

After you click Save changes, your new name appears on your profile and in your posts right away. People who already know you will see the change in their news feed, and Facebook will notify your friends that you changed your name.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information, then click the pencil icon next to your name.
  • Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
  • Your new name shows up when ready on your profile, posts, and comments, and your friends get a notification.
  • If Facebook blocks your change and says your name does not follow community standards, you can request a review, though the decision usually stands.

Understanding Facebook's 60-Day Waiting Period

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule applies whether you change your first name, last name, or both at the same time. The 60 days starts from the moment you save your change, not from when you started editing.

If you made a typo or changed your mind, you have to wait the full 60 days before you can fix it. Plan your change carefully so you do not end up stuck with a name you did not intend. Write out exactly what you want your name to be before you open the edit box.

What Names Facebook Will and Will Not Accept

Facebook has rules about what counts as a real name. The platform will reject names that include numbers, symbols, or repeated letters that do not appear in actual names. It will also reject names that look like a username or email address, or names that are all uppercase letters.

Names that Facebook commonly blocks include nicknames written as a single word (like "JohnnyRockstar"), names with numbers (like "John2024"), and names with special characters (like "John@Smith"). If you want to use a nickname or stage name, Facebook may not let you use it as your official name, though you can add it to your profile in other ways.

If Facebook rejects your name change and tells you it does not follow community standards, you can click Request review to ask Facebook to reconsider. You may need to upload a photo of your ID or other proof. However, if Facebook reviewed your request once and denied it, a second request usually gets the same answer.

How Your Name Change Appears to Other People

When you change your name, everyone on Facebook sees the change. Your friends will get a notification that says you changed your name, and the old name will no longer appear on your profile or in your posts. If someone searches for your old name, they will not find your profile under that name anymore.

Comments and posts you made under your old name will now show your new name. This means if you posted something five years ago under a different name, it will now display your current name. There is no way to keep old posts under your previous name.

Changing Your Name Back to a Previous One

If you changed your name and now want to change it back, you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. You cannot skip the waiting period even if you are returning to a name you used before. The 60-day rule applies to every name change, in any direction.

If you changed your name multiple times in the past, you can go back to any of those previous names, but you still have to follow the 60-day waiting period between each change. Write down the date you made your last change so you know when you are allowed to change it again.

Troubleshooting a Blocked or Failed Name Change

If you try to change your name and Facebook shows an error message, the most common reason is that your new name does not follow Facebook's naming rules. Check that your name does not have numbers, symbols, or too many repeated letters. Make sure it is not all uppercase and does not look like an email address or username.

If you see a message saying you changed your name too recently, you are still within the 60-day waiting period. Count forward from your last change to find out when you can try again. If you are certain you have waited 60 days, try logging out and logging back in, then attempt the change again.

If Facebook says your name violates community standards and you believe it is your real name, click Request review and upload a government ID, passport, or other official document that shows your name. Facebook will examine your request, though approval is not may provide. If the review is denied, you cannot request another review for the same name.

Using a Nickname or Stage Name on Your Profile

If Facebook will not let you use a nickname or stage name as your official name, you have other options. You can add a nickname to your profile by going to Personal information and clicking the pencil icon next to Other names. Type in any nickname, stage name, or alternate name you want people to see.

Names you add under Other names do not have to follow Facebook's strict naming rules. You can use numbers, symbols, or any format you want. These names appear on your profile but do not replace your official name in posts and comments. Friends can search for you using your other names, which makes it easier for people to find you if they know you by a different name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Once you change your name, you must wait exactly 60 days before you can change it again. This applies even if you want to change it back to your previous name or to a completely different name. The 60-day period starts the moment you save your change.

What happens to my old name after I change it?

Your old name disappears from your profile and from all your posts and comments. If someone searches for your old name on Facebook, they will not find your profile. However, if you change your name back within a few years, you may be able to use that old name again after waiting 60 days.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Yes. Facebook sends a notification to your friends telling them you changed your name. The notification appears in their news feed and in their notifications. There is no way to change your name without your friends seeing the change.

Can I use special characters or numbers in my Facebook name?

No. Facebook will reject names that include numbers, symbols, or special characters. Your name must contain only letters and spaces. If you want to use a nickname with numbers or symbols, add it under Other names in your personal information instead.

What should I do if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

Click Request review and upload a photo of your government ID, passport, or other official document showing your name. Facebook will examine your request. If the review is denied, you cannot request another review for the same name, so make sure your request includes clear proof before you submit it.