Change Your Name in Facebook Settings

To change your name on Facebook, go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the app, or click the downward arrow in the top right on a computer. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to Personal Information and tap or click Name. Type your new name in the fields provided and click Review Change.

Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear across the platform. If it looks correct, click Save Changes. Your name will update when ready on your profile, posts, comments, and messages. People who know you will see the change right away in their friends list and in notifications.

You can change your name as often as you want, but Facebook has a built-in delay if you change it very frequently. If you just changed your name within the last 60 days, you will see a message saying you must wait before changing it again. This is a security measure to prevent account takeovers.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your name settings through the menu, then Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name.
  • Facebook shows you a preview before the change goes live, so you can catch typos or formatting mistakes.
  • Your new name appears everywhere on your account when ready — profile, posts, messages, and friend lists.
  • You must wait 60 days between name changes if you have recently updated it, a protection against unauthorized account access.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a stage name, or any combination Facebook's system accepts.

What Names Facebook Will and Won't Accept

Facebook has rules about what characters and formats it allows in names. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes. Names like "Mary-Jane O'Brien" or "Jean Pierre" work fine. However, Facebook will reject names that are mostly numbers, names with repeated characters like "AAAAAAA", or names with symbols like @ or &.

The system also flags names that look like they might be fake — for example, a string of random letters or a name that is clearly a business slogan. If your name is rejected, Facebook will tell you which part caused the problem. Try removing extra spaces, unusual punctuation, or numbers, then submit again.

If you have a name that is genuinely unusual or uses characters from another language, Facebook usually accepts it. The system is designed to catch obvious fakes, not to enforce a particular naming standard. If your real name keeps getting rejected and you believe it is legitimate, you can contact Facebook support through the Help Center.

Changing Your Name on Mobile vs. Computer

The steps are nearly identical on phone and computer, but the menu locations differ slightly. On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the three-line menu icon at the bottom right of the screen (or top right, depending on your app version). On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Both lead to the same Settings menu.

After you reach Settings, the path is the same: Settings & Privacy → Settings → Personal Information → Name. The text fields and preview screen work the same way on both devices. If you are having trouble finding the menu on your phone, make sure you are using the official Facebook app, not a web browser — the layout is different in each.

What Happens to Your Old Name After You Change It

Your old name disappears from your profile and all public posts. People who search for your old name will not find you — they will only find you if they search your new name or your username. However, Facebook keeps a record of your name history for security purposes. If someone reports your account as hacked, Facebook can see all the names you have used and when you changed them.

Your old name does not appear in other people's messages or notifications. If a friend sent you a message before you changed your name, the message still shows it came from you, but your current name appears in the conversation. Posts you made under your old name now show your new name as the author.

Using a Username Instead of Changing Your Name

If you want a different way for people to find you without changing your legal name on your profile, you can create or change your username. Your username is the custom URL people can use to visit your profile — for example, facebook.com/yourname. This is separate from your display name and does not change how your name appears on posts or comments.

To set or change your username, go to Settings & Privacy → Settings → Personal Information → Username. You can change your username once every 60 days. Usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but not spaces or special characters. This option is useful if you want a shorter or simpler way for people to find you while keeping your real name on your profile.

Fixing a Typo or Formatting Mistake in Your Name

If you notice a typo after you change your name — for example, you typed "Micheal" instead of "Michael" — go back to Settings & Privacy → Settings → Personal Information → Name and correct it. You do not need to wait 60 days to fix a genuine spelling error. However, if you changed your name 60 days ago and now want to change it to something completely different, you will need to wait.

Facebook's system is designed to allow corrections but prevent frequent changes for security. If you are unsure whether your change counts as a correction or a new change, try updating it. If the system blocks you, it means you are still within the 60-day window. In that case, you will have to wait until the timer resets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you still have to follow the 60-day rule. If you changed your name and now want to go back to your old name, you can do so, but only if 60 days have passed since your last change. If less than 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you to wait.

Will my friends get a notification when I change my name?

No, Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, they will see the change if they look at your profile or if they are in a conversation with you. Some people notice name changes because they see the new name in their friends list or in recent posts.

What if I cannot find the name option in settings?

Make sure you are in the right section: Settings & Privacy → Settings → Personal Information. If you still do not see a Name option, try logging out and logging back in, or close and reopen the app. If the option is still missing, you may be using an older version of the app — update it from your phone's app store.

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

Yes. Facebook allows you to use any name you want as long as it follows the character rules and does not look like a fake account. Many people use stage names, nicknames, or professional names on their profiles. Facebook's policy is that you should use the name you go by in everyday life, but it does not verify your legal name.

What if Facebook says my name is not allowed?

Try removing numbers, extra spaces, or unusual punctuation. If your name is genuinely unusual or uses characters from another language, try submitting it again — the system sometimes flags names incorrectly on the first attempt. If it keeps getting rejected and you believe your name is legitimate, you can contact Facebook support through the Help Center for a manual review.