The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Go to your Facebook profile, click the down arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. Find the line that says Name and click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided, then click Review change and Save changes. The change takes effect when ready.

Facebook stores your name in separate fields — first name, middle name (optional), and last name — so you can enter them however you want. You do not need to match any government document. The name you enter is what appears on your profile and in your friends' friend lists.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, and the change appears right away.
  • Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
  • Your old name stays visible in your activity log and in past posts and comments, but your profile shows only the new name.
  • If you change your name too often, Facebook may lock the name-change feature temporarily to prevent misuse.

What happens to your old name after you change it

When you change your name on Facebook, the new name appears on your profile, in your friends' lists, and on any new posts or comments you make. However, your old name does not disappear entirely. It stays visible in your activity log — a record only you can see — and it remains attached to all your past posts and comments. If you posted something under the name "Sarah Johnson" two years ago, that post still shows "Sarah Johnson" as the author, even if you are now listed as "Sarah Chen".

Your friends will see the name change in their notifications. Facebook sends a small alert to people who follow you or are connected to you, so they know you have changed your name. This is normal and happens automatically.

The 60-day waiting period between name changes

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it again before 60 days have passed since your last change, you will see a message saying you must wait. The timer starts from the date of your most recent name change, not from when you tried to change it.

This limit exists to prevent people from constantly switching names to evade detection or cause confusion. If you made a typo or want to correct something right away, you will still have to wait the full 60 days. Plan your name change carefully the first time.

When Facebook locks your name-change feature

If you change your name very frequently — even within the 60-day limit by using different devices or accounts — Facebook may temporarily disable the name-change feature on your account. This is an automated safety measure. When this happens, you will see a message saying you cannot change your name right now, and you will have to wait several days or weeks before trying again.

The lock is temporary and lifts on its own. You cannot speed up the process by contacting Facebook support. The best way to avoid this is to change your name only when you genuinely need to and to wait the full 60 days between changes.

Changing your username (the part after facebook.com)

Your Facebook username is different from your name. The username is the short handle that appears in your profile URL — for example, facebook.com/sarah.chen. You can change your username once, ever. After that, you cannot change it again, so choose carefully.

To change your username, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Username. Click Edit, type your new username, and click Review change. Facebook will check whether the username is available. If it is taken, you will see a message and can try a different one. Once you confirm the change, your old username becomes available for someone else to claim.

What you cannot change about your name on Facebook

Facebook has rules about what names are allowed. You cannot use numbers, symbols, or unusual characters in your name — Facebook will reject them. You also cannot use all capital letters, and you cannot include words that Facebook's system flags as spam or abuse. If you try to enter a name that breaks these rules, you will see an error message telling you what went wrong.

If your real name includes characters that Facebook does not accept — such as accents, hyphens, or apostrophes in certain positions — you may need to work around the system. Some people use similar-looking characters or spell their name differently on Facebook than in real life. This is not against Facebook's rules as long as the name you enter follows the character restrictions.

Changing your name if you do not have access to your account

If you cannot log into your Facebook account, you cannot change your name through the normal settings. You will need to regain access first. Go to facebook.com and click Forgotten password? Enter your email address or phone number, and Facebook will send you a link to reset your password. Follow the link, create a new password, and log back in. Then you can change your name using the steps above.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number connected to your account, the process is more complicated. Facebook will ask you to verify your identity using a photo of your ID or by answering security questions you set up before. This can take several days. Once your account is restored, you can change your name when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name to something completely different from my real name?

Yes. Facebook does not require your name to match any government document or your legal name. You can use a nickname, a stage name, or any combination of words as long as it follows Facebook's character rules — no numbers, no all capitals, no excessive symbols. Many people use names that are not their legal names.

Will my friends see that I changed my name?

Yes, Facebook sends a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see an alert saying you updated your name. This is automatic and you cannot turn it off, but it is a normal part of how Facebook works.

What if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

If Facebook rejects your name, it means the system detected words or patterns it considers spam, abuse, or harassment. Try a different spelling or variation. If you believe your name was rejected by mistake — for example, if it is a real cultural or family name — you can contact Facebook support through the Help Center, though response times vary.

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name from "John Smith" to "John Jones" today, you cannot change it back to "John Smith" until 60 days have passed. After that, you can change it to anything, including your old name.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook Messenger or other apps?

Your name change appears everywhere Facebook shows your name — Messenger, Instagram (if your accounts are linked), and any other Meta app connected to your Facebook account. The change is when ready across all of them.