The steps to change your Facebook name

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. From there, select Personal Information, then Name. Type your new name in the fields provided and tap Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name will appear, and you can confirm or go back to edit. Once you confirm, the change takes effect when ready.

On a computer, the path is similar: click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Find Personal Information in the left menu, click Name, enter your new name, and click Review Change. The preview shows exactly how it will look to other people on your profile and in posts.

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it before that window closes, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent spam and impersonation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on both mobile and desktop.
  • Facebook shows you a preview of how your new name will appear before you confirm the change.
  • You can only change your name once every 60 days, and Facebook enforces this limit automatically.
  • Your new name takes effect when ready and shows on your profile, posts, and comments right away.
  • Facebook has rules about what names are allowed — they must follow community standards and cannot impersonate others.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires names to follow its Community Standards. You cannot use numbers as the primary part of your name, symbols, or repeated characters. Names that look like they are trying to impersonate a public figure, brand, or organization will be rejected. For example, "John Smith 123" or "***John***" will not pass.

Your name must also be the name you go by in everyday life. Facebook does not allow names that are purely fictional characters, business names, or hashtags. If you use a nickname or stage name that people actually call you, that is usually acceptable — Facebook looks at whether the name is genuine to how you present yourself, not whether it matches your legal documents.

If Facebook rejects your name change, you will see an explanation of why. The most common reason is that the name does not follow the format rules. You can try again with a different version of the name you want to use.

How long the change takes to show everywhere

Your name change shows on your profile and in new posts or comments when ready after you confirm it. However, it can take a few hours to a few days for the new name to appear everywhere across Facebook — in old posts, in search results, and in other people's friend lists. This delay happens because Facebook's systems need time to update across all its servers.

During this time, some people may still see your old name in certain places while your profile shows the new one. This is normal and temporary. If after a week your name still has not updated in most places, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center to report the issue.

Changing your name back or changing it again

If you change your name and then want to change it back, you have to wait the full 60 days before you can make another change. There is no way to speed this up or get an exception. This applies whether you are changing to a completely different name or reverting to your old one.

If you need to change your name urgently — for example, because of a legal name change or a safety concern — you can contact Facebook's Help Center and explain the situation. Facebook does not always grant exceptions, but it is worth documenting your reason and submitting a request. Include details about why the standard 60-day wait does not work for your situation.

Changing your name after a legal name change

If you have legally changed your name through a court order, you can update your Facebook name to match. You do not need to provide Facebook with legal documents — the change goes through the same process as any other name change. However, if you have already used your 60-day window recently, you may have to wait before you can update it.

If the 60-day limit is preventing you from updating your name after a legal change, contact Facebook through the Help Center. Explain that you have a court order and ask if they can make an exception. While Facebook does not always grant these requests, having documentation of your legal name change strengthens your case.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and from new activity. However, old posts, comments, and messages you sent before the change will still show your old name attached to them. Facebook does not retroactively update the name on past content — only your current profile and future activity show the new name.

This means if someone looks at a post you made two years ago, they will see your old name on that post. Your profile itself will show your current name. This is by design and cannot be changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you try to change your name before that window closes, you will see the exact date when you can change it again. There is no way to bypass this limit except in rare cases where you can document a legal name change or a safety concern.

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

No, Facebook does not send notifications to your friends when you change your name. However, they will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity. Some people may notice the change if they are looking at your profile regularly.

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

No. Facebook does not allow numbers, symbols, or repeated characters in names. Your name must contain only letters and standard spacing. Accented letters and characters from other languages are allowed if they are part of your actual name.

What if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

Facebook will tell you why your name was rejected. Common reasons are that it looks like you are impersonating someone, it contains numbers or symbols, or it does not appear to be a real name. Try a different version of the name you want to use and submit it again. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, you can appeal through the Help Center.

Does changing my name on Facebook change my username?

No. Your name and your username are separate. Your name is what appears on your profile and in posts. Your username is the handle in your Facebook URL (facebook.com/yourname). Changing one does not change the other. You can change your username separately through Settings, though you can only do that once every 60 days as well.