The quickest way to change your name on Facebook

Open the Facebook app on your phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner, scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap it. Select Name, then type your new name in the field that appears. Tap Review Change to see how it will look, then tap Confirm.

The name change takes effect when ready on your profile. Everyone who visits your page will see the new name right away. You can change your name as often as you want, though Facebook does have a rule: you must wait 60 days between changes if you've already changed it recently.

If you don't see a Personal Information option, your app may need an update. Go to your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Facebook, and tap Update if the button appears.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on the Facebook app.
  • The change shows up on your profile when ready and is visible to everyone who visits your page.
  • If you changed your name recently, you must wait 60 days before changing it again.
  • Your old name stays visible in your activity log and in past posts, but your profile displays only the new name.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, or any combination of letters and numbers that Facebook accepts.

What name format Facebook will accept

Facebook allows letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes in your name. You can use spaces between parts of your name. The app will reject names that look like they're trying to impersonate someone famous, contain too many numbers or symbols, or use all capital letters (unless that's genuinely how your name is spelled).

You cannot use special characters like @ or &, and you cannot use HTML code or links. If Facebook rejects your name choice, try removing extra numbers or symbols and submit again. The rejection message will usually tell you what part of the name caused the problem.

The 60-day waiting period explained

If you've changed your name on Facebook within the last 60 days, the app will not let you change it again until that period ends. This rule applies whether you changed it once or multiple times—the clock starts from your most recent change.

You can still see when you'll be able to change your name next. Go back to Settings > Personal Information > Name, and if you're in a waiting period, the app will show you the date when you can change it again. There's no way to skip this waiting period, even if you contact Facebook support.

How your old name appears after you change it

When you change your name, your old name does not disappear completely. Anyone looking at your activity log (the timeline of your posts and actions) will still see your old name attached to posts you made before the change. This is how Facebook keeps a record of who posted what.

Your profile itself shows only your new name. When someone visits your page, they see the current name at the top. Comments you made on other people's posts will also show your new name, even though you made them under your old name.

Changing your name on desktop versus the app

If you have access to a computer, you can also change your name through the Facebook website. The steps are similar: click the downward arrow in the top right, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings, find Personal Information, and click Name. The desktop version works the same way and has the same 60-day waiting period.

The app and desktop version are linked to the same account, so if you change your name on your phone, it changes everywhere. You don't need to do it twice. If you're having trouble on the app, trying the desktop version sometimes helps, but the change itself will be the same either way.

What to do if the name change won't go through

If you tap Confirm and the change doesn't stick, first check that you're not in a 60-day waiting period. If you are, you'll have to wait. If you're not in a waiting period and the change still fails, try closing the Facebook app completely and opening it again. Sometimes the app needs to refresh.

If the problem continues, make sure your phone has the latest version of the Facebook app installed. Go to your app store, search for Facebook, and install any available update. After updating, try changing your name again. If it still doesn't work, the issue may be temporary on Facebook's end—try again in a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can change your name back to any previous name, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert, you'll need to wait until the 60-day period ends, then go through the same steps to change it back.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in a conversation. Some people may not notice the change right away.

Can I have two different names on Facebook?

No, you have one name per account. If you want to use a different name for a different purpose, you would need to create a separate Facebook account. Each account can have its own name and profile.

What if Facebook says my name violates their rules?

If Facebook rejects your name, it usually means the name looks like it's impersonating someone, contains too many numbers, or uses formatting that looks like spam. Try a simpler version of the name you want. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, you can report the issue through the app's help section.

Does changing my name affect my username or profile link?

No. Your username (the part of your profile link that comes after facebook.com/) stays the same when you change your name. If you want to change your username, that's a separate process done in the same Settings area, but usernames have their own rules and waiting periods.