The Steps to Change Your Facebook Name

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to find Personal Information and click Name. Type your new first and last name in the boxes provided, click Review Change, and then Save Changes. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, and in messages when ready after you save. People who know you under your old name can still find you through your username or profile URL, which does not change.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on both the Facebook app and website.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
  • Your username and profile URL stay the same when you change your display name, so people can still find you the same way.
  • If Facebook blocks your name change and says it violates community standards, you can request a review, though the process takes several days.

Why Facebook Might Block Your Name Change

Facebook has automated rules that flag certain names as suspicious. The system rejects names with too many numbers, names that look like they contain symbols or special characters, or names that match known spam patterns. If your change is blocked, you will see a message saying your name does not follow Facebook's naming standards.

Names that include numbers (like "John Smith 123") are almost always rejected. Names with unusual spacing, multiple capital letters in the middle of words, or characters that are not standard letters also trigger the block. If you are trying to use a stage name, nickname, or name from a non-Latin alphabet, Facebook may still accept it, but the system is unpredictable with these cases.

What to Do If Your Name Change Is Rejected

When Facebook blocks your name change, click the Request Review button that appears with the rejection message. Explain why you use that name — whether it is a stage name, a cultural name, a nickname you go by, or a name in a different script. Facebook's review team will look at your request within a few days, though some requests take up to a week.

If the review is denied, your only option is to try a different version of the name. For example, if "Maria-José" was rejected, try "Maria Jose" without the hyphen. If numbers are the problem, spell them out instead (write "John Smith Two" rather than "John Smith 2"). You can attempt another change after 60 days have passed since your last successful change.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days. This rule applies whether your previous change was successful or rejected. If you changed your name on January 1st, you cannot change it again until March 1st or later. The 60-day clock starts from the date you saved your last change, not from when you attempted it.

This waiting period exists to prevent spam and account takeovers. If you need to correct a typo or misspelling when ready after a change, contact Facebook through the Help Center to request an exception, though they rarely grant these. Plan your name change carefully so you do not waste your one change per 60 days on a mistake.

Changing Your Name on Mobile vs. Desktop

The steps are nearly identical on the Facebook app and the website, but the menu locations are slightly different. On the app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right, scroll to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then find Personal Information. On a computer or mobile browser, click the downward arrow in the top right of the page instead of the menu icon.

Both versions require you to enter your password before saving the change. If you are logged out or your session has expired, Facebook will ask you to log back in. The change syncs across all devices within seconds, so you will see your new name on your phone and computer at the same time.

What Does Not Change When You Update Your Name

Your Facebook username (the custom URL you may have set up) does not change. If your profile URL is facebook.com/john.smith.123, it stays that way even if you change your display name to "Jonathan Smith" or something completely different. This is helpful because people who have bookmarked your profile or shared your link can still reach you.

Your email address, phone number, and password also remain unchanged. Old messages and posts under your previous name stay as they are — Facebook does not rewrite your history. If you posted something under the name "Sarah Johnson" and then change to "Sarah Lee," that post still shows "Sarah Johnson" as the author in the timestamp, though your current profile shows "Sarah Lee."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days from your last successful change. If you changed your name on January 1st and want to change it back on January 15th, you cannot — you must wait until March 1st. After that date, you can change it back to your original name or to any other name that passes Facebook's review.

What if someone else is using my real name on Facebook?

You cannot force them to change it, but you can report the account if it is impersonating you. Go to their profile, click the three dots in the top right, select Report, and choose It is pretending to be me or someone else. Facebook will investigate, though the process takes time and results are not may provide.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook friends or followers?

No. Your friends list, follower count, and all your connections stay exactly the same. People do not receive a notification that you changed your name, but they will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their news feed.

Can I use a fake name or stage name on Facebook?

Facebook's policy says you should use the name you go by in everyday life, but stage names, nicknames, and names from different alphabets are often accepted. If your name is rejected, use the Request Review option to explain that it is a stage name or cultural name you actually use. Facebook's review team may approve it even if the automated system did not.

What happens if I change my name multiple times in a short period?

Facebook will not let you change it more than once every 60 days, so the system prevents rapid changes automatically. If you somehow bypass this and change your name very frequently, Facebook may flag your account as suspicious and temporarily lock you out of making further changes. Stick to the 60-day rule to avoid this.