Change your name in Facebook settings

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information, then click next to your name. Type your new name in the fields provided and click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears across the platform. Click Save Changes when you're ready.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your new name becomes visible to your friends and the public (depending on your privacy settings) within a few minutes after you save. Facebook stores a record of name changes, but only you and people you've blocked from seeing your profile history can view when you changed it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information on any device.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
  • Your new name appears when ready to friends and followers, though Facebook keeps a record of the change for security reasons.
  • If Facebook rejects your name as fake or violates community standards, you can request a review or contact support for help.

What names Facebook accepts and rejects

Facebook requires names to match the name you go by in everyday life. This means your legal name, a nickname you're commonly known by, or a name from a different alphabet or language are all acceptable. The platform rejects names that include numbers, symbols, unusual spacing, or repeated characters — for example, "J0hn" or "John...Smith" will be flagged.

Names that appear to be fake, offensive, or designed to impersonate someone else are also rejected. If your name contains a title (like "Dr." or "Professor"), Facebook may ask you to remove it. If your name is rejected, Facebook shows you the reason and lets you try again with a different version. You can request a manual review if you believe your name was rejected by mistake.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your name, you must wait 60 days before changing it again. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will tell you the exact date you can make your next change.

The 60-day timer starts from the moment you save your most recent name change, not from when you began the process. If you made a typo or want to fix capitalization, you still have to wait the full 60 days — Facebook counts any change to your name field as a new change.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu locations differ slightly. On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then tap Personal Information. Tap your name and follow the same review and save process as on desktop.

On desktop, the downward arrow menu is in the top right corner of any Facebook page. Both versions show you a preview of your new name before you save, so you can catch mistakes on either device. If you change your name on mobile, the change syncs to desktop within minutes, and vice versa.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your previous name does not disappear from Facebook's records. The platform keeps a history of all your name changes for security and fraud prevention. Only you can see this history by going to your profile, clicking the three dots next to your cover photo, and selecting View Activity Log. Search for "name" in the activity log to see when you changed your name and what you changed it to.

Your friends and followers do not see your name change history unless you share it with them. Old messages, posts, and comments you made under your previous name stay attached to your account and still show your old name in those specific places. Your profile, however, displays only your current name.

Troubleshooting when Facebook rejects your name change

If Facebook rejects your name, read the reason it provides. The most common reasons are that the name contains numbers or symbols, appears fake, or violates community standards. Try removing numbers, extra spaces, or punctuation and submit again. If your name is culturally specific or uses a non-Latin alphabet, make sure you're using the correct characters — Facebook accepts names in most languages.

If you believe your name was rejected unfairly, click Request Review on the rejection screen. Facebook's support team will examine your name within a few days and either approve it or explain why it still doesn't meet guidelines. You can also contact Facebook Support through the Help Center if you need additional information. Keep in mind that Facebook's name policy is strict, and names designed to look like titles, URLs, or multiple people's names will not be approved.

How your name change affects tags and mentions

When you change your name, all future tags and mentions use your new name. If someone tags you in a photo after your name change, the tag shows your current name. However, old tags and mentions from before the change still display your previous name in those specific posts and photos — Facebook does not retroactively update past tags.

Your friends can still find and message you using either your old or new name for a short period after the change, though Facebook's search prioritizes your current name. If you change your name frequently, some older posts may look confusing because they show different names across the same thread.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you need to change your name again before 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you the exact date you can make your next change. There is no way to bypass this limit.

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

Report the account to Facebook by visiting their profile, clicking the three dots, and selecting Report. Choose "It's pretending to be someone" and follow the prompts. Facebook investigates impersonation reports and may remove the account or ask the person to change their name. You can also contact Facebook Support if the impersonation is causing you harm.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your name and your username are separate. Changing your display name does not change your username (the part that appears in your profile URL, like facebook.com/yourname). You can change your username separately through Settings > Personal Information > Username, though you can only do this once every 60 days as well.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, if you have activity notifications turned on, your friends may see your name change appear in their activity feed. Your new name becomes visible to them the next time they view your profile or see a post from you.

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

No. Facebook only accepts letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Emojis, symbols, and special characters like @ or # will cause your name change to be rejected. If your name traditionally includes a special character (like an accent mark or apostrophe), use the closest standard character available.