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 find the Name field. Click Edit next to your current name, type your new name in the boxes provided, and click Save Changes.

Facebook splits your name into a first name field and a last name field. You can use your full legal name, a nickname, a professional name, or any combination you prefer — Facebook does not require you to use your legal name. Type exactly what you want to appear on your profile, then save. The change takes effect when ready.

If you are using Facebook on a mobile phone, the steps are the same: tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, tap Personal Information, tap Name, edit the fields, and tap Save.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then clicking Edit next to your name.
  • Facebook allows you to use any name you want — your legal name, a nickname, a stage name, or initials — with no verification required.
  • Name changes take effect when ready and are visible to everyone on your friends list and to anyone who visits your profile.
  • You can change your name as often as you want, though Facebook may slow down repeated changes if it detects a pattern.

What Name Format Facebook Accepts

Facebook accepts most character combinations in the name field, but it does block some patterns. You cannot use numbers alone, excessive punctuation, or repeated special characters. Hyphens, apostrophes, and periods are allowed — so names like "Mary-Jane," "O'Brien," or "Jean-Paul" work fine.

If you try to save a name and Facebook rejects it, the system will tell you the name does not meet its standards. In that case, try removing extra punctuation or numbers, or simplify the format. Most common names, nicknames, and professional names go through without issue.

How Often You Can Change Your Name

You can change your name on Facebook as often as you want. There is no official limit on how many times you can update it. However, if you change your name very frequently — multiple times in a single day or week — Facebook may temporarily prevent further changes as a security measure to detect account takeovers or spam.

If you hit this limit, wait a few days before changing your name again. Facebook will restore your ability to edit after the waiting period. This is a safety feature, not a punishment, and it resets automatically.

Who Sees Your Name Change

Everyone who can see your profile will see your new name when ready. Your friends, followers, and anyone who visits your profile will see the updated name. People who have you in their contacts or who search for you by name will find you under your new name.

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends telling them you changed your name — they will only notice if they visit your profile or see you post something. Your old name does not appear in a history that others can view; only your current name shows on your profile.

Changing Your Name Back or Fixing a Mistake

If you change your name and want to revert to your old one, follow the same steps: go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then click Edit next to your name. Type your previous name and save. There is no penalty for changing back, and you can do this as many times as you need.

If you made a typo or capitalization error, the same process applies. straightforward edit the name field again and correct the mistake. Save the changes, and your profile updates right away.

What Happens to Your Username and Profile Link

Changing your display name does not change your Facebook username or profile URL. Your username is a separate setting that you can customize independently. If someone has a link to your profile (like facebook.com/yourname or facebook.com/12345678), that link still works even after you change your display name.

If you want to change your username as well, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then click Username. You can change your username once every 60 days. The display name and username are two different things, so changing one does not affect the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use my real name on Facebook?

No. Facebook allows you to use any name you want — a nickname, stage name, professional name, or initials. You do not need to provide legal documentation or proof of identity. The name you put in the field is the name that appears on your profile.

Can I use special characters or symbols in my name?

You can use hyphens, apostrophes, periods, and some other punctuation marks. Facebook blocks names with numbers, excessive symbols, or repeated special characters. If your name is rejected, try removing extra punctuation or numbers and try again.

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

No. Facebook does not send notifications about name changes. Your friends will only see your new name if they visit your profile or see you post something after the change.

Can I change my name on Facebook if my account is restricted or limited?

If your account is restricted due to suspicious activity or a security issue, you may not be able to change your name until Facebook lifts the restriction. If you cannot access the name settings, check your Settings & Privacy menu for any security alerts or messages from Facebook explaining the restriction.

What if Facebook says my name does not meet its standards?

Facebook blocks names with numbers, excessive punctuation, or repeated special characters. If your name is rejected, simplify it by removing numbers or extra symbols. If you believe your name should be allowed, you can report the issue to Facebook through the Help Center, but most rejections are due to formatting rather than the actual words you chose.