How to change your name on Facebook
You can change the name that appears on your Facebook profile by going to your settings, finding the name field, and typing in what you want it to say. Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up across all your devices and in other people's feeds.
The name you set on Facebook does not have to match your legal name, but Facebook does ask that you use the name you go by in everyday life. If you use a nickname, stage name, or name from a different culture or language, Facebook allows that — you just cannot use numbers, symbols, or characters that are not part of a standard alphabet.
Key Takeaways
- Open Facebook settings on your phone or computer, click "Personal Information," then select "Name" to make the change.
- You can change your name once every 60 days, and the change shows up right away on your profile.
- Facebook accepts nicknames, stage names, and names from different languages, but not numbers or special characters.
- If you change your name too often, Facebook may lock the name field temporarily and ask you to verify your identity.
- Your old name does not disappear from Facebook's records — people who knew you by your previous name can still find you through search.
Steps to change your name on Facebook
On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal Information." Find the row that says "Name" and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new name in the field that appears, then click "Review Change."
On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (iPhone) or top right corner (Android). Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." Tap "Personal Information," then "Name." Type your new name and tap "Review Change." Either way, Facebook will show you a preview of how your name will look and ask you to confirm before it goes live.
What happens if you change your name too often
If you change your name more than once every 60 days, Facebook will not let you change it again until the 60-day window passes. If you try to change it repeatedly in a short time, Facebook may temporarily lock your name field and ask you to confirm your identity by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions.
This is a safety measure to prevent account takeovers. If you are locked out of changing your name, wait a few days and try again. If the lock persists, you can report the issue to Facebook through the Help Center, though response times vary.
Names Facebook will not accept
Facebook rejects names that contain numbers (like "John123"), special characters (like "@" or "#"), or repeated punctuation marks. Names that look like they are meant to be fake or promotional — for example, "Click Here Now" or "Buy This Product" — will also be rejected.
If your legal name includes numbers or special characters (which is rare but does happen in some cultures), you can contact Facebook's support team and explain. They may make an exception, though this can take several days. In the meantime, you can use a version of your name without those characters.
How people find you after you change your name
When you change your name, your old name stays in Facebook's search index for a while. People who knew you by your previous name can still search for it and find your profile. Your profile URL (the web address) does not change when you change your name, so anyone with a direct link to your profile can still reach you.
If you want to make yourself harder to find, you can adjust your privacy settings to limit who can search for you by name. Go to Settings, then "Privacy," and change "Who can look you up using the email address you provided?" and "Who can look you up using the phone number you provided?" to "Friends" or "Only me."
Changing your name on Facebook does not change it elsewhere
Your Facebook name change affects only Facebook. It does not change your name on Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, or any other app or website. If you use the same account across multiple Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger), you will need to change your name separately on each one.
If you have a business page or creator account linked to your personal profile, changing your personal name does not automatically change the business page name. You will need to edit the business page separately through its own settings.
What to do if you cannot change your name
If you see an error message when you try to change your name, first check that your new name does not contain numbers, special characters, or repeated punctuation. Make sure you are not trying to change it more than once every 60 days. If both of those are fine, try logging out and logging back in, then try again.
If the problem continues, go to the Facebook Help Center, search for "name change," and click "Report a Problem." Describe what happens when you try to change your name and include a screenshot if you can. Facebook support will respond within a few days, though wait times can be longer during high-traffic periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes. Changing your name back counts as a name change, so you will need to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name today, you cannot change it back until 60 days from now. After that, you can set it to anything you want, including your previous name.
Will my friends get a notification when I change my name?
No. Your friends will not receive a notification that you changed your name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed. Some may not notice for a while.
Can I use a fake name or stage name on Facebook?
Yes, as long as it is a name you actually go by. Facebook allows stage names, nicknames, and names from different cultures. You cannot use a name that is purely made up or designed to trick people, and you cannot use numbers or special characters.
What if my name has a space, hyphen, or apostrophe in it?
Facebook accepts spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes in names. Examples: "Mary Jane Smith," "Jean-Pierre Dubois," "O'Brien." These are standard punctuation marks and will not be rejected.
Does changing my name on Facebook affect my privacy?
Changing your name does not automatically change your privacy settings. Your old name may still appear in search results for a while. If you want to limit who can find you, adjust your search privacy settings in Settings under "Privacy" after you change your name.