Change Your Name in Three Steps

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, go to your profile, click the pencil icon next to your name, type your new name, and click the Review Change button. Facebook will ask you to confirm the change and may show it to your friends. The whole process takes less than a minute, and you can change your name again after 60 days.

Your Facebook name does not have to match your legal name, but Facebook does check that you are using a real name — not a business name, nickname, or string of numbers. If you use a name that looks fake, Facebook may ask you to change it back or provide ID to prove it is real.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name from your profile settings in about one minute, and the change shows to your friends right away.
  • Facebook requires you to wait 60 days between name changes, so choose carefully if you just changed it.
  • Your name must look like a real name — Facebook blocks names that are all numbers, symbols, or obvious business names.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, you can appeal by uploading an ID that matches the name you want to use.
  • Changing your name on Facebook does not change your username (the part after facebook.com/), which stays the same unless you change it separately.

Where to Find the Name Change Option

On Facebook's website, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information, then Name. You will see your current name with a pencil icon next to it — click the pencil to edit.

On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the Personal Information section and tap Name. The pencil icon appears next to your current name — tap it to make your change.

What Names Facebook Will and Will Not Accept

Facebook checks your name against its real-name policy. Your name should contain only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Names like "John Smith," "María García," "Jean-Paul Dupont," and "O'Brien" all pass. Names that fail include "123john," "john_smith," "JOHN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY," and "xXjohnXx."

If your real name contains numbers or symbols (like a hyphenated first name that looks unusual), Facebook may still reject it. In that case, you can appeal by uploading a photo of your ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card — that shows the name you want to use. Upload the ID through the same settings page where you tried to change your name. Facebook reviews the ID and usually responds within a few days.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule applies even if you made a typo or changed your mind. If you need to change it sooner, you have no way around the waiting period — Facebook does not offer exceptions.

Before you click Review Change, read your new name out loud and check the spelling. Make sure the capitalization is what you want (Facebook keeps the capitalization you type). Once you confirm, you are locked in for two months.

How Your Name Change Appears to Others

When you change your name, Facebook shows the change to your friends in their News Feed. The notification says something like "[Your Old Name] is now known as [Your New Name]." Your name also updates on your profile, in comments you have made, and in messages you have sent — but old posts and comments still show your old name at the time they were posted.

If you change your name back within 60 days (once the waiting period ends), Facebook will not send another notification to your friends. The change is silent.

Your Username Is Separate From Your Name

Your Facebook name and your username are two different things. Your name is what appears on your profile and in comments. Your username is the custom URL — the part after facebook.com/ that you can share with people. Changing your name does not change your username.

If you want to change your username too, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Username. You can change your username once every 60 days. Unlike your name, your username can contain periods and numbers (like john.smith.2024), and Facebook does not check it against the real-name policy.

What to Do If Facebook Rejects Your Name Change

If you see a message saying your name does not follow Facebook's naming rules, the most common reasons are: the name contains numbers or symbols, it looks like a business name, or it appears to be a fake name. Read the error message — it usually tells you what the problem is.

If you believe your name is real and should be allowed, tap or click the appeal link in the error message. You will be asked to upload a photo of your ID. Take a clear photo of the front of your driver's license, passport, or state ID card so that the name and photo are both visible. Upload it and wait for Facebook to review it. Most appeals are reviewed within a few days. If Facebook approves your appeal, you can use the name you wanted. If it denies the appeal, you will need to choose a different name that follows the rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days after your last name change. Once the 60 days are up, go back to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name and type your old name. Facebook treats it like any other name change.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it anywhere else?

No. Changing your name on Facebook only affects your Facebook profile and activity. It does not change your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, your email, or any other service. If you use the same account to log into other apps, your name on those apps stays the same unless you change it separately in each one.

What if I use a nickname and Facebook says it is not real?

Facebook's policy requires a real name, not a nickname or stage name. If you want to use a nickname, you can try adding it in a different way — for example, "John 'Jack' Smith" — but Facebook may still reject it. Your safest option is to use your legal first and last name, or a name that appears on your ID.

Can I have two names on Facebook at the same time?

No. Facebook allows only one name per account. If you need a separate identity for work or a business, you would need to create a separate Facebook account or use a Facebook Page instead of a personal profile.

How long does it take for my name change to show up?

Your name change appears right away on your profile and in your activity. Your friends see the notification in their News Feed within a few minutes. There is no delay.