Change Your Facebook Name in Three Steps

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, and select Name. Type your new name in both the first and last name fields, then tap or click Review Change and confirm. The change takes effect when ready, though Facebook may limit how often you can change it — typically once every 60 days.

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a phone, tablet, or computer. Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, and in messages right away. People who know you under your old name can still find you through your username or profile URL, which does not change.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook lets you change your name through Settings > Personal Information > Name, and the change shows up when ready across your profile and posts.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a professional name, or any combination Facebook accepts — it does not have to match your government ID.
  • Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to change it again soon.
  • Your username and profile URL stay the same when you change your name, so people can still find you the same way.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it usually means the name violates their policies — numbers, symbols, or repeated characters often trigger a rejection.

What Names Facebook Will and Will Not Accept

Facebook accepts most real names, nicknames, and professional names. You can use letters from any language, accents, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use numbers, emojis, symbols (like @ or &), or repeated characters (like "Jooohn" or "M@@ria"). Facebook also rejects names that look like usernames, email addresses, or that contain words the platform flags as offensive.

Your Facebook name does not have to match your government ID, passport, or any official document. If you go by a nickname, stage name, or name from a different culture, Facebook accepts it. If the platform rejects your chosen name, try removing numbers or symbols, or shorten it — for example, "Mary-Jane" works but "Mary-Jane123" does not.

Where to Find the Name Setting on Different Devices

On iPhone or Android: Open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the bottom right corner, scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to Personal Information and tap Name. Type your new first and last name, tap Review Change, and confirm.

On a computer or tablet browser: Go to facebook.com, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information, then click next to Name. Type your new name and click Review Change, then confirm.

If you cannot find the menu icon or settings option, make sure you are logged in. If you are logged out, Facebook will ask you to log in before you can change anything. If the name field is grayed out or locked, you may have changed your name recently and need to wait until the 60-day window passes.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. This means if you changed your name on January 1st, you cannot change it again until around March 1st. The timer starts from the date you confirmed your last change, not from when you started the process.

If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show a message telling you when you can change it next. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception. If you made a typo or need to fix your name urgently, you will have to wait until the window opens. Plan your name changes carefully so you do not waste your one change per 60 days on a mistake.

What Happens When Facebook Rejects Your Name

If you see an error message when you try to save your new name, Facebook is flagging it as against their policies. The most common reasons are numbers in the name (like "John2024"), symbols or special characters (like "J@hn" or "John&Mary"), repeated letters (like "Joooohn"), or words the platform considers offensive or spam-like.

To fix a rejected name, remove numbers and symbols, use standard punctuation only (hyphens and apostrophes are fine), and spell out words normally. If Facebook still rejects it, try a shorter version or a different spelling. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is blocking it by mistake, you can report the issue through the help center, though Facebook rarely overrides the automated system.

How Your Old Name Appears to Other People

When you change your name, everyone sees your new name when ready on your profile, in your posts, and in comments. People who tagged you in old photos will see your new name next to those photos. Your old name does not appear anywhere on your profile after the change.

However, people who knew you under your old name can still find you through your username (the handle that comes after facebook.com/), through a direct link to your profile, or by searching for your new name. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends telling them you changed your name, so some people may not notice right away. If you want to let people know, you can post about it or message close friends directly.

Changing Your Name Back or Fixing a Mistake

If you changed your name and want to change it back, you have to wait 60 days from your last change before you can do it. This applies even if you made a typo or changed your mind when ready. The only exception is if Facebook made an error on their end — in that case, you can contact Facebook support through the help center and explain the situation, though they rarely override the 60-day rule.

To avoid this problem, double-check your spelling before you tap or click Review Change. Make sure both your first and last name fields are filled in correctly, and that you have not accidentally added numbers or symbols. Once you confirm the change, it is locked in for 60 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fake name or nickname on Facebook?

Yes. Facebook accepts nicknames, stage names, and names that do not match your legal ID. The name just has to follow Facebook's format rules — no numbers, symbols, or repeated characters. Many people use professional names, shortened versions of their real names, or names from different cultures without any problem.

Will my friends get notified when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. Your new name appears on your profile and in your posts right away, but people have to see it themselves. If you want them to know, you can post about it or message them directly.

What if I changed my name by mistake and want to change it back when ready?

You have to wait 60 days before you can change your name again, even if you made a typo. There is no way to speed this up. Before you confirm a name change, always double-check the spelling in both the first and last name fields.

Can I have a space in my name on Facebook?

Yes. Spaces between words are fine — for example, "Mary Jane" or "Jean Pierre" work. Hyphens and apostrophes also work, like "Mary-Jane" or "O'Brien". Numbers and symbols do not work.

Does changing my name affect my username or profile URL?

No. Your username and profile URL stay exactly the same when you change your name. If your profile URL is facebook.com/john.smith, it will still be facebook.com/john.smith even if you change your display name to "Johnny Smith" or anything else. People can still find you using the old URL.