The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Personal information, then Name. Type your new name in the field that appears, click Review change, and then Save changes. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm. Your new name appears on your profile when ready after you save.

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer, phone, or tablet. If you are using the Facebook app on a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) instead of the arrow, then follow the same path to Settings and privacy.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name on any device.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
  • Your new name appears when ready to your friends and the public once you save the change.
  • If you cannot find the name change option, your account may be too new — Facebook requires accounts to be at least a few days old before allowing name changes.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a stage name, or any combination Facebook accepts, as long as it follows their name standards.

Understanding Facebook's 60-day name change limit

Facebook restricts how often you can change your name to once every 60 days. This means if you changed your name on January 1st, you cannot change it again until March 1st (or 60 days later). The timer resets each time you make a change, so the next change window opens 60 days after your most recent save.

This limit exists to prevent account misuse and impersonation. If you need to change your name and the option is grayed out, you are still within the 60-day window. Facebook will tell you the exact date you can change it again if you hover over or tap the name field.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook has rules about what characters and formats are allowed in names. You can use letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use symbols like @, #, $, or %, and you cannot use all numbers or all special characters. Facebook also flags names that look like they are trying to impersonate someone else or that contain offensive language.

Your name must be between 1 and 50 characters long. If you are changing your name and Facebook rejects it, try removing extra spaces, unusual punctuation, or numbers that do not belong in a typical name. If you use a stage name, nickname, or name from another language, Facebook usually accepts it as long as it follows the character rules above.

Changing your name when your account is brand new

If you just created your Facebook account, you may not see the name change option yet. Facebook requires accounts to be at least a few days old before allowing name changes. This is a security measure to prevent spam accounts from being created and when ready renamed to impersonate real people.

If you made a typo when you first signed up, wait three to five days and try again. The name change option will appear in the same place (Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name) once your account is old enough. If you still cannot change it after a week, contact Facebook through the Help Center to ask about your specific account.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and from most places on Facebook where your name appears. Your friends will see your new name on your profile, in comments, in messages, and in their friend lists. The change is visible to everyone who can see your profile, including people who are not your friends.

Facebook does not keep a public record of your old names, but the company stores the change in your account history for security purposes. If someone reports your account for impersonation or fraud, Facebook can see that you changed your name and when. This history is private and only visible to Facebook staff if they investigate your account.

Changing your name back to what it was before

You can change your name back to a previous name, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name from "Sarah Johnson" to "Sarah Lee" on January 1st, you can change it back to "Sarah Johnson" on March 1st. The 60-day timer applies to every change, regardless of whether you are changing to a new name or reverting to an old one.

If you changed your name by mistake and want to undo it when ready, you cannot do so through the normal settings. Your only option is to wait until the 60-day window closes. If your account was hacked and someone changed your name without your permission, contact Facebook's support team through the Help Center and report the unauthorized change — they may be able to reset it sooner.

Changing your name on Facebook when you have a business page

If you manage a Facebook business page or creator page in addition to your personal profile, changing your personal name does not affect the page name. Your business page name is separate and has its own settings. To change a business page name, go to the page, click Settings in the top menu, select Page info, find Page name, and edit it there.

Business pages have different rules than personal profiles. Some business pages can change their name more frequently than once every 60 days, depending on the page category and history. If you are trying to change a business page name and it is blocked, check the Page info section for the specific reason and any restrictions that explore to your page type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name on my phone?

Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, type your new name, and save. The process is identical to changing it on a computer.

What if Facebook says my name change failed?

Facebook usually rejects a name change because it contains symbols it does not allow, looks like an impersonation attempt, or violates community standards. Try removing numbers, special characters, or extra spaces. If the rejection message is unclear, try a simpler version of the name you want. If it still fails, wait a day and try again, or contact Facebook's Help Center.

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

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes for all accounts. If you need to change your name and the option is blocked, you have to wait until the 60-day window closes. There is no way to bypass this limit through settings or customer support.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

Can I use a fake name on Facebook?

Facebook's rules say you should use the name you go by in everyday life, but the company does accept stage names, nicknames, and names from other languages. If you use a name that is clearly fake or designed to impersonate someone else, Facebook may disable your account. Use a name you actually go by, even if it is not your legal name.