How to change your name on Facebook
You can change the name on your Facebook profile by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, and clicking next to your name to edit it. Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days. The new name will appear on your profile, posts, and comments within a few minutes, though it may take longer for the change to show everywhere across the platform.
Your name on Facebook doesn't have to match your legal name, but Facebook does require that you use the name you go by in everyday life — not a business name, character name, or string of numbers and symbols. If you've already changed your name recently, you'll need to wait until the 60-day window has passed before you can change it again.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Facebook name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information, and the change takes effect within minutes.
- Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, so plan ahead if you need to update it multiple times.
- Your name doesn't have to be your legal name, but it must be a name you actually use in real life, not a nickname, business name, or made-up string.
- If Facebook rejects your name change, it's usually because the name violates their community standards — you can appeal the decision or try a different version of your name.
Step-by-step: changing your name on desktop
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. Next to your name, click the pencil icon to edit.
Type your new name in the field that appears. You can change your first name, middle name, last name, or any combination. Click Review Change to see how it will look. If it looks right, click Save Changes. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm — this is a security step to make sure it's really you making the change.
Changing your name on mobile (iPhone or Android)
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information. Next to your name, tap the pencil icon.
Type your new name and tap Review Change. Once you've confirmed it looks correct, tap Save Changes and enter your password when prompted. The change will sync across all your devices within a few minutes.
What names Facebook will and won't accept
Facebook requires that your name be something you actually use in everyday life. This means you can use nicknames, middle names, maiden names, or names from a different culture or language — as long as it's a real name you go by. You cannot use a business name, brand name, character name, or a string of numbers, symbols, or special characters.
Common rejections happen when people try to use titles (like "Dr." or "Mr."), emojis, multiple spaces, or names that look like they're trying to game the system. If Facebook rejects your name change, you'll see a message explaining why. You can appeal the decision by clicking the link in the rejection notice, or you can try a slightly different version of the name — for example, using your full middle name instead of an initial.
The 60-day waiting period explained
Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This timer starts from the moment you save the change, not from when you first tried to make it. If you made a typo or changed your mind, you're stuck with it for two months unless Facebook makes an exception.
The only way around this is to contact Facebook directly and explain that the change was a mistake — for example, if you accidentally typed the wrong spelling. Go to the Help Center, search for "name change," and look for the option to report a problem. Facebook sometimes waives the 60-day rule in cases of genuine error, but there's no may provide.
If Facebook rejects or blocks your name change
If you see an error message when you try to save your new name, Facebook is telling you the name violates its community standards. The most common reasons are that the name contains symbols, numbers, or special characters; looks like a fake or spam account; or includes titles or business names.
Click the link in the rejection message to appeal. Explain that this is your real name and provide any context Facebook needs — for example, if your name includes an apostrophe or hyphen that the system flagged. You can also try removing the problematic character or element and submit a different version. If your appeal is denied, you can try again after 30 days.
What happens to your old name after you change it
Your old name disappears from your profile when ready. Posts and comments you made under your old name will now show your new name instead. People who were tagged in photos with you will see your new name going forward. Your old name is not publicly visible anywhere on your profile.
However, Facebook's internal systems keep a record of your name history for security and fraud prevention. If you change your name back and forth repeatedly, Facebook may flag your account as suspicious and temporarily lock you out of making further changes. This is another reason to think carefully before changing your name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Facebook name more than once?
Yes, but only once every 60 days. If you need to change it again before that window closes, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center and explain that the previous change was a mistake. They may waive the waiting period, but it's not may provide.
Will my friends see a notification when I change my name?
No, Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, they will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed. Some people may not notice for a while.
Can I use a fake name or nickname on Facebook?
You can use a nickname as long as it's a name you actually go by in real life. You cannot use a completely made-up name, a character name, or a business name. Facebook's system is designed to catch accounts that look fake, so stick with names you genuinely use.
What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?
You can change your name back, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name and when ready regretted it, contact Facebook's Help Center right away and explain it was a mistake — they may reverse it without counting against your 60-day limit.
Does changing my Facebook name affect my email or password?
No. Your email address and password stay the same no matter what name you use on your profile. You log in with your email and password, not your display name, so changing your name has no effect on account security or how you sign in.