Change your name in Facebook settings in under two minutes

To change the name on your Facebook account, open Facebook on any device, go to the menu in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Personal information on the left side, find Name, and click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new name in the fields provided, then click Review change and Save changes. The new name appears on your profile when ready.

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it more often, the system will tell you when you can change it again. You can use your real name, a nickname, a professional name, or any combination — Facebook does not require you to use your legal name, though some features (like certain business tools) may ask for legal identification separately.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, so you cannot change it again until that time has passed.
  • You can use any name you want — a nickname, stage name, or initials — and do not need to match your legal name unless you are setting up a business account.
  • If Facebook blocks your name change and says it violates community standards, you can appeal the decision through the same settings menu.

Step-by-step instructions for desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and log in if you are not already signed in. Look at the top right corner of the page — you will see a small downward-pointing arrow or your profile picture. Click it to open a dropdown menu.

From the dropdown, select Settings and privacy, then click Settings in the submenu that appears. On the left side of the screen, you will see a list of options. Click Personal information. You will now see a section labeled Name with your current name displayed. Click the pencil icon (edit button) next to your name.

A box will open with two fields: First name and Last name. Clear the existing text and type your new name. You can put your entire name in the first field and leave the last name blank, or split it however you prefer. When you are done typing, click the blue Review change button.

Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear on your profile. If it looks correct, click Save changes. Your new name is now live on your account. Anyone who visits your profile will see the updated name when ready.

How to change your name on mobile (iPhone or Android)

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to find Personal information and tap it.

Tap Name to open the editing screen. Delete your current name and type your new one in the fields provided. Tap Review change when you are finished. Check the preview to make sure it looks right, then tap Save changes. Your new name will appear on your profile right away.

What happens if Facebook blocks your name change

If you see a message saying your name violates Facebook's community standards, it usually means the name contains symbols, numbers, or characters that Facebook's system flagged as unusual. Common reasons include excessive punctuation, numbers in the middle of words, or characters from multiple languages mixed together in a way the system does not recognize.

To fix this, try using only letters and standard punctuation (hyphens, apostrophes, spaces). If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is blocking it by mistake, click Let us know or Appeal (the exact wording varies). Facebook will review your appeal, usually within a few days, and either restore your ability to use that name or explain why it cannot be used.

Understanding the 60-day waiting period

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This timer starts the moment you save your change, not when you first tried to change it. If you make a typo and realize it when ready, you have already used your one change for the next 60 days — Facebook does not offer exceptions for mistakes.

If you need to change your name before 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you exactly when you can change it next. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception. Plan your name change carefully, and double-check the spelling before you click save.

Using a nickname or stage name instead of your legal name

Facebook does not require you to use your legal name on your personal profile. You can use a nickname, stage name, pen name, or any other name you go by. This is useful if you are a performer, writer, or artist and want to use a professional name, or if you straightforward prefer a nickname.

However, if you later set up a Facebook business page, a shop, or certain monetization features, Facebook may ask you to verify your legal name through a government ID. Your profile name and your legal name do not have to match — the verification is separate. You can keep your nickname on your profile and provide your legal name only when Facebook specifically asks for it.

What your old name looks like to other people

When you change your name, everyone on Facebook sees the new name when ready. Your old name does not appear anywhere on your profile or in search results. However, if someone was in a conversation with you before the change, they may see your old name in the message history — Facebook does not update old messages retroactively.

Your name change also does not affect your username (the part that comes after facebook.com/ in your profile URL). If you want to change your username as well, that is a separate process done through the same Settings menu, but usernames can only be changed once and are permanent after that.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes. You cannot change your name again until that time has passed, and there is no way to request an exception or speed up the process. Plan your name change carefully before you save it.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

No, Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends 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 special characters or emojis in my Facebook name?

Facebook blocks most special characters, numbers, and emojis in names. Stick to letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. If you try to use other characters, Facebook will reject the change and explain which characters are not allowed.

What if I forgot what my old name was after changing it?

Facebook does not show you a history of past names. Once you change your name, the old one is not visible in your settings. If you need to remember it for some reason, check with friends or look at old messages or photos where your name might be tagged.

Do I need to change my password when I change my name?

No. Changing your name does not affect your password, login information, or security settings. Your password stays the same, and you log in the same way you always have.