Change your name directly in the Facebook app settings

Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap it. Select Name, then type your new name in the field that appears. Tap Review Change to see how it will look, then tap Confirm to save it.

The change takes effect when ready on your profile. Your friends will see the new name right away in their feeds and on your profile page. Facebook stores a record of name changes, but only you and people you've blocked can see that history — it does not appear on your public profile.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name in the Facebook app.
  • The new name appears on your profile and in your friends' feeds as soon as you confirm the change.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days; if you try before that window closes, Facebook will tell you when you can change it again.
  • If Facebook blocks your change because the name violates community standards, you will see an error message explaining why.
  • Name changes made on the app sync to Facebook on desktop and other devices within minutes.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

Facebook has rules about what names are allowed. You cannot use numbers, symbols, or repeated characters (like "Jjjjj Smith"). You also cannot use all capital letters, fake titles, or words that look like they are trying to impersonate someone else. If your change is rejected, the app will show you which rule it broke.

If you believe your name was rejected by mistake — for example, if your real name includes a number or symbol — you can appeal. Tap the error message and look for an option to request a review. Facebook will ask you to upload a photo of your ID or other document that shows your legal name. This process takes a few days, and Facebook will notify you when they have made a decision.

The 60-day waiting period between name changes

After you change your name, you must wait 60 days before you can change it again. This limit applies whether you change it on the app, on desktop, or through any other method. If you try to change your name before the 60 days are up, the app will show you the exact date when you can make another change.

The 60-day timer resets each time you make a change. If you change your name on day one and then try again on day 50, you will have to wait another 60 days from day 50. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, even if you contact Facebook support.

Changing your name on the app versus the website

The steps are slightly different on the Facebook app than on the desktop website, but the result is the same. On the app, you go through Settings & Privacy. On desktop, you click the downward arrow at the top right, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings, and follow the same path to Personal Information. Both methods use the same 60-day rule and the same name restrictions.

If you change your name on one device, the change syncs to all your other devices within a few minutes. You do not need to make the change separately on your phone and your computer.

Why Facebook might show your old name to some people

After you change your name, a few people might still see your old name for a short time. This happens because Facebook's servers take a few minutes to update everywhere. Refresh the app or close it and open it again if you see your old name on your own profile. If someone else is seeing your old name, ask them to refresh their app or browser.

In rare cases, if you have a very old Facebook account or if you changed your name many times in a short period, the sync can take longer. This is not a problem — it will update on its own within a few hours.

What your name change means for your privacy and tags

Changing your name does not change your Facebook username or your profile URL. People who have your old profile link can still find you. Your username stays the same unless you change it separately through the same Settings menu. If you want a different username too, you can change that in the same Personal Information section, but usernames have their own rules and a different waiting period.

When you change your name, all old posts, photos, and comments still show your new name. People cannot see that you changed it unless they look at the name change history, which only appears if they click on your name and scroll to see past profile changes. Tags in photos and posts will also show your new name.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed name change

If you tap Confirm and nothing happens, or if the app crashes, force-close the Facebook app completely. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the app switcher, find Facebook, and swipe it away. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Force Stop. Then open the Facebook app again and check your name in Settings. The change usually went through even if the app did not show a success message.

If you see an error message that says something like "We could not process your request," try again in a few minutes. This usually means Facebook's servers are temporarily busy. If the error keeps happening after several tries, or if you see a message about your account being restricted, you may need to contact Facebook support through the app's Help Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name yesterday and want to change it back today, you cannot — you will have to wait 60 days. After that, you can change it to anything that follows Facebook's name rules.

What if someone else is using my real name on Facebook?

You can report their account to Facebook. Go to their profile, tap the three dots at the top right, and select Report. Choose It's pretending to be someone and follow the steps. Facebook will review the account, but they may not remove it if the person is actually using their real name, even if it matches yours.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook Messenger chats?

Your new name will appear in Messenger conversations, but only for chats that happen after the change. Old messages will still show your old name because they were sent under that name. People you message after the change will see your new name.

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my real name?

Facebook allows nicknames and stage names as long as they follow the name rules — no numbers, no all caps, no repeated characters, and nothing that looks like you are trying to impersonate someone. If Facebook rejects your stage name, you can appeal with a document that shows you use that name publicly, like a business license or published work.

What if I forgot when I last changed my name?

Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name. If you try to change it and you are still in the 60-day window, the app will tell you exactly when you can change it next. You can also look at your profile activity log to see when you made the last change.