Change your name in Facebook settings in under two minutes
Open Facebook on a computer or phone and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the down arrow in the top right on desktop). Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. Next to your name, click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided—Facebook splits this into first name and last name, though you can leave either blank if you prefer. Click Review change to see how it will appear, then Save changes.
Your new name appears on your profile and in comments, posts, and messages within minutes. Friends see the change when ready. Facebook does not send notifications about name changes, so your contacts will straightforward see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Edit next to your name.
- Facebook allows you to use any name you want, including nicknames, initials, or names in any language or alphabet.
- You can change your name as often as you want, but Facebook may temporarily block changes if you switch names very frequently in a short period.
- Your old name does not appear anywhere on your profile after the change—it is replaced completely.
- If you change your name back and forth repeatedly within a few days, Facebook may lock the name field for a period of time as a security measure.
What name format Facebook accepts
Facebook allows almost any text in your name field. You can use your legal name, a nickname, initials, a stage name, a business name, or any combination. You can include numbers, spaces, hyphens, apostrophes, and accented characters. Many people use names in languages other than English, and Facebook supports most alphabets and writing systems.
The only real restriction is that Facebook's system flags names that look like spam or impersonation—for example, a string of random characters or a name identical to a celebrity's with added numbers. If Facebook blocks your name change, you will see an error message explaining why. In that case, try a variation: add a middle initial, use a nickname instead, or include a descriptor like "real name" or your location.
Changing your name on mobile versus desktop
The steps are nearly identical on phone and computer, but the menu locations differ slightly. On iPhone or Android, open the Facebook app, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information, then tap next to your name to edit it. On desktop, click the down arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page, select Settings and privacy, then Settings, and find Personal information on the left sidebar.
Both routes take about the same time. Use whichever device you have in front of you—the change syncs across all devices within seconds.
When Facebook temporarily locks your name field
If you change your name multiple times in a short period—usually more than once every few days—Facebook may temporarily prevent further changes. This is a security measure to stop account takeovers or spam. The lock typically lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how many changes you made.
If you see a message saying you cannot change your name right now, wait a few days and try again. There is no way to unlock it faster. If you have a legitimate reason to change your name urgently (such as a legal name change), you can contact Facebook through the Help Center by going to Settings > Help and support > Report a problem, but response times are slow and Facebook rarely overrides the lock.
How your old name appears in Facebook's search and archives
Your old name does not show up in your profile, posts, or comments after you change it. However, Facebook's search function may still find your old name in its internal records for a period of time—usually a few weeks. This means if someone searches for your old name, they might still find your profile, but your profile itself will display only your new name.
Facebook does not publish a public record of name changes. Your friends cannot see a log of your previous names unless you tell them. If you are concerned about privacy, keep in mind that screenshots and third-party archives may have captured your old name before the change.
Changing your name after a legal name change
If you have legally changed your name through a court or government process, you can update Facebook the same way as any other name change. You do not need to upload legal documents or prove the change to Facebook—the platform does not verify legal names. straightforward go to Settings > Personal information and edit your name field.
If you want to update your name across other accounts (email, government services, banks), you will need to contact those organizations separately with your legal documents. Facebook does not coordinate with outside agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have spaces, hyphens, or special characters in my Facebook name?
Yes. Facebook accepts spaces, hyphens, apostrophes, periods, and accented characters. You can use names like "Mary-Jane Smith" or "José García" without any problem. Numbers are also allowed, though a name that is only numbers may be flagged as spam.
What happens to my old name in messages and comments I already posted?
Your new name appears on all your old posts and comments. The old name is not visible anywhere. If someone quoted your old name in their own post or comment, that quote stays as they wrote it, but your name on your own content updates automatically.
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes, you can change your name back at any time. However, if you change your name very frequently (more than once every few days), Facebook may lock your name field temporarily to prevent spam or account abuse. Wait a few days before trying again.
Does Facebook tell my friends when I change my name?
No. Facebook does not send notifications about name changes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity, but they are not alerted that a change happened.
What if Facebook says my name change is not allowed?
Facebook blocks names that appear to be spam, impersonation, or abuse. If you see an error, try a slight variation: add a middle initial, use a nickname, or include a descriptor. If the same name keeps getting blocked, contact Facebook's Help Center through Settings > Help and support > Report a problem, though response times are often slow.