The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to your profile. Click the pencil icon next to your name at the top of your profile, or tap the three dots menu and select "Edit profile." You'll see a field labeled "Name" — click or tap it, type your new name, and click "Review Change." Facebook will show you how your new name will appear, then ask you to confirm. The change takes effect when ready.

On a phone, the steps are the same: tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner, tap the three horizontal lines, scroll to "Settings & privacy," then "Settings," then "Personal information," then "Name." Type your new name and tap "Review Change."

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you've already changed it recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. There's no way to speed this up — the 60-day window is fixed.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name directly from your profile using the pencil icon or the three-dot menu, and it takes effect when ready.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, which you cannot bypass.
  • Your new name must follow Facebook's naming rules: it should be the name you go by in everyday life, not a business name, character name, or string of numbers.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, the most common reason is that it doesn't match the naming policy — you can appeal the decision or wait and try again.
  • Changing your name on Facebook does not change your username (the part after facebook.com/), which is separate and has its own change rules.

What names Facebook will and won't accept

Facebook has specific rules about what counts as a valid name. Your name should be what you actually go by in real life — your legal name, a nickname you use regularly, or a combination. Facebook will reject names that are clearly fake: character names from movies or games, business names, random numbers or symbols, or names written in all capital letters.

The platform also rejects names that include titles (like "Dr." or "Professor"), multiple middle names stacked together, or names with excessive punctuation. If you use a name that's genuinely unusual or from a non-English language, Facebook may flag it for review, but you can usually appeal and explain that it's your real name.

One common mistake: using your username instead of your actual name. Your Facebook username (the part after facebook.com/) is separate from your display name. You can have a username like "john.smith.1234" while your display name is "John Smith."

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

If you try to change your name and Facebook says it violates the naming policy, you'll see a message explaining why. The most common reasons are that the name looks fake, contains numbers or symbols that don't belong, or doesn't match Facebook's guidelines for what a real name looks like.

You have two options: you can appeal the decision right away by clicking "Appeal" and explaining that this is your real name, or you can wait a few days and try again with a slightly different version. If you appeal, Facebook reviews your request and usually responds within a few days. If you're using a legitimate name that just doesn't fit their format, explain that in the appeal — for example, if your name genuinely includes a number or unusual character.

If your appeal is denied, you'll have to wait before trying again. There's no set waiting period for resubmitting after a rejection, but most people wait at least a week.

Changing your username versus your display name

Your display name is what appears at the top of your profile and in comments — this is what you change using the pencil icon. Your username is the custom URL for your profile (facebook.com/yourname). They're separate, and changing one doesn't change the other.

If you want to change your username instead, go to your profile, click the pencil icon next to your name, and look for "Username" below the name field. You can change your username once every 60 days, just like your display name. Usernames can include periods and numbers, and they're more flexible than display names — you can use "john.smith.1234" as a username even though Facebook wouldn't accept it as a display name.

Many people keep their username the same for years so their profile link stays consistent, while changing their display name more often. That's a reasonable approach if you want people to find you by the same URL.

Why you might want to change your name on Facebook

People change their Facebook names for many reasons: after marriage or divorce, to use a nickname instead of a legal name, to correct a misspelling from when they first signed up, or to match a name change they've made legally. Facebook allows all of these, as long as the new name is something you actually go by.

If you've changed your legal name officially (through a court order or government process), you can use that new name on Facebook. You don't need to show Facebook legal documents — just use the name you go by now. If you're in the middle of a legal name change and want to update Facebook before the paperwork is final, you can do that too.

What doesn't change when you change your name

Your Facebook account, friends list, messages, and posts all stay exactly the same. Your old comments and posts will show your new name, not your old one. People who have you as a friend will see your new name in their friends list and in notifications.

Your profile URL (username) does not change unless you change it separately. Your account ID, which Facebook uses behind the scenes, never changes. If someone has you bookmarked or saved a link to your profile, that link will still work and will show your new name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes. You cannot bypass this, and there is no way to request an exception. If you've recently changed your name, you'll see the date when you can change it again.

What if I want to use a nickname instead of my legal name?

You can. Facebook allows nicknames as long as they're something you actually go by in real life. If your nickname is what people call you regularly, it will pass the naming policy. Just make sure it doesn't look like a fake name — "Bob" is fine, but "xXBobXx" probably won't be.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it anywhere else?

No. Changing your name on Facebook only affects your Facebook profile. It doesn't change your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, or any other platform. Each service has its own name settings.

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

Yes, but you'll have to wait 60 days after your last change. If you changed your name and want to revert, you can do that once the 60-day window opens, and it counts as a new name change.

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

You can report the account to Facebook, but you can't force them to change their name. If the account is impersonating you or using your name to deceive others, report it through Facebook's reporting tools. Facebook will review it, but they can't force someone to change their name just because you share the same one.