Change Your Facebook Name in Three Steps

You can change the name that appears on your Facebook profile by going to your settings, finding the name field, and saving a new one. Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready across your profile, posts, and comments. The process takes less than two minutes.

Your Facebook name is separate from your login email or password — changing your name does not affect how you sign in. You can change it back and forth as often as the 60-day rule allows, and Facebook does not require you to use your legal name, though the platform does ask that you use the name you go by in everyday life.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Facebook settings, click "Personal Information," then "Name," type your new name, and click "Review Change" to save it.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, so you cannot change your name again until 60 days have passed.
  • Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, on posts you share, and in tags — anywhere your old name appeared.
  • If Facebook rejects your name as violating community standards, you will see an error message; you can try a different name or contact Facebook support.
  • Changing your name does not log you out, change your password, or affect your login email.

How to Access the Name Change Field

Start by opening Facebook on a computer or the mobile app. In the top right corner, tap or click the downward arrow (on mobile, this is the three horizontal lines). Scroll down and select "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings."

Once in Settings, look for the "Personal Information" section on the left side of the screen (on mobile, scroll down to find it). Click or tap "Personal Information," then find the row labeled "Name." Click the pencil icon next to it to open the name field for editing.

Entering and Saving Your New Name

The name field will show your current first and last name in separate boxes. Clear the first name box and type your new first name. If you want to change your last name as well, clear that box and enter the new last name. You can also add a middle name if you want — Facebook has a separate field for it.

After you type your new name, click the "Review Change" button. Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear. If it looks correct, click "Save Changes." If you made a mistake, click "Cancel" and start over. Your new name takes effect when ready and will appear everywhere on your profile.

Understanding the 60-Day Waiting Period

Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days. This means if you changed your name today, you cannot change it again for 60 days. The timer starts from the date you saved your most recent change, not from when you started the process.

If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message saying you must wait until a specific date. You can still view your profile and use Facebook normally — you just cannot edit the name field until the waiting period ends. There is no way to speed up this timer or request an exception.

What Happens When Facebook Rejects Your Name

Facebook reviews names to make sure they follow community standards. The platform rejects names that contain numbers, symbols, repeated letters, or words it flags as offensive or impersonating. If your name is rejected, you will see an error message instead of a confirmation screen.

If this happens, try a different version of the name you want. For example, if "J0hn" is rejected because it contains a number, try "John" instead. If you believe Facebook rejected your name by mistake, you can click "Get Help" in the error message to contact Facebook support and explain your situation. Support can take several days to respond.

How Your Name Change Appears Across Facebook

Your new name shows up on your profile page, in the comments you post, on any posts you share, and in tags where you are mentioned. Friends will see your new name in their news feed when you post or comment. Old posts you made under your previous name will still show your old name on those individual posts — Facebook does not retroactively change the name on past content.

When you send a message to someone, they will see your new name in the conversation. If someone has saved your contact information in their phone or messenger, they may still see your old name there until they refresh the conversation or update their contacts manually.

Changing Your Name Back or Making Another Change

If you want to change your name again after 60 days have passed, follow the same steps: go to Settings, Personal Information, Name, and click the pencil icon. You can change your name back to your original name, switch to a completely different name, or make any other change you want — as long as it follows Facebook's naming rules.

Keep track of when you made your last change so you know when the 60-day window closes. Facebook does not send a reminder when you become able to change your name again, so you will need to check manually or remember the date yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my name log me out of Facebook?

No. Changing your name does not affect your login, password, or email address. You will stay logged in and can continue using Facebook when ready after saving your new name.

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

Yes. Facebook does not require your legal name — you can use any nickname, stage name, or name you go by in everyday life. Facebook just asks that you do not use numbers, symbols, or names designed to impersonate someone else.

What if I change my name and then want to change it again the next day?

You cannot. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between changes. If you change your name today, you must wait 60 days before you can change it again, even if you want to change it back to your original name.

Does changing my name on Facebook change my name anywhere else?

No. Your Facebook name is separate from your legal name, your email address, and your name on other websites or apps. Changing it on Facebook does not affect your accounts elsewhere.

What should I do if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

Try a different version of the name without numbers, symbols, or repeated letters. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, click "Get Help" in the error message to contact Facebook support. They can review your name and may overturn the decision if it does not actually violate their rules.