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 the new version. Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready across your profile, posts, and comments. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on desktop and mobile.

Your Facebook name is separate from your username (the part that appears in your profile URL). Changing your name does not change your username, and you can update your name without touching your username at all.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name once every 60 days, and the new name appears everywhere on your profile within seconds.
  • Facebook requires you to use your authentic name — the one you go by in everyday life — rather than nicknames, symbols, or numbers alone.
  • The name change applies to your profile, all your posts, and all your comments across Facebook.
  • If you change your name back and forth repeatedly, Facebook may lock the name field and ask you to wait before trying again.

How to Change Your Name on Desktop

Open Facebook in your web browser and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal information.

Find the Name field and click the pencil icon next to it. Delete your current name and type your new name in the box. Click Review change to see how it will appear, then click Save changes. Your new name is now live on your profile.

How to Change Your Name on Mobile

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

Tap the Name field and edit it directly. Type your new name, then tap Review change to preview it. Tap Save changes when you are ready. The change takes effect when ready on your phone and across all devices.

What Names Facebook Will and Will Not Accept

Facebook requires your name to match what you use in everyday life — your legal name, a nickname you actually go by, or a name you are known by in your community. You cannot use symbols, numbers, repeated letters, or all capital letters. Names like "J0hn Sm1th" or "JOHN SMITH" will be rejected.

You also cannot use titles (Dr., Mr., Mrs.), email addresses, or business names as your Facebook name. If Facebook rejects your name, it will tell you why and let you try again. If you change your name back and forth multiple times in a short period, Facebook may temporarily lock the name field and ask you to wait before making another change.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Once you change your name, you must wait 60 days before changing it again. This limit applies whether you are changing to a completely different name or fixing a typo. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message saying when you can change it next.

The 60-day timer starts from the moment you save your change, not from when you click the edit button. If you make a mistake and realize it when ready, you still have to wait the full 60 days before you can fix it.

What Happens When You Change Your Name

Your new name appears on your profile, in your posts, in your comments, and in messages you send. People who follow you or are your friends will see the new name when they visit your profile or see your activity in their feed. Old posts you made under your previous name will show your new name when people view them.

Changing your name does not affect your friends list, your messages, your photos, or any other content on your account. It is purely a display change — everything else stays exactly the same. Your account ID and profile URL remain unchanged.

If Facebook Locks Your Name Field

If you change your name repeatedly in a short time, Facebook may lock the name field temporarily to prevent misuse. When this happens, you will see a message saying you cannot change your name right now and telling you when you can try again. This lock typically lasts a few days to a week.

You cannot remove this lock yourself — you have to wait until the time Facebook specifies. If you believe the lock is a mistake or has lasted longer than it should, you can report the issue to Facebook through the Help Center, but the fastest solution is straightforward to wait out the timer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name to something completely different from my real name?

No. Facebook requires your name to be something you actually use in real life. You can use a nickname, a shortened version of your name, or a name you go by in your community, but it has to be authentic to you. Completely fictional names will be rejected.

What if I change my mind right after changing my name?

You have to wait 60 days before you can change it again. There is no way to undo a name change when ready or skip the waiting period. If you made a typo, you are stuck with it until the 60 days pass.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or profile URL?

No. Your username and profile URL stay the same no matter what you do with your display name. If you want to change your username, that is a separate process in your settings.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will straightforward see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity in their feed.

Can I use special characters or symbols in my Facebook name?

No. Facebook only accepts letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Numbers, emojis, and other symbols will cause the name to be rejected.