Change your Facebook name directly in the mobile app in under two minutes
Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and tap Personal Information, then Name. Type your new name in the field that appears, then tap Review Change. Facebook will show you how your name will appear to others. Tap Save Changes at the bottom. Your new name takes effect when ready.
Facebook limits how often you can change your name — typically once every 60 days. If you changed your name recently and the option is greyed out, you will need to wait until the 60-day window closes. The name you enter must follow Facebook's naming rules: it should be the name you use in everyday life, not a business name, string of numbers, or special characters.
Key Takeaways
- Tap the menu icon, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name to reach the name change screen.
- Facebook shows you a preview of how your new name will look before you save it, so you can catch typos or spacing errors.
- You can change your name once every 60 days; if the option is locked, you must wait until the window expires.
- Your new name appears to all your friends and followers when ready once you save the change.
What happens to your old name and tagged photos
When you change your name, your old name disappears from your profile and from new posts you make. However, photos and posts you made under your old name do not automatically update — they still show the old name as the author. Friends who tagged you in photos before the change will see your new name on those photos going forward.
If you search for your old name on Facebook, your profile will not appear in the results. Only your current name is searchable. This means people looking for you by your previous name will have a harder time finding you unless they already have your profile saved or bookmarked.
If the name change option is greyed out or locked
Facebook locks the name change feature for 60 days after your last change. If you see the option but it is greyed out, you are still within that window. Check the message on the screen — it will tell you the exact date you can change your name again.
If the option does not appear at all, your account may have violated Facebook's naming policy. Names with numbers, symbols, or text that looks like a business name can trigger a review. If this happens, tap Learn More on the Personal Information screen to see Facebook's naming guidelines. You can resubmit a name that follows the rules, and Facebook will review it within a few days.
Changing your name on Instagram if you use the same account
If you use Facebook to log into Instagram, changing your Facebook name does not automatically change your Instagram username or display name. Your Instagram display name (the name that shows on your profile) is separate from your username (the handle people use to tag you).
To change your Instagram display name, open Instagram, tap your profile icon, tap Edit Profile, and change the name field at the top. This change is independent of your Facebook name, so you can have different names on each platform if you want.
Reverting to a previous name
If you change your name and then want to go back to your old name, you can do so — but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. Open the name change screen the same way (Menu > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name) and type your previous name. Facebook will let you change back as long as the 60-day window has passed since your last change.
There is no separate "undo" button or way to bypass the 60-day rule, even if you are reverting to a name you used before. Plan your name changes accordingly if you think you might want to switch back.
Troubleshooting: name change did not save
If you tapped Save Changes but your name did not update, close the Facebook app completely and reopen it. Sometimes the app does not refresh the profile screen right away. Pull down from the top of your screen to refresh manually, or wait a few minutes and check again.
If the name still has not changed after 10 minutes, check your internet connection. A weak or dropped connection can prevent the change from going through. Switch to a stronger Wi-Fi network or move closer to your router, then try again. If you still see an error message, take a screenshot of it and contact Facebook through the app by tapping Menu > Help & Support > Report a Problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name to something with numbers or symbols?
No. Facebook requires names to match what you use in everyday life. Numbers, special characters, and symbols are not allowed. If you try to save a name with these characters, Facebook will reject it and ask you to use letters only.
Will my friends be notified when I change my name?
Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, they may notice the change if they visit your profile or see you in their friends list. Your name change appears in your activity log, which some friends may see depending on your privacy settings.
How long does it take for the name change to show up everywhere?
Your new name appears on your profile and in new posts when ready. However, it can take a few hours to update everywhere on Facebook — in search results, in comments, and in other people's friend lists. If you do not see it updated after an hour, refresh the app.
Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?
No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes to prevent spam and abuse. You cannot bypass this limit, even if you contact Facebook support. You must wait until the window expires before making another change.
What if Facebook says my name violates its naming policy?
This usually means your name contains numbers, symbols, or looks like a business or page name. Remove any numbers or special characters and try again with letters only. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, tap Learn More on the Personal Information screen to submit an appeal.