The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device, go to the menu (three horizontal lines on mobile, the downward arrow on desktop), and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Personal information on the left side, then Name. Type your new name in the field that appears, click Review change, and confirm. The change takes effect when ready.

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you just changed it recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. The name you enter must follow Facebook's Name Policy—it should be the name you go by in everyday life, not a business name, character name, or string of numbers or symbols.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name on any device.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, so plan ahead if you need to change it again soon.
  • Your name must follow Facebook's Name Policy—it should be a real name you use in daily life, not a business name or nickname with numbers and symbols.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, the rejection message will explain why; common reasons are special characters, all caps, or names that look like spam.

What counts as a valid name on Facebook

Facebook's Name Policy requires that your name be something you actually go by. That means your legal name, a common nickname, or a combination—but not a business name, stage name, character name, or made-up phrase. For example, "Sarah Chen" or "Sam" would pass, but "Sarah's Bakery," "Elsa Frozen," or "S@r@h" would not.

Names with accents, hyphens, and apostrophes are allowed. Names with numbers, special characters (except hyphens and apostrophes), or all capital letters often trigger a rejection. If you have a name that includes a space in an unusual place or uses a character Facebook does not recognize, the system will ask you to revise it before you can save the change.

Why Facebook rejected your name change

If you see an error message when you try to save your new name, Facebook is flagging something that breaks its Name Policy. The most common reasons are: the name contains numbers or symbols (like @, &, or *); the name is all in capital letters; the name looks like a business or brand; or the name contains repeated characters that look like spam.

Read the rejection message carefully—it usually tells you what went wrong. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook made a mistake, you can appeal. Go back to the name change screen, and look for a link that says Learn more or Appeal. Facebook will ask you to provide proof (like a government ID or other document) that the name you entered is one you actually use.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit applies whether you change it yourself or Facebook reverts it because it violated the Name Policy. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, you will see a message saying when you can change it next.

If you made a typo or changed your mind, you have to wait. Plan your name change carefully so you do not waste your one change per 60 days on a mistake. If you are going through a legal name change, you might want to wait until your new legal documents are in hand before updating Facebook, so you do not have to change it twice.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are the same on iPhone, Android, and desktop, but the menu looks slightly different. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right (iPhone) or top right (Android), scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then Personal information, then Name. On desktop, click the downward arrow at the top right, select Settings and privacy, then Settings, and follow the same path.

The change syncs across all your devices within a few minutes. If you see your old name on one device but your new name on another, wait a few minutes and refresh the page. Facebook's servers sometimes take a moment to catch up.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and from most places on Facebook. People who search for your old name will not find you—they will only find you if they search your new name. However, Facebook keeps a record of past names in your account history for security and moderation purposes, though only you and Facebook can see this record.

Your friends will see your new name the next time they refresh their feed or visit your profile. Old messages and comments you wrote will still show your new name, not your old one. If you are trying to hide from someone, changing your name alone is not enough—you should also block them or adjust your privacy settings so they cannot find or contact you.

If you need to change your name more than once every 60 days

You cannot bypass the 60-day limit through any official Facebook feature. If you are in a situation where you need to change your name more urgently—for example, you are escaping a dangerous situation and need to hide your identity—contact Facebook's support team directly. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Help and support > Contact us, and explain your situation. Facebook has a process for safety-related exceptions, though there is no may provide they will grant one.

For most people, the 60-day rule is a reasonable safeguard. If you are changing your name for a legal reason (marriage, divorce, court order), you do not need to rush—you can change it on Facebook whenever you are ready, and the 60-day timer will not affect your legal documents or official records.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Only if it is a name you actually go by in everyday life. Facebook allows nicknames, but they must be something people know you as—not a character name or made-up phrase. If you use a stage name professionally and people genuinely call you that, you may be able to use it, but you might need to provide proof during an appeal.

What if my name has a special character or accent that Facebook will not accept?

Most accents (like é, ñ, ü) are allowed. If Facebook rejects your name, try removing special characters or using the closest English equivalent. If your name legitimately includes a character Facebook does not recognize, use the appeal process and provide a government ID showing that character in your legal name.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it anywhere else?

No. Changing your Facebook name does not change your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, or any other service. Each platform has its own name field. If you use a Facebook account to log into other apps, those apps will show your new Facebook name, but your accounts on other social media sites will keep their old names unless you change them separately.

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days. If you changed your name and want to revert to your old one, you can do that after the 60-day period ends. The old name is not reserved for you—if someone else took it in the meantime, you may not be able to use it again.

What if Facebook says my name violates their policy but I think it is legitimate?

Look for the Appeal or Learn more link in the rejection message. Click it and follow the instructions to submit proof—usually a photo of a government ID, passport, or other official document showing the name you are trying to use. Facebook will review your appeal and let you know if they approve the name.