You can change a Facebook group name from the group settings menu, and it takes about two minutes

To change your Facebook group name, open the group, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right, select Edit group settings, find the name field, type the new name, and click Save changes. The new name appears when ready to all members. You can change it as many times as you want, and there is no limit on how often you do this.

The process is the same whether you are using Facebook on a computer or the mobile app. The only requirement is that you must be a group admin — regular members cannot change the group name, even if the group is public.

Key Takeaways

  • Only group admins can change the group name; members cannot do this even in public groups.
  • The change takes effect when ready and all members see the new name right away.
  • You can change the name as many times as you want with no restrictions or waiting period.
  • Facebook does not require you to notify members before changing the name, but telling them first prevents confusion.

Step-by-step instructions on a computer

Open Facebook and navigate to your group. In the top right corner of the group header, you will see three horizontal dots (sometimes called a menu icon). Click that icon and a dropdown menu appears.

From the dropdown, select Edit group settings. This opens a panel on the right side of the screen. At the top of this panel, you will see a field labeled Group name with your current name already filled in. Click inside that field, delete the old name, and type the new one.

Once you have entered the new name, scroll down slightly and click the Save changes button at the bottom of the panel. Facebook updates the name when ready. The panel closes and you are back at the group page, where the new name now appears in the header and everywhere else the group name is shown.

Step-by-step instructions on the Facebook mobile app

Open the Facebook app and go to your group. At the top of the screen, tap the three-dot menu icon (it may appear as three vertical dots instead of horizontal ones, depending on your phone). A menu slides up from the bottom of the screen.

Tap Edit group settings. The settings screen opens. Scroll to the top and tap the Group name field. The keyboard appears. Delete the current name and type the new one. Tap outside the field or tap the back arrow to close the keyboard.

Scroll down and tap Save or Done (the button label varies slightly by phone and app version). The new name takes effect when ready and appears across the group.

What happens when you change the group name

The new name appears when ready to all members in their group list, in notifications, and anywhere else the group name shows. Members do not receive a separate notification that the name changed — they straightforward see the new name the next time they visit the group or check their group list.

The group's URL (web address) does not change when you rename the group. If members have bookmarked the old URL or shared a link to the group, those links still work and take them to the group with the new name. The group's ID number stays the same, so all the group's history, posts, and member list remain exactly as they were.

Reasons to tell members before you change the name

While Facebook does not require you to announce a name change, members may be confused if they see a different name without warning. If your group has been known by the old name for a long time, or if the new name is very different, a quick post or announcement prevents people from thinking they have joined the wrong group.

If you are renaming the group to reflect a change in purpose or focus, telling members why helps them understand the shift. For example, if a group called "Downtown Book Club" becomes "Downtown Community Events," members appreciate knowing that the group is expanding beyond books.

Rules and limits on group names

Facebook does not allow group names that impersonate real people, organizations, or government agencies. You also cannot use names that are primarily numbers, or names that are blank or contain only spaces. Beyond those restrictions, you have freedom to choose any name you want.

There is no character limit on how long a group name can be, though very long names may not display fully on mobile screens. There is also no waiting period between name changes — you can change the name back and forth as often as you need to.

What to do if you cannot find the edit settings option

If you do not see Edit group settings in the menu, you are likely not an admin of the group. Only admins can change the group name. If you think you should be an admin, ask the group owner or another admin to promote you to admin status.

If you are certain you are an admin but the option still does not appear, try logging out of Facebook and logging back in. Sometimes the app or browser does not refresh permissions when ready. If the problem persists after logging back in, try using a different browser or the mobile app instead of the desktop version, or vice versa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can members see who changed the group name?

No. Facebook does not show a log of who made changes to group settings or when they were made. Members straightforward see the new name without any record of the change or who made it.

What if I change the group name by accident?

You can change it back when ready by following the same steps. There is no undo button, but since you can rename the group as many times as you want, you can straightforward go back into settings and restore the old name.

Does changing the group name affect the group's privacy settings?

No. The name change does not affect whether the group is public, closed, or secret. Privacy settings stay exactly as they were before the rename.

Can I use special characters or emojis in the group name?

Yes. Facebook allows most special characters and emojis in group names. However, names that are only symbols or emojis with no letters may be rejected. Test your name by trying to save it — Facebook will tell you if it violates any rules.

If I change the group name, do old posts still appear in search?

Yes. Posts made under the old group name remain searchable and visible. The group's history and content do not change when you rename it.