The fastest way to change your name on Facebook

Open the Facebook app on your phone, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner, scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the Personal Information section and tap 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 when you're ready.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your new name becomes visible to your friends and followers right away, though Facebook may place a small label next to it for a few days to let people know it recently changed.

If you don't see a Name option under Personal Information, you may have changed your name too recently — Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days. The app will tell you when you're able to change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name directly in the Facebook app by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, and the system will tell you if you've hit that limit.
  • Your new name shows up when ready to everyone on your friends list and anyone who visits your profile.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a middle name, or any combination — Facebook doesn't require legal documentation.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook lets you use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. You can enter your name in any order — first name first, last name first, or however you want it to read. You don't need to match a legal document; Facebook's name field is for how you want to be known on the platform, not for identity verification.

The app will reject names that are mostly numbers, contain unusual symbols, or look like they're trying to impersonate someone else. If your name includes a special character that isn't an apostrophe or hyphen, try removing it — if Facebook still rejects the change, the character isn't supported in that position.

Changing your name on desktop instead

If you're on a computer, the process is similar but the menu path is different. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information, then click Name. Type your new name and click Review Change, then Save Changes.

The desktop version and the app are connected to the same account, so a name change on one shows up on the other within seconds. You don't need to change your name in both places.

Why Facebook might not let you change your name

The most common reason is the 60-day rule — if you've changed your name within the last two months, you'll have to wait until that window closes. Facebook shows you the exact date you can change it again.

If you're seeing an error message instead, Facebook may think your name violates its naming rules. Names that are all numbers, contain repeated symbols, or look like spam won't go through. Try a simpler version of your name — remove numbers if you have them, or try just your first and last name without nicknames or titles.

In rare cases, Facebook flags an account for unusual activity and temporarily locks the name field. If you can't change your name and you're not hitting the 60-day limit, wait a few hours and try again. If the problem persists, you can report it through the app's help center.

What happens after you change your name

Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, in messages, and everywhere else on Facebook within seconds. Friends will see the change, and Facebook may show a small notification in their activity feed that you've updated your name — this notification goes away after a few days.

Your old name doesn't disappear from Facebook's records. If someone searches for your old name, they won't find you, but Facebook keeps a log of name changes for security reasons. This is normal and doesn't affect your privacy.

Changing your name on Messenger

Messenger pulls your name directly from your Facebook profile, so you don't change it separately. Once you update your name in the Facebook app or on Facebook's website, it updates in Messenger automatically. You'll see the change the next time you open Messenger, or you can close and reopen the app to refresh it when ready.

If your name hasn't updated in Messenger after an hour, try logging out of Messenger and logging back in. This forces the app to sync with your current Facebook profile information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. Facebook enforces this limit to prevent spam and account takeovers. The app tells you the exact date you can change your name again if you've hit the limit.

Do I need to use my real name?

No. Facebook lets you use any name you want — a nickname, a stage name, a middle name, or any combination of letters. You don't need to provide legal documents or proof of identity to change your name on the app.

Will my old messages show my new name?

Yes. When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Facebook, including in old conversations and comments. People will see your new name when they look at past messages, even though you sent them under your old name.

What if I want to change my name back?

You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time, but you have to wait 60 days between changes. If you just changed your name and want to revert, you'll need to wait until the 60-day window closes before you can make another change.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?

Facebook supports apostrophes and hyphens, but not most other special characters or emojis. If you try to use a character that isn't supported, the app will reject the change and ask you to remove it.