Change your display name in Messenger settings
Your Messenger display name comes from your Facebook profile name. To change what people see when you message them, you go into Messenger settings and update your profile information there. The steps are the same whether you use Messenger on your phone or computer, though the menu locations look slightly different.
On your phone, open Messenger and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Select Profile, then tap the pencil icon next to your name. Type your new name and tap Save. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top left, select Profile, and click the edit icon next to your name to make changes.
The name you enter here is what appears to everyone in your Messenger conversations. If you only want to change how one person sees your name, Messenger does not have a per-contact nickname feature — you would need to ask them to save you under a different name in their phone contacts instead.
Key Takeaways
- Your Messenger display name is controlled by your Facebook profile name, so changing one changes the other.
- You can edit your name through Messenger settings on your phone or computer using the profile menu and edit icon.
- The new name appears to all your contacts in Messenger conversations when ready after you save it.
- Messenger does not have a feature to show different names to different people — the change is global across all your chats.
- If you want one person to see you under a nickname, ask them to save you that way in their phone contacts instead.
Where to find the name field on different devices
On iPhone or Android, the fastest route is the profile picture icon in the top left corner of the Messenger home screen. Tap it, then tap Profile. You will see your name with a pencil icon next to it — tap the pencil to open the edit field. Type your new name and confirm the change.
On a computer or web browser, the process is nearly identical. Click your profile picture in the top left of Messenger, select Profile from the dropdown menu, and look for the edit icon (usually a pencil) next to your name. Click it, enter your new name, and save.
If you cannot find the edit option, make sure you are logged into the correct Facebook account. Messenger pulls your name directly from your Facebook profile, so if you do not have permission to edit that profile, you will not be able to change your Messenger name either.
What happens when you change your name
The change takes effect when ready. Everyone you message will see your new name the next time they open Messenger or refresh their chat list. Old messages you sent before the change will still show your old name, because they are part of the message history. Only new messages and your profile card will display the updated name.
Changing your Messenger name does not affect your Facebook profile name, your Instagram name, or any other accounts you may have linked to Facebook. Each platform pulls from its own name field, so you can have different names on different services if you want.
If you change your name back and forth frequently, contacts may get confused about who they are talking to. Messenger does not send a notification when someone changes their name, so people only notice when they see the new name in an active conversation.
If you cannot edit your name
The most common reason you cannot change your name is that your Facebook account has restrictions on it. This can happen if Facebook detected unusual activity, if your account is very new, or if you have changed your name too many times recently. Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days for security reasons.
If you hit the 60-day limit, you will see a message telling you when you can change your name again. You cannot work around this — you have to wait until the time window passes. If you believe your account has been restricted unfairly, you can report the issue to Facebook through their Help Center, though response times vary.
Another possibility is that you are not logged into the account that owns the Messenger conversation. If you have multiple Facebook accounts, make sure you are in the right one before trying to edit your name.
Using a nickname or alternate name
If you want people to call you by a nickname but your legal name is on your Facebook account, you have a few options. The simplest is to change your Facebook profile name to the nickname you prefer — Facebook allows this as long as it follows their name policies (no numbers, symbols, or all-caps text). Your Messenger name will update automatically.
If you want to keep your legal name on Facebook but use a nickname in Messenger only, Messenger does not support this. You would have to ask each person you message to save you under the nickname in their phone contacts. When they text or call you, they will see the nickname, but in Messenger you will still appear under your profile name.
Some people use their middle name, a shortened version of their first name, or a completely different name on Facebook. As long as it does not violate Facebook's name policies, you can change your profile name to whatever you prefer, and that name will show up in Messenger.
Changing your name back to what it was before
If you changed your name and want to revert to your previous name, follow the same steps: go to your profile, click the edit icon next to your name, and type the old name. The change takes effect when ready, just like any other name change.
Keep in mind that Facebook's 60-day rule still applies. If you changed your name less than 60 days ago, you cannot change it again until that period passes, even if you are changing it back to your original name. Plan ahead if you think you might want to switch names.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my Messenger name change my Facebook name too?
Yes. Messenger pulls your name directly from your Facebook profile, so changing one automatically changes the other. If you want a different name on Messenger, you have to change your Facebook profile name.
Can I have a different name for different people in Messenger?
No, Messenger does not have per-contact nicknames. Everyone sees the same name. If you want one person to see you under a nickname, ask them to save you that way in their phone contacts instead.
How long does it take for my new name to show up?
The change is when ready on your end. Other people will see your new name the next time they open Messenger or refresh their chat list, usually within seconds to a few minutes.
Why does it say I cannot change my name for 60 days?
Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days for security. If you changed your name recently, you have to wait until the 60-day window passes before you can change it again, even if you are changing it back to your original name.
Will my old messages show my new name?
No. Messages you sent before the name change will still display your old name in the conversation history. Only new messages and your profile card will show your updated name.