Change your name directly in the Facebook app settings

Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap it. Select Name to edit what appears on your profile.

Type your new name in the field that opens. Facebook lets you use your first name, middle name, last name, and maiden name if you have one — you can arrange these however you want. When you finish typing, tap Review Change at the bottom of the screen.

A confirmation box will appear showing your old name and new name side by side. Tap Save Changes to finish. Your new name goes live on your profile when ready, though it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere on Facebook.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach the name change field through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name in the Facebook app.
  • Facebook allows you to include a first name, middle name, last name, and maiden name, arranged in any order you choose.
  • The change takes effect right away, though it may take a few minutes to display across all parts of your profile and in other people's feeds.
  • You can change your name as often as you want, but Facebook may flag repeated changes within a short time as suspicious activity.
  • Your old name does not stay visible to other users once the change is complete — they see only your new name.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook has rules about what characters and symbols it allows in names. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes. You cannot use all capital letters, excessive punctuation, numbers in place of letters (like "M1k3" instead of "Mike"), or symbols like @, #, or &.

If Facebook rejects your name, it will tell you which part does not meet the rules. The most common reason for rejection is using all capitals or too many numbers. Try removing capitals, numbers, or extra punctuation and submit again.

How often you can change your name

Facebook does not set a hard limit on how many times you can change your name. However, if you change it multiple times in a short period — usually within a few days — Facebook may temporarily lock you out of making further changes. This is a safety measure to prevent account takeover.

If you hit this limit, wait a few days before trying again. Facebook will unlock the name change feature automatically. If you need to change your name urgently and cannot wait, you can contact Facebook through the app's Help Center, though response times vary.

Changing your name on desktop versus mobile app

The steps are slightly different on desktop. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Find Personal Information and click Name. The process after that is the same — type your new name and confirm the change.

The mobile app and desktop version sync with each other, so a name change made on one shows up on the other within minutes. You do not need to change your name separately on both devices.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your public profile. Other users cannot search for you by your old name or see it on your profile page. However, Facebook keeps a record of your name history for security reasons — if someone hacks your account and changes your name, you can prove what it was before.

People who knew you by your old name may not recognize your new profile at first. If you want them to find you, consider posting about the change or messaging close friends directly. Your friends list and messages do not disappear when you change your name — only the name itself updates.

Fixing a name change that went wrong

If you changed your name and now want to change it back, follow the same steps: Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name. Type your original name and confirm. There is no penalty for changing back, and it counts as a regular name change.

If Facebook locked you out of changing your name again because you made too many changes too quickly, wait a few days. If the lock does not lift after a week, go to the Help Center in the app menu and report the issue. Describe what you tried to do and when, and Facebook's support team will review it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name — you can use a nickname, stage name, or any name that follows Facebook's format rules. The name you enter is what shows on your profile, regardless of what your legal documents say.

Will my friends see a notification when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

What if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

This usually means your name contains offensive language, impersonates a public figure, or looks like spam. Facebook will tell you which part is the problem. Remove that part and try again with a different name. If you believe Facebook made a mistake, you can appeal through the Help Center.

Can I change my name if my account is restricted or locked?

No. If Facebook has locked or restricted your account for any reason, you cannot change your name until the restriction is lifted. Contact Facebook support through the Help Center to resolve the account issue first, then you can change your name.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it anywhere else?

No. Your Facebook name is separate from your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, or any other app or service. Changing your name on Facebook affects only your Facebook profile. If you want to change your name on other platforms, you must do that separately in each app's settings.