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 the section labeled Personal Information and tap Name. You'll see your current name displayed — tap the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new name into the field. Facebook allows you to use your first name, middle name, last name, and maiden name if you want. You can include spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes, but Facebook blocks numbers and most special characters. Once you've entered the new name, tap Review Change at the bottom of the screen.

A confirmation screen will appear showing your old name and new name side by side. Tap Save Changes to confirm. Your name will update across Facebook within a few minutes — your profile, comments, posts, and messages will all reflect the new name when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name to reach the name change field in the Facebook app.
  • You can change your name as often as you want, but Facebook may flag frequent changes as suspicious activity.
  • Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, in posts, and in messages within minutes of saving.
  • Facebook blocks numbers and most symbols, but allows spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes in names.
  • If you change your name back and forth repeatedly within a short time, Facebook may temporarily lock the name field.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your public profile and from all your posts and comments. People who knew your previous name won't see it anymore unless they look at your profile history — and only if you've made your name change history public, which is not the default setting.

Your username (the part that comes after facebook.com/ in your profile URL) does not change when you change your display name. If you want to change your username instead, that's a separate process in the same Personal Information section, and you can only do it once every 60 days.

Timing and cooldown periods

Facebook does not impose a waiting period between name changes. You can change your name as many times as you want in a single day. However, if you change your name back and forth repeatedly — especially within hours — Facebook's automated systems may flag this as unusual activity and temporarily prevent you from making further changes.

If you hit this limit, wait at least 24 hours before trying again. This is a safety measure to prevent account takeovers, where someone gains access to your account and rapidly changes your name to lock you out or impersonate you.

Common mistakes that block name changes

The most common reason a name change fails is using characters Facebook doesn't allow. Numbers, emojis, and symbols like @, #, or $ will cause the change to be rejected. Stick to letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. If you're trying to add a title (like "Dr." or "Jr."), Facebook usually accepts these as long as they're written as words rather than abbreviations.

Another frequent issue is trying to change your name while using a VPN or proxy service. Facebook may block the change as a security precaution if it detects you're connecting from an unusual location. If this happens, disconnect from the VPN, wait a few minutes, and try again from your normal network.

Changing your name on desktop instead of the app

If you're having trouble with the app, you can change your name on the desktop version of Facebook. Go to facebook.com, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings & Privacy > Settings. Click Personal Information on the left sidebar, then click Name. The process is identical to the app version.

Some people find the desktop version more reliable if the app is acting up or if they're hitting repeated error messages. The change syncs across both versions within minutes, so it doesn't matter which device you use.

If your name change is rejected or stuck

If you see an error message when you try to save your new name, take a screenshot of the error and try again in a few minutes. Temporary glitches are common, especially if Facebook's servers are busy. If the same error appears multiple times, try clearing the Facebook app's cache: go to your phone's Settings, find Facebook in your app list, tap Storage, and tap Clear Cache. This removes temporary files without deleting your account or login information.

If you're locked out of the name change field entirely and see a message saying you've changed your name too recently, wait at least 24 hours. If you've waited and still can't change it, or if you see a message about suspicious activity, you may need to verify your identity. Facebook will usually ask you to upload a photo ID or answer security questions before letting you proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name to something completely different from my real name?

Yes. Facebook's policy allows you to use any name you want as long as it doesn't violate their community standards — for example, you can't use a name that impersonates a public figure or includes hate speech. Your display name doesn't have to match your legal name or government ID.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

No. Your friends won't receive a notification about the name change. They'll see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but there's no alert sent to them. Some people may not notice the change for days or weeks.

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

Yes, you can change your name back at any time using the same process. There's no restriction on reverting to a previous name. However, if you change your name back and forth very quickly (within hours), Facebook may temporarily lock the name field as a security measure.

What if I want to use a name with numbers or special characters?

Facebook blocks most numbers and special characters in names. If you need numbers or symbols, try spelling them out instead — for example, use "Four" instead of "4", or write out punctuation as words. If that doesn't work, you'll need to use a name without those characters.

Does changing my name on Facebook change my name anywhere else?

No. Changing your name on Facebook only affects your Facebook profile and account. It doesn't change your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, or any other service, even if those accounts are linked to your Facebook account. You'd need to change your name separately on each platform.