The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Personal information, then find the Name field. Click Edit next to your current name, type your new name in the boxes provided, and click Review change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears, then ask you to confirm. Once you click Save changes, your name updates across your profile, posts, and comments when ready.

The entire process takes less than a minute. Your new name shows to everyone on Facebook right away — there is no waiting period or approval step. If you change your mind within 60 days, you can change it again using the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, then click Edit and confirm your new name.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you want to make multiple changes.
  • Your new name appears everywhere on Facebook when ready — on your profile, in comments, in posts, and in messages.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a maiden name, or any combination of names you go by, as long as it follows Facebook's name standards.
  • If you made a typo or want to revert to your old name, you can change it again after 60 days have passed.

What names Facebook allows

Facebook requires that your name be something people actually call you in real life. You can use your full legal name, a nickname, a maiden name, a stage name, or any combination of names you use. You cannot use numbers, symbols, unusual spacing, or repeated characters (like "Jooohn" or "M@@ry"). Facebook also flags names that look like they are trying to impersonate someone famous or that contain offensive language.

If you submit a name and Facebook rejects it, you will see a message explaining why. The most common reason is that the name contains characters Facebook does not allow. Try removing numbers, symbols, or extra spaces, then submit again. If your name is genuinely unusual but real, you can appeal the rejection by clicking the link in the rejection message and explaining your situation to Facebook.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit applies whether you are correcting a typo, switching back to your old name, or trying something completely new. Facebook enforces this rule to prevent people from constantly switching names and confusing their friends or evading accountability.

If you made a mistake in your name change, you have two options: wait 60 days and change it again, or contact Facebook to explain the error. Facebook rarely makes exceptions, but if you changed your name by accident (for example, you hit submit before finishing typing), you can try requesting a manual review through the Help Center. Go to Help and support > Help Center, search for "name change", and look for the option to report a problem with your name.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are the same whether you use Facebook on a phone, tablet, or computer, but the menu locations look slightly different. On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the app, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then tap Personal information and Name. On a desktop computer, click the downward arrow in the top right, then follow the same path through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name.

If you use Facebook Messenger separately from the main app, your name change syncs automatically — you do not need to change it twice. The same applies if you use Facebook through a web browser instead of the app. Your new name appears everywhere you use Facebook within a few minutes.

What happens to your old posts and comments after a name change

All your old posts, comments, photos, and messages show your new name, not your old one. This happens when ready. If someone looks at a post you made three years ago, they will see your current name as the author, not the name you had when you posted it. Your friends will not see a notification that you changed your name — they will straightforward notice the change the next time they visit your profile or see one of your posts.

This can be useful if you want a fresh start or if your name has changed in real life. However, it also means that if you change your name frequently, people may get confused about who you are. If you are concerned about this, you can post a message on your timeline letting people know about the change.

If you cannot find the name change option

If the Name field does not appear in your Personal information section, your account may have restrictions. This sometimes happens if Facebook recently flagged your account for unusual activity, if you are under 18 (some younger accounts have limited settings), or if you have already changed your name within the last 60 days.

Check the date of your last name change by going to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information and looking for any message about when you can change your name again. If you see a message saying you cannot change your name yet, you will need to wait until the 60-day window closes. If you do not see the Name field at all and you have not changed your name recently, try logging out and logging back in, or try accessing Facebook from a different device or browser.

Changing your name if your account is hacked or impersonated

If someone else changed your name without your permission, or if your account was hacked and your name was altered, you can report this to Facebook. Go to Help and support > Help Center, search for "hacked account", and follow Facebook's recovery steps. If you regain access to your account, you can change your name back when ready — the 60-day rule does not explore to accounts that have been compromised.

To prevent this from happening, use a strong, unique password for Facebook, enable two-factor authentication (found in Settings and privacy > Settings > Security and login), and be cautious about which apps and websites you allow to access your Facebook account. If you think your account is currently hacked, change your password right away and review your login activity in the Security and login section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. After you change your name, you must wait 60 days before changing it again. If you made a mistake, you can wait out the 60 days and change it back, or you can contact Facebook to request a manual review if the change was accidental.

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

No, Facebook does not send notifications about name changes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see one of your posts, but they will not receive an alert. If you want them to know, you can post a message on your timeline explaining the change.

Can I use a fake name or nickname on Facebook?

Facebook allows nicknames and names you go by in real life, but not completely fictional names or names designed to hide your identity. Your name should be something people actually call you. If Facebook rejects your name, it is usually because it contains numbers, symbols, or characters that do not look like a real name.

What if I changed my name by mistake and want to change it back when ready?

You will have to wait 60 days to change it again. However, if the change was truly accidental (for example, you submitted the form before you finished typing), you can try contacting Facebook through the Help Center to request an exception. Facebook rarely overrides the 60-day rule, but it is worth asking if the mistake was genuine.

Does changing my name on Facebook change my username?

No. Your name and your username are separate. Your name is what appears on your profile and in posts. Your username is the custom URL for your profile (like facebook.com/yourname). You can change your username separately through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Username, and you can change your username once every 60 days as well.