You can change your Facebook name directly in your settings, and Facebook lets you do it once every 60 days

Facebook allows you to change the name on your account through the Settings menu. The process takes about two minutes. You can change your name once every 60 days, so if you changed it recently, you'll need to wait until that window closes before making another change.

The name you enter must follow Facebook's name policy: it should be the name you go by in everyday life, use only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes, and cannot include symbols, numbers used as letters (like "4" for "A"), or repeated characters. Facebook reviews name changes and may reject ones that look like they're trying to impersonate someone or advertise a business.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then find Personal Information to change your name in one place.
  • Your new name must follow Facebook's rules: everyday name format, letters and basic punctuation only, no symbols or numbers as letters.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, the rejection message will tell you which rule it violated.
  • Your old name does not appear in your activity log or anywhere else once you change it.

Step-by-step: changing your name on desktop

Start by clicking the downward arrow in the top right corner of your Facebook page. Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, you'll see a menu; click Personal Information.

Find the row labeled Name and click the pencil icon next to it. A box will appear with your current name. Delete the old name and type your new one. Click Review Change to see how it will appear. If it looks right, click Save Changes. Facebook will confirm the change when ready.

Step-by-step: changing your name on mobile

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information, then tap Name.

The name field will open for editing. Clear the current name and type your new one. Tap Review Change to preview it, then tap Save Changes. The change takes effect right away.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

If your name doesn't follow Facebook's policy, you'll see an error message explaining why. Common reasons include using numbers as letters (like "M1chael" instead of "Michael"), adding symbols, or including text that looks like a business name or URL.

If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook rejected it by mistake, you can appeal. When you see the rejection message, look for an option to request a review. Facebook will ask you to provide context—for example, if your name includes numbers because that's how you actually spell it, explain that. The review usually takes a few days.

The 60-day waiting period explained

Facebook enforces a 60-day window between name changes to prevent account takeovers and impersonation. If you changed your name 45 days ago, you'll have to wait 15 more days before you can change it again. The system counts from the date of your last change, not from a calendar month.

If you need to change your name urgently because of a security issue—for example, someone hacked your account and changed it—contact Facebook Support through the Help Center. They can sometimes override the waiting period in cases of account compromise.

How your name change affects your profile and activity

When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Facebook: your profile, posts, comments, and messages. Your old name does not appear in your activity log or in other people's notifications. Friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed.

The change does not affect your username (the custom URL for your profile, like facebook.com/yourname). If you want to change your username separately, that's a different setting in Personal Information, and you can change it once every 60 days as well.

What you cannot do with a name change

You cannot use a name change to create a second account or hide from someone. Facebook's system tracks accounts by ID number, not by name, so changing your name does not make you invisible to people who already know your account. If someone has you blocked or unfriended you, a name change won't change that.

You also cannot change your name to impersonate a public figure, celebrity, or brand. Facebook's automated system and human reviewers flag these attempts and reject them. If you're a fan or tribute account, you can use a name like "Fan Account: [Name]" or "[Name] Tribute," which follows the policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere?

Your name change takes effect when ready on your profile and in your settings. It may take a few minutes to appear in other people's feeds and notifications, but usually updates within seconds. If you don't see it after an hour, refresh your browser or close and reopen the app.

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert, you'll need to wait until the 60-day window closes. You can then change it back to your original name using the same process.

What if someone else is using my real name on Facebook?

Report their account to Facebook. Go to their profile, click the three dots in the top right, select Report, and choose Pretending to be someone. Facebook will review the account. Do not try to change your own name to something unusual to avoid confusion—use your real name and let Facebook handle the impersonator.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook login or password?

No. Your login email address and password stay the same. You log in with your email and password, not with your name, so a name change does not affect how you access your account.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?

No. Facebook only allows letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. Emojis, symbols, and special characters will cause your name change to be rejected. If your name legitimately includes an apostrophe or hyphen, those are fine.