Yes, you can change your Facebook name whenever you want

Facebook lets you change the name on your profile at any time. You can do this from your phone or computer, and the change takes effect right away. The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.

Facebook does limit how often you can change your name — you can only make one change every 60 days. If you try to change it again before 60 days have passed, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it next. This limit resets each time you make a change, so the 60-day clock starts over.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name from the Settings menu on your phone or the Settings icon on your computer, then select "Personal Information."
  • Facebook allows one name change every 60 days, and you must wait the full 60 days before making another change.
  • Your new name appears on your profile and in comments and posts right away, but old posts may still show your previous name.
  • Facebook has rules about what names are allowed — no numbers, symbols, or fake names designed to impersonate someone else.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, you can appeal the decision by submitting a form with a photo ID that matches the name you want to use.

How to change your name on iPhone or Android

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Scroll down and tap "Settings & Privacy," then tap "Settings." Look for "Personal Information" and tap it. You'll see your current name listed — tap on it to edit.

Type your new name in the field that appears. You can change your first name, last name, or both. When you're done, tap "Review Change" at the bottom of the screen. Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will look. If it's correct, tap "Save Changes." Your new name is now live on your profile.

How to change your name on a computer

Go to Facebook.com and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Select "Settings & Privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side of the screen, click "Personal Information." You'll see your name listed — click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new name in the field. You can change your first name, last name, or both. Click "Review Change" when you're finished. Facebook will show you a preview of your new name. If everything looks right, click "Save Changes." The change takes effect when ready.

What names Facebook will and won't allow

Facebook has rules about what counts as a real name. Your name cannot include numbers, symbols, or special characters like asterisks or underscores. You also cannot use all capital letters, and you cannot use accents or diacritical marks in ways that don't match how the name is actually spelled in your language.

Facebook will reject names that look fake or designed to impersonate someone else — for example, a name that copies a celebrity's name exactly, or a name that's clearly a joke or nickname rather than a real name. If you want to use a name that includes a middle name, a suffix like "Jr." or "III," or a name from a different culture or language, Facebook usually allows these as long as they're your actual name.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, and in posts you make from that moment forward. However, old posts and comments you made before the change will still show your previous name. Facebook does not go back and update the name on every past post — only new activity uses your new name.

Your friends will see your new name on their news feed and in their friend list. If you change your name back to your old one later, the same rule applies — old posts still show the name that was current when you posted them.

If Facebook rejects your name change

If you try to change your name and Facebook says it doesn't follow their naming rules, you'll see an error message. This usually means your new name contains numbers, symbols, or looks like it's not a real name. Read the message carefully — it will tell you what the problem is.

If you believe your name should be allowed, you can appeal. Look for a link in the error message that says "Appeal" or "Let us know." Click it and upload a photo of your ID that shows the name you want to use. Facebook will review your appeal and either approve the name or explain why it still doesn't meet their rules. This process can take a few days.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. If you try to change it before the 60 days are up, Facebook will show you a message with the exact date when you can change it next. This limit exists to prevent people from constantly switching names and confusing their friends.

The 60-day timer starts over each time you make a change. So if you change your name on January 1st, you cannot change it again until March 1st. If you then change it on March 1st, the next change is not allowed until May 1st. There is no way to speed up this waiting period.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Facebook's rules say you must use the name you go by in everyday life. A stage name or nickname is allowed if that's actually what people call you and what you use in real life. However, if Facebook thinks it's fake, they may reject it. If that happens, you can appeal with an ID that shows the name.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

You can change your name back anytime, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name on January 1st and want to change it back on January 15th, you cannot — you have to wait until March 1st. The 60-day rule applies to any change, including going back to an old name.

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

Your friends will see your new name on your profile and in the news feed, but Facebook does not send them a specific notification saying you changed your name. They'll just notice the new name the next time they look at your profile or see your activity.

Can I change my name if I have a Facebook business page?

Your personal profile name and your business page name are separate. You can change your personal name following the steps above. Your business page has its own name, which you change through the business page settings, not your personal profile settings.

What if Facebook locked my account and I can't access the settings?

If you cannot log in or access your settings, you'll need to recover your account first. Go to facebook.com and click "Forgot Password?" Follow the steps to verify your identity and regain access. Once you're back in your account, you can change your name normally.