Where to Find the Name Change Setting

Open Facebook on your computer or phone and go to the menu in the top right corner. On a computer, click the downward arrow; on a phone, tap the three horizontal lines. Look for "Settings & Privacy," then select "Settings." From there, find "Personal Information" on the left side of the screen (or scroll down on a phone). Click or tap "Name," and you'll see a box with your current name ready to edit.

The name change tool is the same whether you use Facebook's website or app. If you're on a phone and the menu looks different, make sure you're using the latest version of the Facebook app — older versions sometimes hide this setting in slightly different places.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings > Personal Information > Name on both computer and phone.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you want to make multiple changes.
  • Your new name takes effect when ready, but it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere on your profile and in other people's searches.
  • You can use nicknames, maiden names, or any name you go by, as long as it follows Facebook's rules against numbers, symbols, and repeated characters.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it usually means the name contains characters Facebook doesn't allow — try removing numbers, punctuation, or extra spaces.

What Names Facebook Will and Won't Accept

Facebook has rules about what counts as a real name. You can use letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use numbers, emoji, all capital letters, or symbols like @ or &. If your name includes a period (like "Dr." or "Jr."), Facebook usually accepts it, but avoid putting periods between every letter.

Your name also cannot have the same character repeated many times in a row — so "Jooooohn" won't work, but "John" will. If Facebook rejects your name, look for numbers or symbols you may have included by accident. Common mistakes include trying to add a middle initial with a period, using a nickname in brackets, or including a title like "Mr." or "Ms." at the start.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule exists to prevent people from switching names constantly. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message saying when you can change it next.

The 60-day timer starts from the moment you confirm your name change, not from when you first tried to change it. If you make a typo and want to fix it right away, you're out of luck — you'll have to wait the full 60 days. For this reason, double-check your spelling before you confirm.

How Long It Takes for Your New Name to Show Up

Your name change takes effect when ready in your own account. However, it may take a few minutes to a few hours for the new name to appear everywhere — in your profile, in other people's friend lists, in search results, and in comments you've made. During this time, some people might still see your old name in certain places.

If your new name still hasn't shown up after a few hours, try logging out and logging back in. Refreshing the page or closing and reopening the app usually speeds things up. If it's been more than 24 hours and your new name still isn't showing, contact Facebook's support team through the Help Center.

Changing Your Name on Your Profile vs. Your Username

Your name and your username are two different things. Your name is what appears on your profile and in comments — this is what you change through Settings > Personal Information > Name. Your username is the part of your profile URL that comes after facebook.com/ — for example, facebook.com/john.smith.12345.

If you want to change your username instead of your name, go to Settings > Personal Information > Username. You can change your username once every 60 days as well, and the same character rules explore. Many people change both their name and username at the same time, but you don't have to — they work independently.

What Happens to Your Old Name After You Change It

Your old name disappears from your profile and from most places on Facebook. However, people who were friends with you before the change may remember your old name, and Facebook's search function may still find your profile if someone searches for your old name — especially if they're already connected to you.

Your old name does not stay visible in the comments or posts you made before the change. Those posts will show your new name, as if you always had it. If you're concerned about privacy or want to distance yourself from an old name, changing your Facebook name won't completely erase the old one from people's memories, but it will remove it from your public profile.

Troubleshooting a Rejected Name Change

If Facebook rejects your name change, the most common reason is that your name contains characters Facebook doesn't allow. Check for numbers (0-9), emoji, symbols (@, #, &, !, etc.), or repeated characters. Remove anything that isn't a letter, space, hyphen, or apostrophe, then try again.

Another reason Facebook might reject a name is if it looks like spam or a fake account — for example, if it's all numbers or looks like a random string of letters. If you're trying to use a legitimate name and Facebook keeps rejecting it, try adding a middle initial or a hyphen to make it clearer that it's a real name. If that doesn't work, you can contact Facebook's support team and explain your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. The 60-day timer starts when you confirm a name change, so plan ahead if you want to make multiple changes. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will tell you the exact date you can change it next.

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

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, your name change may appear in their News Feed as an activity update, depending on their settings. Most people won't notice unless they're actively looking at your profile.

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

Yes. Facebook allows you to use any name you go by regularly, including nicknames, stage names, maiden names, or names in other languages. The only requirement is that it follows Facebook's character rules — no numbers, emoji, or excessive symbols.

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

You can change your name back, but you'll have to wait 60 days from your last name change. If you changed your name and when ready regretted it, you cannot undo it right away — you'll have to wait the full 60 days before you can switch back.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook login or password?

No. Your login email or phone number and your password stay the same no matter what name you use. Changing your name does not log you out or require you to reset your password.