Change Your Facebook Profile Name in Four Steps

You can change the name that appears on your Facebook profile by going to your settings, finding the name field, and saving a new one. Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready across your profile, posts, and comments. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on a computer or phone.

Your new name will appear everywhere on Facebook right away — on your profile, in all your past posts and comments, in messages, and in search results. Your friends will see a notification that you changed your name, so they will know it is still you. The change is permanent until you change it again after 60 days have passed.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Facebook settings from the menu, then select "Personal Information" to find your name field.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, and Facebook will tell you when you are may be able to access to change it again.
  • Your new name appears on your profile, all your past posts, and your comments when ready after you save it.
  • Facebook requires your name to follow their naming rules — no numbers, symbols, or repeated characters — so some names will be rejected.

How to Change Your Name on a Computer

Start by clicking the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook. This opens a menu with several options. Look for "Settings and Privacy" and click it, then select "Settings" from the submenu that appears.

Once you are in Settings, look for "Personal Information" in the left sidebar. Click it to open that section. You will see a field labeled "Name" with your current name displayed. Click directly on the name field or the pencil icon next to it to edit it. Type your new name into the field. Facebook will show you how your name will appear on your profile as you type.

When you are happy with how it looks, click the "Review Change" button. Facebook will ask you to confirm the change one more time before it saves. Click "Save Changes" to finish. Your new name is now live on your account.

How to Change Your Name on Your Phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy," then tap "Settings." The steps are nearly identical to the computer version, just using taps instead of clicks.

Scroll down to find "Personal Information" and tap it. You will see your name at the top of this section. Tap the name field to open the edit screen. Type your new name and tap "Review Change." Facebook will show you a preview of how your name will look. Tap "Save Changes" to confirm and your new name takes effect when ready.

What Names Facebook Will and Will Not Accept

Facebook has specific rules about what characters and formats your name can use. Your name cannot contain numbers, symbols (like @ or &), or repeated characters (like "Jooohn" instead of "John"). Facebook also will not accept names that look like usernames, email addresses, or business names. Hyphens and apostrophes are allowed — so names like "Mary-Jane" or "O'Brien" will work fine.

If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, Facebook will show you an error message explaining what went wrong. You will need to edit the name to follow the rules before you can save it. For example, if you want to use a stage name or nickname that contains numbers or symbols, Facebook will reject it — you would need to spell it out in letters instead. Test your name carefully before clicking "Save Changes" to avoid repeated rejections.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. This means if you changed your name today, you cannot change it again for 60 days. When you go to edit your name and you have already changed it recently, Facebook will show you a message telling you exactly when you will be may be able to access to change it again.

This limit applies to your entire account, not to individual name fields. If you have a first name and last name separated into two fields, changing either one counts as your one change for the 60-day period. Plan your name changes carefully if you think you might want to adjust it soon. Once the 60 days pass, you will be able to change it again without any restrictions.

Where Your New Name Appears After You Save It

Your new name shows up everywhere on Facebook when ready. It appears on your profile, in the header of your page, and on all your past posts and comments — even posts from years ago will show your new name. When you send a message to someone, they will see your new name. Your new name also appears in search results when someone looks for you.

People who are already your friends will see the name change in their news feed. Facebook shows a small notification that your name has changed, so your friends will know it is you. This notification appears for a few days and then disappears. If someone searches for your old name, they will not find you — only your new name will come up in search results.

What to Do If You Cannot Change Your Name

If Facebook will not let you change your name and you have not changed it in the last 60 days, the problem is usually that your name does not follow Facebook's naming rules. Go back and check that your name contains only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Remove any numbers, symbols, or repeated characters. Try a simpler version of the name you want and see if it saves.

If you believe your name follows the rules and Facebook is still rejecting it, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center. Go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, and look for "Help and Support." Select "Report a Problem" and describe what is happening. Facebook will review your case, though responses can take several days. In the meantime, you can try adjusting your name slightly to see if a different version will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes for all accounts. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will show you an error message with the exact date you become may be able to access to change it again.

Will my friends see that I changed my name?

Yes. Facebook sends a notification to your friends' news feeds when you change your name. The notification appears for a few days and then disappears. Your friends will see both your old name and your new name in the notification so they know it is you.

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

Facebook does not allow numbers or symbols in names. If you want to use a stage name, nickname, or name from another language that contains characters Facebook rejects, you will need to spell it out using only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes instead.

Can I change my username instead of my name?

Your username (the part that appears in your profile URL) is different from your display name. You can change your username separately by going to Settings, clicking "Personal Information," and looking for "Username." Usernames can contain numbers and periods, but they follow different rules than your display name.

What happens to my old name after I change it?

Your old name disappears from your profile and all your posts. Only your new name shows up. People cannot search for you using your old name anymore, though if they knew your old name, they may still recognize you from your profile picture and other information.