Change your Facebook name from your settings menu

To change your Facebook name, open Facebook on any device, go to the menu in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Look for Personal information on the left side and click it. You will see a field labeled Name — click Edit next to it, type your new name, and click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears to others. Click Save Changes and you are done.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Your new name shows up when ready on your profile and in comments, messages, and posts. People who know you under your old name will still be able to find you because Facebook keeps a record of previous names in your profile history.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, then click Edit and Save Changes.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
  • Your new name appears everywhere on Facebook within seconds — on your profile, in comments, in messages, and in search results.
  • Facebook keeps a record of your previous names visible only to you, so people searching for your old name will still find your profile.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it is usually because the name contains numbers, symbols, or repeated characters that the system flags as suspicious.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook has rules about what counts as a valid name. Your name cannot contain numbers, symbols, or punctuation marks except hyphens and apostrophes. You cannot use all capital letters, and you cannot repeat the same character more than a few times in a row. Names that look like they are trying to hide something — such as "X Æ A-12" or "Admin" or "Facebook" — will be rejected.

Your name also cannot be a business name, a title, or a phrase. Facebook is designed around real names, so something like "Sarah's Coffee Shop" or "Dr. Sarah" will not pass. If your name is genuinely unusual or contains characters from another language, Facebook may still accept it, but if it gets rejected, you can appeal the decision by clicking the option to request a review.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit exists to prevent spam and impersonation. If you made a typo or changed your mind, you will have to wait the full two months before you can change it again. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception.

Plan your name change carefully so you do not waste your one change per 60 days. If you are unsure how your new name will look, use the Review Change screen to see it in context before you save.

How your old names stay searchable

When you change your name, Facebook does not erase your old one. Your previous names remain in your profile history, visible only to you. This means people who knew you under your old name can still search for you and find your profile — they will just see your current name when they land on it.

You can see your own name history by going to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name and scrolling down. This list shows every name you have used on Facebook and when you changed it. Other people cannot see this history.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

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

The mobile app and desktop site sync when ready, so a name change made on your phone will show up on your computer within seconds, and vice versa. You do not need to change your name twice.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

If you see an error message when you try to save your new name, Facebook is flagging it as against their naming rules. The most common reasons are numbers in the name, symbols other than hyphens and apostrophes, all capital letters, or a name that looks like a business or title. Read the error message — it usually tells you what the problem is.

If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, click the option to request a review. Facebook staff will look at your request and either approve the name or explain why it does not meet their rules. This review can take a few days. If your name is genuinely your legal name and contains characters or formatting that Facebook rejected, providing a photo of your ID can help your case.

Using a nickname or middle name instead of your legal name

Facebook does not require you to use your legal name. You can use a nickname, a middle name, a stage name, or any other name you go by regularly. The rule is that it has to be the name you actually use in everyday life, not a fake name created to hide your identity or impersonate someone else.

If you want to go by "Sam" instead of "Samuel," or "Alex Morgan" instead of your legal name, Facebook will accept it as long as it follows the formatting rules. The system cannot tell the difference between a legal name and a nickname — it only checks whether the name contains forbidden characters or patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. After you change your name, you cannot change it again until 60 days have passed. There is no way to request an exception or speed up this timer.

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

No. Your friends will not receive a notification about your name change. They will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see a post or comment from you. Some people may not notice the change for days or weeks.

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days. If you changed your name and want to revert to your old one, you can do so after the 60-day period ends. Your old name is stored in your profile history, so you can see exactly what it was.

What if someone else is using my name on Facebook?

Report the account to Facebook. Go to their profile, click the three dots in the top right corner, select Find support or report profile, and choose Impersonation. Facebook will investigate and may remove the account or ask the person to change their name. This process can take several days.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your Facebook username (the part that appears in your profile URL, like facebook.com/yourname) is separate from your display name. Changing your name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, you do that in a different section of Settings.