The quickest way to rename your Facebook group

To change a group name on Facebook, open the group, tap or click the group name at the top, select Edit Group Settings, find the name field, type the new name, and save. The whole process takes about one minute. You must be a group admin to make this change — regular members cannot rename the group.

Facebook stores your group name in one place, so changing it updates everywhere the group appears: in search results, in members' group lists, in notifications, and in the group's web address (though the address itself stays the same). The old name does not appear in the group's history or anywhere else after you save the new one.

Key Takeaways

  • Only group admins can change the group name; members cannot do this even if they have other permissions.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all of Facebook, including search results and member notifications.
  • You can change the name as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • The group's web address does not change when you rename it, so old links to the group still work.
  • Facebook does not notify members that the name has changed, so you may want to post an announcement in the group.

Step-by-step instructions for desktop

Open Facebook in a web browser and navigate to your group. At the top of the group page, you will see the group name in large text. Click directly on the group name — this opens a dropdown menu with several options.

From that menu, select Edit Group Settings. A settings panel will open on the right side of your screen. Scroll to the top of this panel until you see the Group Name field. The current name appears in a text box. Click inside the box, delete the old name, and type the new one.

After you type the new name, scroll down slightly and look for a Save button at the bottom of the settings panel. Click it. Facebook will confirm the change with a brief message, and the new name will appear at the top of the group page within seconds.

Step-by-step instructions for mobile app

Open the Facebook app and go to your group. At the top of the screen, you will see the group name. Tap the group name directly — this opens a menu with options including Edit Group Settings. Tap that option.

The settings screen will open. Scroll to the top until you see the Group Name field. Tap inside the text box, clear the current name using your keyboard, and type the new name. As you type, the new name appears in the field.

Scroll down to find the Save button and tap it. The app will return you to the group page, and the new name will display at the top. If you do not see the change right away, close the group and reopen it — the app sometimes needs a moment to refresh.

What happens to the group web address

When you change a group name, the group's web address (its URL) does not change. If your group had the address facebook.com/groups/123456789 before the rename, it will have the same address afterward. This means any links people saved or shared will still work and will take them to the group with its new name.

The group's unique ID number stays the same forever. Facebook uses this number to identify the group internally, not the name. This is why old links never break and why you can rename a group as many times as you want without losing anything.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common error is trying to change the name from the group's About section instead of from Edit Group Settings. The About section shows the name but does not let you edit it — you must use the Edit Group Settings menu. If you click on the name and do not see an Edit Group Settings option, you are probably not an admin, or you are in the wrong menu.

Another mistake is forgetting to click the Save button. Some people type a new name, assume it has been saved, and close the settings panel. The name reverts to the old one because you never confirmed the change. Always wait for the Save button to appear and click it before leaving the settings screen.

Do not assume members will notice the name change on their own. Facebook does not send notifications when a group is renamed. If the new name is significantly different from the old one, post a message in the group explaining the change so members understand what happened.

Renaming a group you do not admin

If you are a member of a group but not an admin, you cannot change the group name yourself. You will not see the Edit Group Settings option when you click the group name. Instead, you can message the group admins and ask them to consider a new name. Most groups have an admin listed on the About page.

If the group name violates Facebook's rules — for example, if it contains hate speech or impersonates someone — you can report the group to Facebook. Use the three-dot menu at the top of the group page and select Report Group. Facebook will review the report, but they do not change names on request; they only remove groups that break their policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a group name back to one I used before?

Yes. Facebook does not prevent you from reusing old group names. You can change the name to anything you want, as many times as you want, with no restrictions or waiting periods between changes.

Will members get notified when I change the group name?

No. Facebook does not send notifications about group name changes. Members will see the new name the next time they visit the group, but they will not receive a notification or alert. If you want members to know about the change, post an announcement in the group.

What if the name I want is already taken by another group?

Multiple groups can have the same name on Facebook. You can rename your group to match another group's name with no problem. The groups are identified by their unique ID numbers, not by their names, so there is no conflict.

Does changing the group name affect the group's privacy settings?

No. The group's privacy level (public, closed, or secret) stays the same when you rename it. Changing the name does not change who can see the group, who can join, or any other settings.

What characters can I use in a group name?

Facebook allows letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks in group names. Avoid special characters like < or > or very long names over 100 characters, as these may cause problems. If Facebook rejects your name choice, try removing unusual characters or shortening it.