The quickest way to rename a Facebook group

To change your Facebook group name, 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 does not limit how many times you can change a group name, so you can update it whenever the group's purpose shifts or you want a fresh direction. The change appears when ready to all members.

Key Takeaways

  • Only group admins can change the group name; members cannot do this even if they have other permissions.
  • The name change takes effect when ready and shows up in everyone's group list right away.
  • You can change the name as often as you want — Facebook does not restrict the number of changes.
  • The process is the same on mobile and desktop, though the exact button locations differ slightly between phone and computer.

Step-by-step instructions for desktop

On a computer, go to the group page and look at the top. You will see the group name displayed prominently. Click directly on the group name itself — not on a settings icon, but on the name text. A small menu will appear with several options.

Select Edit Group Settings from that menu. A settings panel will open on the right side of your screen. Scroll down until you see the Group Name field. Click in the text box, delete the current name, and type the new one. When you are done, click Save Changes at the bottom of the panel. The name updates when ready.

Step-by-step instructions for mobile

On your phone, open the Facebook app and navigate to the group. Tap the group name at the very top of the screen. A menu will slide up from the bottom showing group options.

Look for and tap Edit Group Settings. Scroll down to find the Group Name field. Tap in the text box, clear the old name, and type the new one. Scroll to the bottom and tap Save. The change takes effect right away, and you will be returned to the group page.

What happens to the group after you change the name

The group's URL and ID stay the same even though the name changes. This means any links that members have saved or shared will still work — they will just lead to a group with a different name displayed. The group's cover photo, description, and all posts remain exactly as they were.

All members see the new name in their group list and in notifications. There is no notification sent to members saying the name changed, so if the change is significant, you may want to post an announcement in the group explaining the reason.

Reasons to change a group name

Groups often need new names when their focus shifts. A neighborhood group might change from "Downtown Residents" to "Downtown Residents and Business Owners" when membership expands. A hobby group might rename itself to be more specific — "Photography Tips" becoming "Film Photography for Beginners" — to attract the right audience.

Some groups rename themselves to fix a typo or spelling error that was not caught at creation. Others change names when they merge with another group or when the original name becomes outdated. There is no penalty for changing the name, so you can experiment to find what works best for your group's current purpose.

Troubleshooting: why you might not see the edit option

If you cannot find the Edit Group Settings option, you are likely not an admin of the group. Only admins can change the group name. If you think you should be an admin, ask the group creator or another admin to check your role.

On rare occasions, Facebook may temporarily prevent name changes if the group is very new or if there has been a recent change. If you just created the group, wait a few minutes and try again. If you changed the name recently and want to change it again, Facebook usually allows this, but if you see an error message, wait a few hours before trying once more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can members of the group see who changed the name?

Facebook does not show members a log of who made the change or when it happened. Members straightforward see the new name in their group list. If you want them to know why the name changed, you will need to post a message in the group explaining it.

What if I change the name and then want to change it back?

You can change it back at any time using the same steps. There is no limit on how many times you can rename a group, and no waiting period between changes. Just go back to Edit Group Settings and update the name field again.

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

No. Whether your group is public, closed, or private stays the same when you change the name. The privacy level is a separate setting that does not change unless you deliberately alter it in the group settings.

Can I use special characters or emojis in the group name?

Facebook allows most characters in group names, including numbers and some punctuation. Emojis usually work as well. However, Facebook may reject names that are all caps, contain excessive symbols, or appear to be spam. If you get an error, try a simpler version of the name.