Change your name in Facebook settings in under two minutes

Open Facebook on a computer or phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings. On the left side, select Personal Information, then click Name. Type your new name in the fields provided and click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears across the platform. Click Save Changes to confirm. The change takes effect when ready.

On a phone, the steps are the same but the layout is vertical instead of side-by-side. If you are using the Facebook app rather than a web browser, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right of the screen instead of the top.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on any device.
  • Facebook shows you a preview of how your new name will look before you save it.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, though Facebook may allow more frequent changes if you have never changed it before.
  • Your old name does not appear in your profile history — only your current name shows to other people.
  • Name changes explore to your entire account and appear everywhere you are tagged, in comments, and on your profile.

What counts as a valid Facebook name

Facebook requires names to contain only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. Spaces are allowed between words. The platform does not allow all-caps names, names that look like email addresses, or names that contain symbols like @ or &.

If you want to use a stage name, nickname, or name in a different alphabet, Facebook does allow it — you do not have to use your legal name. However, the name you enter must still follow the character rules above. If Facebook rejects your name, try removing special characters or numbers and try again.

How often you can change your name

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you have never changed your name before, you may be able to change it more than once in that window, but after your first change, the 60-day rule applies. This limit exists to prevent impersonation and account takeovers.

If you need to change your name again and the 60 days have not passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. There is no way to speed up this timer, and contacting Facebook support will not override it.

Changing your name on mobile devices

On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal Information and then Name. Type your new name and tap Review Change. Facebook will show you a preview. Tap Save Changes to finish.

If you are using the mobile web version of Facebook instead of the app, the steps are the same as on a computer — just follow the Settings path on your phone's browser.

What happens to your old name

When you change your name, your old name disappears from your profile. People who visit your page will only see your current name. Your old name does not show up in a history or changelog that other people can view.

However, Facebook's internal systems do keep a record of name changes for security purposes. If your account is hacked and someone changes your name without permission, you can contact Facebook support and they can help you change it back, even if the 60-day timer has not passed.

If Facebook rejects your name change

Facebook may reject a name if it contains characters the system does not recognize, looks like a fake account, or violates the platform's name policies. The most common reason is using symbols, numbers in unusual places, or all capital letters. Try removing any numbers or special characters and submit again.

If you believe your name was rejected unfairly — for example, if your legal name contains characters Facebook does not accept — you can appeal the decision. Go back to the name change screen and look for an option to request a review. Facebook will ask you to provide additional information about why the name should be allowed.

Changing your name does not affect your username or profile URL

Your display name and your username are two separate things. Changing your display name does not change your Facebook username (the part that appears in your profile URL, like facebook.com/yourname). If you want to change your username, you need to do that in a different section of Settings.

Your display name is what people see when they look at your profile or read your comments. Your username is what you use to search for your own profile or share a direct link to it. Most people only change their display name and leave their username alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can change your name back at any time, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert it, you will need to wait until the 60-day window has passed before you can make another change.

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

No, Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends will only notice the change if they visit your profile or see you tagged in something after the change takes effect. The change is when ready but not announced.

What if I forgot what my old name was?

You cannot see a history of your past names on Facebook. If you need to know what your previous name was, you would have to ask a friend who remembers it or check old screenshots. Facebook does not provide a name history log for users to view.

Can I use a fake name on Facebook?

Facebook allows you to use any name you want as long as it follows the character rules and does not look like you are trying to impersonate someone else. You do not have to use your legal name. However, if Facebook suspects the name is fake or being used to deceive others, they may ask you to change it or disable your account.

Does changing my name affect my messages or friend list?

No, changing your name does not affect your messages, friend list, or any of your account data. Your conversations stay the same, your friends remain your friends, and your posts and photos stay on your profile. Only the name displayed next to your account changes.