The fastest way to change your name on Facebook
Open Facebook on any device, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Personal information. Next to your name, click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided — Facebook splits this into first name and last name — then click Review change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears across the platform. Click Save changes to finish.
The entire process takes about two minutes. Your new name appears when ready on your profile, timeline, and comments. If you change your mind within 60 days, you can change it again using the same steps.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Edit name, then review and save.
- Your new name shows up right away on your profile, posts, and comments across Facebook.
- Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
- Your old name does not appear in your change history — only you and Facebook see that you changed it.
- If you use a fake name or numbers that violate Facebook's policies, the platform may reject the change or disable your account.
What names Facebook will and will not accept
Facebook requires names to contain only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use symbols like @, #, or &. The platform also blocks names that are entirely numbers, names that look like email addresses, and names with excessive punctuation or spacing.
Facebook's system is designed to prevent fake accounts and spam. If you try to use a stage name, nickname, or name that does not match your legal identity, Facebook may flag it during review. The platform does allow nicknames and names from different cultures — you do not have to use your legal name — but the name you enter must look like an actual name, not a username or brand.
If your change is rejected, Facebook will tell you why. Common reasons are special characters, numbers in unusual places, or a name that appears to be a business or fake account. You can try again with a different name, or contact Facebook's support team if you believe your name was rejected by mistake.
The 60-day waiting period between changes
Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit applies whether you change it back to your old name or to something entirely new. Facebook enforces this to prevent people from switching names constantly and confusing their friends or evading detection.
If you make a typo or realize you want a different name, you have to wait the full 60 days before you can make another change. 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 on a mistake.
How your name change appears to other people
When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Facebook at once — your profile, your posts, your comments, your messages, and any tags other people have added. Your friends will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity in their feed.
Facebook does not send a notification to your friends telling them you changed your name. They straightforward see the new name when they encounter it. Your old name does not appear in a public change log or activity history that others can see. Only you can view your own name change history in your account settings.
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 (menu) in the bottom right corner, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then find Personal information and tap Edit next to your name. On desktop, use the downward arrow in the top right instead of the menu icon, but the rest is identical.
Mobile and desktop both show you a preview of your new name before you save it. If you start the change on one device, you can finish it on another — Facebook syncs your account across all devices.
What happens if Facebook rejects your name change
If your name does not meet Facebook's standards, the platform will reject it during the review step and explain why. Common reasons include special characters, numbers that look like a username, or a name that appears to be a business or fake account. You can when ready try again with a different name without waiting.
If you believe Facebook rejected your name unfairly — for example, if your legal name contains characters Facebook's system does not recognize — you can appeal. Click the Help option on the rejection screen and describe your situation. Facebook's support team will review your case, though responses can take several days.
If Facebook repeatedly rejects your names or suspects you are trying to evade detection, it may restrict your ability to change your name or disable your account. This is rare and usually happens only if you are using fake names to impersonate someone or spam other users.
Using a different name for work, family, or privacy
Facebook allows you to use any name that looks real, even if it is not your legal name. Many people use a middle name, a nickname, a stage name, or a name from a different culture. You do not need to prove your legal identity or provide documentation — Facebook's system straightforward checks that the name you enter follows its format rules.
If you want to use a professional name for work contacts but keep your personal name for family and friends, you will have to choose one name for your main profile. Facebook does not allow multiple names on a single account or separate profiles for different purposes. Your only option is to create a separate Facebook account with a different email address, though Facebook's terms of service technically limit you to one personal account per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name back to what it was before?
Yes, but you have to wait 60 days after your last change. If you changed your name yesterday and want to revert, you cannot do so for 59 more days. When the 60-day window opens, you can change it back using the same steps.
Will my friends get a notification when I change my name?
No. Facebook does not send notifications about name changes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see your activity, but they will not receive a message or alert telling them you changed it.
What if I want to use a name with special characters or accents?
Facebook accepts letters with accents and diacritics — like é, ñ, or ü — as long as they are part of a real name. It does not accept symbols like @, #, $, or &. If your name uses accented letters, type them directly or copy them from a character map, and Facebook should recognize them.
Can I change my name without my real name showing up anywhere?
Your Facebook name is public and visible to anyone who visits your profile, depending on your privacy settings. If you want your real name hidden, you can change your profile name to a nickname or stage name, but Facebook will still have your legal name on file internally. Your legal name does not appear on your profile unless you put it there.
What if someone else is using my name on Facebook?
Report the account to Facebook by visiting their profile, clicking the three dots in the top right, and selecting Report. Choose Pretending to be someone and provide details. Facebook will investigate, but you cannot force another user to change their name. If the account is impersonating you, Facebook may remove it.