The fastest way to change your last name on Facebook
Open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to your profile, and click the pencil icon next to your name at the top. Select "Edit name" from the menu. Type your new last name into the surname field, choose the date you want the change to show as public, and click "Review change." Facebook will show you how your new name appears across the platform. Click "Save changes" and you're done — the change takes effect when ready.
On mobile, the steps are the same: tap your profile picture, tap your name at the top, tap the pencil icon, and follow the same flow. The whole process takes under a minute.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your last name directly from your profile using the pencil icon next to your name, without visiting settings.
- Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple corrections.
- You can choose whether your name change is visible to friends when ready or hidden from the activity log.
- The new name appears on your profile, in comments, in messages, and everywhere else your account shows up within minutes.
Where to find the name edit option
The pencil icon sits directly next to your name on your profile page, not buried in settings. On desktop, click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click your name when your profile opens. The pencil appears to the right of your full name. On mobile, tap your profile picture, then tap your name at the top of the screen — the pencil icon will be visible next to it.
If you do not see the pencil icon, make sure you are logged into your own account and viewing your own profile, not someone else's. You can only edit your own name.
What Facebook shows you before you confirm
After you type your new last name and click "Review change," Facebook displays a preview showing exactly how your name will appear across the platform — in your profile header, in comments, in messages, and in search results. This preview is your chance to catch typos or spacing errors before the change goes live.
You also choose a date for when the change becomes public. You can set it to today, or pick any date in the past. This date does not affect when the change takes effect on your account — it only controls whether friends see a notification about the name change in their activity feed.
The 60-day waiting period between name changes
Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it again before 60 days have passed since your last change, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. This limit applies whether you change your first name, last name, or both.
If you made a typo or misspelled your new name, you have to wait the full 60 days before you can fix it. For this reason, use the preview screen carefully before clicking "Save changes."
How the name change appears to other people
Your new last name shows up everywhere your account appears: your profile, your comments on posts, your messages, your tags in photos, and search results. Friends will see the change reflected when ready on their end. If you chose to make the name change public in the date-selection step, they may also see a notification in their activity feed saying you changed your name.
The change does not affect your username (the handle in your profile URL), your email address, or your login credentials. You still log in with the same email and password.
What to do if you cannot find the edit option
If the pencil icon is not appearing next to your name, check that you are viewing your own profile while logged in. You cannot edit anyone else's name. If you are on your own profile and still do not see the pencil, try logging out and logging back in, or try the change on a different browser or device.
If the problem persists, Facebook may have temporarily restricted name changes on your account due to repeated changes or a report from another user. In that case, you will need to wait before trying again. Facebook does not provide a specific timeline for lifting these restrictions, but waiting several weeks usually resolves the issue.
Changing your name on Facebook versus other platforms
Facebook is one of the few platforms that lets you change your name without going through settings or a separate form. Instagram, which is owned by Meta (the same company), requires you to go to Settings > Account > Name to make the change. Twitter and LinkedIn have similar processes buried in account settings rather than on your profile itself.
If you are changing your name across multiple platforms, Facebook is usually the quickest. Write down your new name exactly as you want it spelled before you start, so you can copy it consistently to other accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my last name without changing my first name?
Yes. When you click "Edit name," you can change just the surname field and leave your first name as is. The 60-day waiting period applies to any change to either field, so changing only your last name counts as one change.
Will my old name still show up in search results?
No. Once the change takes effect, search results will show your new name. Old posts and comments you made under your previous name will still display your old name on those specific posts, but your profile and current activity will show the new name.
What if I want to use a name with special characters or numbers?
Facebook has rules about what characters are allowed in names. You cannot use numbers, symbols, or repeated punctuation. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, Facebook will reject it and ask you to revise. Stick to letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes.
Can I change my name back to my old one right away?
No. Changing back counts as a new name change, so you have to wait 60 days from your most recent change. If you changed your name today, you cannot change it again until 60 days from now, whether you are changing to something new or reverting to your old name.
Does changing my name affect my Facebook friends or messages?
No. Your friends list, messages, and chat history all stay the same. Your friends will straightforward see your new name the next time they look at your profile or see you in their feed. Existing messages will show your new name going forward.