Change your surname in Facebook settings

To change your surname on Facebook, open the app or website and go to the menu in the top right corner. Select Settings & privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to find Personal information and tap or click it. You will see a field labeled Name — tap or click to edit it.

Facebook will show you your current first and last name in separate boxes. Delete the old surname and type the new one. When you are done, click Review change at the bottom. Facebook will ask you to confirm — read the message and click Save changes. Your new surname will appear on your profile within a few minutes.

On a computer, the steps are the same: menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, Settings & privacy, then Settings, then Personal information, then Name. Type the new surname and save.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings & privacy, then Settings, then Personal information to find the Name field where you can edit your surname.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so you cannot change it again when ready after this change.
  • Your new surname will show on your profile, posts, and comments within a few minutes of saving the change.
  • If you see an error message saying the name violates Facebook's standards, try removing numbers, symbols, or unusual spacing.
  • The change is visible to everyone on your friends list and anyone who visits your profile, unless you have restricted who can see your name.

What Facebook considers a valid surname

Facebook has rules about what characters and formats it will accept in a name. You can use letters, numbers, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes. Names like "Mary-Jane," "O'Brien," and "Jean-Pierre" are all accepted. Spaces between parts of your surname are allowed — for example, "de la Cruz" works fine.

Facebook will reject names that contain only numbers, names with excessive punctuation or symbols, or names that look like they are trying to advertise something. If you see an error message when you try to save, remove any numbers at the end, take out extra spaces, or simplify punctuation. If your surname genuinely includes numbers or symbols as part of your legal name, you may need to contact Facebook's support team to explain.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your surname, Facebook will not let you change it again for 60 days. This rule applies whether you are changing your first name, last name, or both. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

If you made a typo or changed your mind, you have to wait the full 60 days before you can fix it. Plan your change carefully so you do not have to wait if you notice a mistake right after saving. The 60-day timer starts the moment you click Save changes, not when Facebook processes the change.

Changing your surname on mobile versus desktop

The process is nearly identical on the Facebook app and on a computer, but the menu locations look slightly different. On the app, the menu icon is three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). On a computer, it is three horizontal lines in the top right corner of the page.

Both routes take you to the same Settings & privacy menu and the same Personal information section. The name field works the same way on both — you delete the old surname, type the new one, and save. If you are having trouble finding the setting on your phone, try using a computer instead, or update your Facebook app to the latest version.

Who can see your new surname after the change

By default, your new surname is visible to everyone on Facebook — your friends, people who are not your friends, and anyone searching for you by name. The change shows up on your profile, on all your past posts and comments, and in search results. If you have a common surname, this means more people may find you when they search.

If you want to limit who sees your name, go back to Settings & privacy, then Settings, then Privacy. You can adjust who can see your profile, but Facebook does not have a separate setting to hide just your surname. Your name is tied to your overall profile visibility, so limiting who sees your name means limiting who can see your profile at all.

What to do if you cannot change your surname

If you see an error message when you try to save your new surname, the most common reason is that Facebook thinks the name violates its standards. This usually means the name contains numbers, symbols, or spacing that looks unusual. Try removing numbers, taking out extra spaces, or simplifying punctuation, then try again.

If you still cannot save the change after trying different versions of the name, or if you believe your surname is being rejected unfairly, you can contact Facebook's support team. Go to Settings & privacy, then Settings, then scroll to the bottom and select Help & support. Choose Report a problem and describe what happened. Facebook will review your case, though responses can take several days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my surname back to my old one right away?

No. You must wait 60 days from the date you made the change before you can change your name again. If you changed your surname today, you cannot change it back for 60 days. Plan your change carefully to avoid this wait.

Will my old surname still show up in search results after I change it?

No. Search results update within a few minutes. People searching for your old surname will not find your profile anymore. However, if someone has a screenshot or remembers your old name, they may still know who you are.

Does changing my surname on Facebook change my legal name?

No. Facebook is a social media platform, not a legal document. Changing your name on Facebook does not change your legal surname with the government, your bank, your employer, or any other organization. You would need to file paperwork with your local court or vital records office to change your legal name.

What if my surname has a space in the middle, like "de la Cruz"?

Facebook accepts spaces in surnames. Type your full surname with spaces exactly as you want it to appear, and it will save. Names like "de la Cruz," "van der Berg," and "Mary Jane" (if that is your actual surname) all work fine.

Can I use a nickname or stage name as my surname instead of my legal name?

Yes. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name — you can use a nickname, stage name, or any other name you go by, as long as it follows Facebook's naming standards. Many performers, artists, and people who go by a different name use their preferred name on Facebook.