The Steps to Change Your Last Name

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to your profile. Tap or click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to Personal information and tap or click Name.

A box will appear with your current first and last name. Click or tap in the last name field and type your new last name. Facebook will show you a preview of how it will appear. When you are ready, click or tap Review change, then Save changes. Your new last name will appear on your profile when ready.

If you do not see a Name option under Personal information, you may have recently changed your name. Facebook limits how often you can change your name — typically once every 60 days. If you are within that window, you will need to wait before making another change.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your last name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name on both mobile and desktop versions of Facebook.
  • Your new last name appears on your profile right away, and all your friends will see the updated name.
  • Facebook allows name changes once every 60 days, so if you changed your name recently, you will have to wait before changing it again.
  • The name you enter must follow Facebook's name policies, which means it should be the name you go by in everyday life and cannot contain numbers, symbols, or unusual characters.
  • If your change is rejected, Facebook will tell you why and you can try again with a different name format.

What Happens When You Change Your Last Name

Once you save your new last name, it shows up on your profile page, in your friends' friend lists, and in any posts or comments you have made. Old posts do not get updated with your new name — they still show your name as it was when you posted them. Your friends will see a notification that you changed your name, but the change is not reversible through a straightforward undo. You have to go back into settings and change it again if you want to switch back.

Your username (the custom URL for your profile) does not change automatically. If you want a username that matches your new last name, you will need to change that separately through the same Settings menu, under Username. You can change your username once every 60 days as well.

Name Requirements and Rejections

Facebook has rules about what names it will accept. Your name must be the name you actually go by — not a business name, nickname, or made-up phrase. It cannot contain numbers, special characters like asterisks or hashtags, or excessive punctuation. Names that look like they are trying to game the system (for example, "John Smith Jr Jr Jr") will be rejected.

If Facebook rejects your name change, you will see a message explaining why. The most common reasons are numbers in the name, special characters, or a format that does not look like a real name. Try removing any numbers or symbols and use only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. If you have a legitimate name with unusual characters or formatting, you can appeal the rejection by clicking the option to provide more information.

Changing Your Name on Mobile vs. Desktop

The process is nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu locations are slightly different. On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right of the screen (on iPhone) or top right (on Android), then go to Settings and privacy. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Both routes lead you to the same Name option under Personal information.

Mobile can sometimes be slower to load the name change screen, especially on older phones or slower internet. If the change screen does not appear after you tap Name, try closing the Facebook app completely and opening it again. On desktop, the process is usually faster and the preview of your new name is easier to read before you confirm.

The 60-Day Waiting Period

Facebook enforces a 60-day rule between name changes to prevent spam and misuse. If you changed your name within the last 60 days, you will not be able to change it again until that period ends. The timer starts from the date you made your last change, not from when you tried to change it.

If you are locked out of changing your name, Facebook will tell you the exact date you will be able to change it again. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception. If you made a typo or mistake, you will have to wait out the 60 days before you can fix it. Plan your name change carefully to avoid this situation.

Changing Your Name Back or Fixing a Mistake

If you changed your last name and want to go back to your old one, you follow the exact same steps: go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, and type in your previous last name. Facebook does not treat a change back as a separate action — it counts as a regular name change, so you will still be subject to the 60-day waiting period before your next change.

If you made a typo (for example, you typed "Smyth" instead of "Smith"), you cannot fix it right away. You will have to wait 60 days from your last change before you can update it. For this reason, take a moment to check your spelling before you click Save changes.

Privacy and Who Sees Your Name Change

Your name change is visible to everyone on Facebook — your friends, people who search for you, and anyone who visits your profile. There is no setting to make your name change private or to hide it from certain people. If you change your last name, assume that everyone in your network will see it.

Facebook does send a notification to your friends when you change your name, but only for a short time. After a few days, the notification disappears from their feeds. Your new name will remain on your profile permanently until you change it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my last name on Facebook if I just created my account?

Yes, you can change your name when ready after creating your account. There is no waiting period for your first name change. However, once you make that first change, the 60-day rule kicks in for any changes after that.

What if Facebook rejected my name change and I do not know why?

The most common reasons are numbers, special characters, or a format that does not look like a real name. Remove any numbers or symbols and try again using only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. If you have a legitimate name with unusual formatting, click the option to appeal and explain your situation.

Will my old posts show my new last name or my old one?

Old posts will still show the name you had when you posted them. Only new posts and your profile will show your updated last name. Facebook does not retroactively change the names on past content.

Can I change my last name without changing my first name?

Yes. When you go to Settings > Personal information > Name, you can edit just the last name field and leave your first name as it is. Click or tap only in the last name box and type your new last name.

How long does it take for my new last name to show up on Facebook?

Your new last name appears on your profile when ready after you click Save changes. It will show up in your friends' feeds and on your profile right away. There is no delay or processing time.