The quickest way to change your Facebook profile name

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left menu, click Personal Information, then click next to your name. Type your new name and click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears across the platform, and you can confirm or go back to edit it.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your new name shows up when ready to your friends and the public, depending on your privacy settings. You can change it again after 60 days if you need to adjust it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name.
  • Facebook requires you to wait 60 days between name changes, so choose carefully the first time.
  • Your new name appears right away to friends and followers, but you control who sees it through your privacy settings.
  • Facebook has rules about what counts as a real name — numbers, symbols, and repeated characters may be rejected.
  • If you change your name frequently or use characters Facebook flags, your account may be temporarily locked for review.

Where to find the name field on mobile and desktop

On mobile (iPhone or Android), tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal Information, then tap the line that shows your current name. A text box will open where you can edit it.

On desktop, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of any Facebook page. Click Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left sidebar, click Personal Information. You will see your name listed with an edit button next to it. Click to open the name field and type your new name.

What Facebook considers a valid name

Facebook requires names to follow certain rules. Your name should contain only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Numbers, symbols (like @, #, or &), and repeated characters (like "Jooohn" or "Sm1th") will be rejected. Facebook also flags names that look like usernames or business names rather than real personal names.

If you want to use a nickname, middle name, or name in a different alphabet, Facebook usually accepts these as long as they follow the character rules. If your name is rejected, Facebook will tell you why and ask you to try again. You can also use your username (the custom URL part of your profile) separately from your display name if you want something different for your profile link.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule applies whether you change it once or multiple times — the clock resets each time you make a change. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message telling you when you can change it next.

This waiting period exists to prevent abuse and keep accounts find. If someone gains access to your account, the 60-day rule makes it harder for them to hide by changing your name repeatedly. Plan your name change carefully, because you will be stuck with it for two months.

What happens if Facebook locks your account for review

If you change your name too often, use characters Facebook considers suspicious, or change your name in ways that look like account abuse, Facebook may temporarily lock your account for review. When this happens, you will see a message saying your account is under review, and you may not be able to post, message, or change settings until the review is complete.

Reviews usually take a few hours to a few days. Facebook's automated systems check whether your name follows their rules and whether your account activity looks legitimate. If your account is locked, do not try to change your name again — wait for the review to finish. If you believe the lock is a mistake, you can report it through the help center, though response times vary.

How your new name appears across Facebook

Your new name shows up on your profile, in comments you post, in messages, and in friend requests. It also appears in search results and on other people's pages when they tag you in photos or posts. The change is when ready — you do not need to log out and back in.

Your privacy settings control who can see your profile and posts, but they do not hide your name from people who are already your friends or who can see your profile. If you want to limit who sees your name, you would need to change your overall profile visibility, not just your name. Your friends will see the name change in their notifications, and some may see it in their activity feed.

Changing your username separately from your display name

Your username is different from your display name. Your display name is what appears on your profile and in posts. Your username is the custom URL — the part that comes after facebook.com/ in your profile link. You can change your username separately, and it does not count toward the 60-day waiting period for display name changes.

To change your username, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information and look for the Username field. You can change it once every 60 days as well. Usernames must be at least five characters long and can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. If someone else has already claimed the username you want, you will not be able to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last name change. If you changed your name and want to revert, you will need to wait the full 60 days before you can do so. After 60 days, go back to Settings > Personal Information > Name and type your old name.

Will my friends get notified when I change my name?

Yes. Your friends may see a notification that you changed your name, and some may see it in their activity feed. The notification usually appears within a few minutes of the change. People who are not your friends will only see your new name if they visit your profile or see your posts.

What if Facebook rejects my name as invalid?

Facebook will tell you why it rejected your name — usually because it contains numbers, symbols, or repeated characters. Remove those characters and try again. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, you can report the issue through the help center, but Facebook's decision is final in most cases.

Can I use a fake name or stage name on Facebook?

Facebook's rules say you should use the name you go by in everyday life, but the platform does not verify your identity. If you use a stage name, nickname, or name in a different alphabet and it follows the character rules, Facebook usually accepts it. However, if your account is reported or reviewed, Facebook may ask you to change it to match your legal name.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or profile link?

No. Your display name and username are separate. Changing your display name does not change your username or your profile link. If you want a different profile link, you need to change your username separately through the same Settings menu.