The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device and go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information, then find Name and click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided — Facebook separates first name, middle name, and last name — then click Review change and Save changes.

The whole process takes about one minute. Your new name appears on your profile and in comments, posts, and messages within minutes. Facebook does not send you a confirmation email or ask you to verify anything — the change is live as soon as you save it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, then edit and save.
  • Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
  • Your new name shows up everywhere on Facebook — your profile, comments, messages, and tags — within minutes.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a stage name, or any combination Facebook's system accepts, as long as it follows their name standards.
  • If Facebook rejects your name, it usually means special characters, numbers, or symbols that the platform does not allow in names.

Where to find the name field on mobile

On iPhone or Android, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information and then Name. The edit screen works the same way as on a computer — type your new name and tap Review change, then Save changes.

Mobile and desktop versions save to the same account, so a name change on your phone updates your profile on all devices when ready. You do not need to log out or refresh anything.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. If you try to change your name before that window closes, Facebook shows a message telling you when you can change it again. The 60 days starts from the date you last saved a name change, not from when you started editing.

This rule applies whether you are changing from "John Smith" to "Jon Smith" or from your real name to a completely different one. There is no way around the waiting period — you have to wait the full 60 days. If you made a typo or need to fix capitalization, you still have to wait.

What names Facebook accepts and rejects

Facebook accepts letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes in names. You can use accented letters like é, ñ, or ü. The platform rejects numbers, symbols like @, &, or !, and most special characters. Names that are all numbers or all symbols will not save.

Facebook also rejects names that look like they are trying to trick the system — for example, names with repeated characters like "Jooooohn" or names that are obviously not meant to identify a person. If your name is rejected, remove numbers and symbols, check your spelling, and try again. If it is still rejected, Facebook's system may flag it as not meeting their name standards, and you would need to use a different variation.

Using a stage name, nickname, or non-legal name

Your Facebook name does not have to be your legal name. You can use a stage name, nickname, pen name, or any other name you go by, as long as it follows Facebook's character rules. Many musicians, artists, and writers use professional names on Facebook instead of their legal names.

If you use a nickname or stage name, Facebook does not ask for proof or verification. The name you enter is the name that appears on your profile. You can change it again after 60 days if you want to switch back to your legal name or try something different.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile, comments, and messages. People who knew you by your old name will see your new name everywhere. Old posts and comments you made still exist, but they show your new name as the author, not your old one.

If someone tagged you in a photo under your old name, the tag still works and shows your new name. Your friends do not get a notification that you changed your name — they just see it the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed. There is no public record of your name history on your profile.

If your name change does not save

If you click Save changes and nothing happens, or if you get an error message, try these steps: refresh the page or close the app and open it again, make sure you are using a supported browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge), and check that your name does not contain numbers or symbols.

If the problem continues, log out of Facebook completely, wait a few minutes, and log back in. Then go to Settings and try again. If Facebook still rejects your name after you have removed all numbers and special characters, contact Facebook through the Help Center by going to Settings > Help and support > Report a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. After you change your name, you have to wait 60 days before you can change it again. The timer starts from the date you saved your last name change, not from when you started editing.

Will my friends get notified when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they will not receive an alert or message about the change.

Can I use special characters or numbers in my Facebook name?

No. Facebook only accepts letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Numbers, symbols like @, &, or !, and most special characters will cause your name change to be rejected. Accented letters like é and ñ are allowed.

What if I want to change my name back to my old one?

You can change your name back anytime, but you have to wait 60 days from your last name change. If you changed your name today, you cannot change it back until 60 days have passed. After that, you can edit your name to whatever you want.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your username and profile URL stay the same when you change your display name. Your username is a separate setting that you can edit independently. People can still find you by your old username even after you change your display name.