The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device, go to the menu (three horizontal lines on mobile, the down arrow on desktop), and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Personal information on the left side, then Name. Type your new name in the field that appears, click Review change, and then Save changes. The new name shows up on your profile and in comments when ready.

The whole process takes less than a minute. You do not need to restart the app or refresh your browser — Facebook updates your name across the platform right away.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name from Settings > Personal information > Name on both mobile and desktop versions.
  • Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
  • Your new name appears everywhere on your profile, in comments, and in messages as soon as you save it.
  • If you use a fake name or one that breaks Facebook's rules, the platform may revert it or ask you to change it again.
  • You can change back to a previous name without waiting the full 60 days if Facebook has a record of it.

Where to find the name change option on mobile

On an iPhone or Android phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of the Facebook app. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Personal information and tap it. You will see Name listed there — tap it to open the edit field.

Type your new name exactly as you want it to appear. Facebook shows you a preview of how it will look before you save. Tap Review change to see the preview, then tap Save changes at the bottom of the screen. If you change your mind before saving, tap the back arrow to cancel.

Where to find the name change option on desktop

On a computer, click the down arrow in the top right corner of Facebook (next to your profile picture). Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side menu, click Personal information. You will see your name listed — click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

Type your new name in the box that opens. Click Review change to see how it will appear on your profile. Then click Save changes. If you want to undo it, you can change it back right away, but you will still use up your one change for the 60-day period.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. This rule applies whether you change your name on purpose or Facebook forces you to change it because it violates their naming rules. The 60-day timer starts from the date you made the last change, not from when you tried to make a new one.

If you made a mistake and want to change your name again before 60 days have passed, you cannot do it through the normal settings. However, if you are changing back to a name Facebook has seen on your account before, you may be able to do it without waiting. Contact Facebook through the Help Center to ask about reverting to a previous name.

Names Facebook will not accept

Facebook requires names to follow certain rules. You cannot use numbers, symbols, or characters that are not part of a real name. Fake names, business names, and names written entirely in uppercase letters will be rejected. Names that include profanity, slurs, or references to illegal activity will also be flagged.

If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, Facebook will show you an error message and ask you to try again. The change will not save until you use a name that fits their guidelines. If you have already changed to a name that violates the rules and Facebook has not caught it yet, they may revert it without warning and ask you to choose a different name.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and from new comments and messages. However, old posts and comments you made under your previous name will still show that old name if someone looks at them in your timeline or in the comments section of other people's posts. Facebook does not retroactively update the name on past activity.

People who were tagged in photos or posts with your old name will still see that old name in the tag, even after you change it. If you want to remove tags or edit old posts, you will need to do that separately through your timeline or the post itself.

Changing your name back to a previous one

If you change your name and then want to go back to what it was before, you can do that, but it still counts as a name change for the 60-day rule. For example, if you change from "Sarah" to "Sara" and then back to "Sarah" within 60 days, you have used up your one allowed change and cannot change again until 60 days have passed from the first change.

The exception is if you are reverting to a name that Facebook has a record of you using in the past. In that case, you may be able to change back without using up your 60-day allowance. To learn about this applies to you, go to the Help Center and search for "name change" or contact Facebook support directly through the Settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, the system will not let you save it and will show you an error message telling you when you can change it again.

Will my friends see a notification when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send notifications to your friends when you change your name. They will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in a comment or message, but there is no alert or announcement about the change.

What if Facebook says my name violates their rules?

Facebook will show you an error message and ask you to choose a different name. Common reasons for rejection are numbers, symbols, all uppercase letters, or words that are not real names. Try using only letters and spaces, with the first letter of each word capitalized, and try again.

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my real name?

Facebook's policy says names should be the name you go by in everyday life. Nicknames and stage names are sometimes accepted if they are what people actually call you, but Facebook may ask you to change it if they believe it is not a real name. Using your legal name is the safest option.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your username (the part of your profile URL that comes after facebook.com/) is separate from your display name. Changing your name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, you do that in a different section of Settings under "Username."