Where to Find the Name Change Option

To change your Facebook profile name, open Facebook on your phone or computer and go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner (on desktop) or bottom menu (on mobile). Select "Settings & privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down to "Personal information" and click "Name." Facebook will open a box with your current first and last name already filled in.

On mobile, the path is slightly different but leads to the same place. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down to "Settings & privacy," tap "Settings," then find "Personal information" and tap "Name."

Key Takeaways

  • Your name change takes effect when ready, but it may take a few minutes to appear across all your Facebook pages and to people viewing your profile.
  • Facebook limits how often you can change your name — typically once every 60 days, though this can vary.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a maiden name, or a name you go by professionally, as long as it follows Facebook's name standards.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it usually means the name contains symbols, numbers, or characters that violate their policies — try removing those and resubmitting.

What Names Facebook Will and Won't Accept

Facebook has specific rules about what counts as a valid name. Your name must contain only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Numbers, symbols, emojis, and special characters will cause Facebook to reject the change. For example, "Mary-Jane O'Connor" works, but "Mary Jane 2.0" or "Mary_Jane" does not.

Your name also cannot be all capital letters, cannot look like a URL or email address, and cannot include titles like "Dr." or "Jr." at the beginning (though you can add them at the end if you want). If you use a stage name, pen name, or name you go by professionally, Facebook allows that as long as it follows the character rules above.

How Often You Can Change Your Name

Facebook typically allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you try to change it more often than that, you will see a message saying you have already changed your name recently and need to wait. The exact waiting period can vary depending on your account history and region, but 60 days is the standard.

If you made a typo or need to fix something right away, contact Facebook through the Help Center and explain the situation. They do not always grant exceptions, but it is worth asking if the error is genuine.

What Happens After You Submit the Change

Once you type in your new name and click "Review Change," Facebook shows you a preview of how your name will appear. Check it carefully — this is your final note to catch a typo before it goes live. Click "Save Changes" to confirm.

Your new name takes effect when ready on your own profile, but it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere else on Facebook — in your friends' friend lists, in comments you have made, in old posts, and in search results. During this time, some people may still see your old name. This is normal and will resolve on its own within a few minutes to a few hours.

If Facebook Rejects Your Name Change

The most common reason Facebook rejects a name is that it contains characters not allowed in names. Remove any numbers, symbols, underscores, periods, or emojis and try again. If your name includes a hyphen or apostrophe, make sure it is in the right place — "Mary-Jane" works, but "Mary--Jane" or "Mary''Jane" does not.

If your name is rejected and you believe it follows Facebook's rules, you can report the issue through the Help Center. Describe your name and why you believe it should be allowed. Facebook reviews these reports, though responses can take several days. In the meantime, you can try a slightly different version of your name that still represents you accurately.

Changing Your Name Back or Making Another Change

If you change your mind about your new name, you can change it again — but you will have to wait 60 days from your last change. There is no way to speed this up or undo a change when ready. If you made a genuine mistake (like a typo), you can contact Facebook's Help Center and ask them to review your situation, but they do not always grant exceptions.

Keep in mind that when you change your name, old posts, comments, and messages still show your old name in some places. Facebook does not retroactively update your name everywhere in the system — only going forward and on your current profile.

How Your Name Change Affects Your Privacy and Tagging

Changing your name does not affect your privacy settings or who can see your profile. Your friends, followers, and anyone else who had permission to see your profile before the change can still see it after. The change is purely cosmetic — it updates what your name displays as, nothing more.

If you have been tagged in photos or posts under your old name, those tags do not automatically update to your new name. The tags remain as they were. However, when people search for you by your new name, your profile will appear in the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name to something that is not my real name?

Yes. Facebook allows nicknames, stage names, pen names, and names you go by professionally, as long as they follow the character rules (letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes only). You do not have to use your legal name.

What if someone else has the name I want to use?

Facebook allows multiple people to have the same name. You can use any name that follows their rules, even if thousands of other people have it. Your unique profile URL and user ID are what distinguish your account.

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

Not normally. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you need an exception, contact Facebook's Help Center and explain your situation, but they do not always grant exceptions.

Will my old name still appear in my message history?

Yes. Messages you sent before the name change will still show your old name as the sender. Only your current profile and new posts will display your new name. Facebook does not update historical messages.

Do I need to tell my friends about my name change?

No. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed. Facebook does not send notifications about name changes, so if you want people to know, you can post about it or tell them directly.