Facebook lets you change the name that appears on your profile, and the process takes less than a minute

Facebook distinguishes between two things: your display name (what friends see on your profile and in comments) and your username (the custom URL that appears in your profile link, like facebook.com/yourname). You can change your display name as often as you want. Your username has a 60-day waiting period between changes, so choose it carefully the first time.

Both changes happen in the same settings menu. This guide walks you through each one and explains what happens after you change them.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name can be changed when ready and as many times as you want from your profile settings.
  • Your username can only be changed once every 60 days and appears in your profile URL.
  • Changes to your display name show up when ready to your friends and the public.
  • If you forget your username, you can find it by visiting your profile and looking at the URL in your browser's address bar.

How to change your display name on Facebook

Your display name is the name that appears at the top of your profile and next to your comments and posts. To change it, open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side of the page, click Personal information. You will see a field labeled Name with your current name displayed. Click the pencil icon next to it to edit. Type your new name and click Review change. Facebook will show you a preview of how the name will appear. Click Save changes to confirm.

The new name appears on your profile and in your activity when ready. Your friends will see it the next time they visit your profile or see your posts.

How to change your Facebook username

Your username is the custom web address for your profile. If your profile URL is facebook.com/john.smith.2024, then your username is john.smith.2024. To change it, go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then click Personal information again.

Scroll down to find the field labeled Username. Click the pencil icon next to it. Type your new username and click Review change. Facebook will tell you whether the username is available. If it is taken, you will need to choose a different one. Once you find one that works, click Save changes.

Your new username takes effect when ready, but you cannot change it again for 60 days. The old username will no longer work, so if you shared your profile link anywhere, update those links to your new username.

What happens to your old username after you change it

When you change your username, the old one becomes unavailable to you. You cannot claim it again, and no one else can claim it either—Facebook reserves it for 60 days. After 60 days pass, the old username may become available for someone else to use, but you still cannot reclaim it.

Any links you shared using your old username will no longer work. If you posted your profile link on a website, in an email, or in a message, update it to your new username so people can find you.

Changing your name on mobile devices

The process is the same on the Facebook app for iPhone or Android. Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information, then tap Name or Username depending on which you want to change.

Make your change and tap Review change. Confirm your new name or username by tapping Save changes. The process works identically to the desktop version.

Restrictions and things to know before you change

Facebook has a few rules about usernames. Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters long and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. It cannot contain spaces or special characters like hyphens or apostrophes. If you try to use a username that breaks these rules, Facebook will reject it and ask you to try again.

Display names have fewer restrictions—you can use spaces, punctuation, and accents. However, Facebook does not allow numbers-only display names or names that look like they are impersonating a public figure or business. If Facebook suspects you are using a fake name, it may ask you to confirm your identity with a government ID.

Remember that you can change your display name as many times as you want, but you are limited to one username change every 60 days. If you make a mistake with your username, you will have to wait two months before you can change it again.

If you cannot find the username field

Some accounts do not have a custom username—Facebook assigns them automatically. If you do not see a username field in your Personal information settings, your account may not have one yet. You can create one by clicking Create username if that option appears. Once you create a username, the 60-day waiting period applies to any future changes.

If you still cannot locate the username or name settings, make sure you are logged into the correct account and that you are in the right settings menu. Go to Settings and privacy, click Settings, then Personal information. The name and username fields should be near the top of that section.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your display name back when ready. If you want to change your username back to an old one, you will have to wait 60 days from your last change, and even then Facebook may not let you reclaim it if someone else has taken it in the meantime.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send a notification when you change your display name or username. Your friends will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see your posts, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

What if my username is already taken?

Try a variation. Add numbers, a period, or an underscore to make it unique. For example, if john.smith is taken, try john.smith.2024 or john_smith. Facebook will tell you when ready whether a username is available when you try to claim it.

Do I need to update my profile link after changing my username?

Yes, if you have shared your profile link anywhere. Your old username stops working once you change it. Update any links on your website, social media, email signature, or other places where you posted your Facebook profile URL.

Can I use special characters in my username?

No. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Spaces, hyphens, apostrophes, and other special characters are not allowed. Display names allow more characters, but usernames are limited to these four types.