The fastest way to change your name on Facebook

Open the Facebook app on your phone, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the Personal Information section, tap Name, type your new name in the field, and tap Save Changes. The change takes effect when ready in your profile and across Facebook.

You can change your name as often as you want, but Facebook enforces a waiting period between changes. If you just changed your name, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again — usually 60 days later. This limit exists to prevent spam and impersonation.

Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, in messages, and on posts you share. People who already know you will see the change in their notifications. If you have a business page or creator account, the process is the same, but the name change applies only to your personal profile unless you also update the page separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name to reach the name change field in the Facebook app.
  • Your new name takes effect when ready across all of Facebook once you tap Save Changes.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes to prevent misuse, and the app will tell you the exact date you can change it again.
  • The name you enter must follow Facebook's naming rules: it should be the name you go by in everyday life, not a nickname, business name, or string of numbers.
  • If you have a business page or creator account, changing your personal profile name does not automatically change the page name.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires your name to be the one you use in daily life — the name friends and family call you. You cannot use all capital letters, numbers, symbols, or repeated characters. Names like "SARAH OKAFOR", "Sarah123", or "S@r@h" will be rejected.

You can include accents, hyphens, and apostrophes if they are part of your actual name. Middle names and initials are allowed. If your name contains characters from another language or script, Facebook will accept them as long as they are genuine parts of your name.

If you try to enter a name that breaks these rules, Facebook will show an error message and prevent you from saving. The message usually tells you what part of the name caused the problem — for example, "Names cannot contain numbers" or "This name doesn't follow our naming standards." Go back, edit the name, and try again.

Changing your name back to a previous one

If you changed your name and want to revert to an old one, you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. Facebook treats a reversion the same way it treats any other name change, so the waiting period applies even if you are going back to a name you used before.

The one exception is if you made a typo or spelling error. Contact Facebook Support through the app by going to Settings & Privacy, then Help & Support, then Report a Problem. Explain that you made a spelling mistake and ask them to reset your name-change timer. Support sometimes grants this request, but there is no may provide.

How to change your name on Facebook from a computer

If you are using a web browser instead of the app, the steps are similar. Click the downward arrow at the top right of the page, click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information, then click Name. Type your new name and click Save Changes.

The waiting period and naming rules are identical on the web version. Your change syncs across the app and the website when ready, so if you change your name on your phone, it updates on your computer automatically and vice versa.

What happens when you change your name

Your new name appears everywhere on Facebook — your profile, your comments, your messages, and your posts. People who follow you will see a notification that you changed your name. Old posts and comments you made before the change still show your new name, not the old one.

Your username (the custom URL in your profile link) does not change automatically. If you want a new username to match your new name, you have to change it separately in the same Personal Information section. Usernames have their own rules and waiting periods.

If you have a Facebook Page (for a business, creator account, or public figure), changing your personal profile name does not change the Page name. You have to edit the Page name through the Page settings separately.

Troubleshooting name change problems

If the Save Changes button does not work, make sure you are connected to the internet and that you have the latest version of the Facebook app. Close the app completely and reopen it. If the problem persists, try changing your name from a web browser instead.

If Facebook rejected your name, read the error message carefully. It usually tells you exactly what rule you broke — numbers are not allowed, symbols are not allowed, all capitals are not allowed, or the name does not follow naming standards. Edit the name to remove the offending part and try again.

If you see a message that you have to wait before changing your name again, that is the 60-day timer. You cannot bypass this wait. Mark the date on your calendar and try again when the timer expires. If you believe the timer is wrong or you made a genuine spelling error, contact Facebook Support as described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once?

Yes, you can change your name as many times as you want, but you must wait 60 days between changes. After you change your name, Facebook will show you the exact date when you can change it again. This timer resets each time you make a change.

Will my friends see my old name if I change it?

No. All of your old posts, comments, and messages will show your new name. Your friends will receive a notification that you changed your name, but they will not see your old name anywhere on Facebook unless they look at old screenshots or messages they saved outside of Facebook.

What if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

This usually means your name contains offensive language, impersonates a public figure, or looks like a fake account. Go back and choose a different name that follows Facebook's naming rules. If you believe your real name was rejected by mistake, contact Facebook Support and explain the situation.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your username and profile URL stay the same when you change your name. If you want a new username that matches your new name, you have to change it separately in the Personal Information section. Usernames have their own 60-day waiting period between changes.

Can I change my name on a business page?

Your personal profile name and your business page name are separate. Changing your personal name does not change the page name. To change a business page name, go to the page, click Settings, click Edit Page Info, and change the name there. Business pages have different naming rules than personal profiles.