The quickest way to change your Facebook name on a phone

Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap it. Select Name, clear the current name, type your new name, and tap Save Changes. The change takes effect right away, though it may take a few minutes to show up everywhere on Facebook.

If you are using a web browser on your phone instead of the app, the process is similar but the menu looks different. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top right, scroll to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name. Make your change and save it the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name directly from the mobile app by going to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you want to change it again soon.
  • Your new name shows up when ready to you, but may take a few minutes to appear to other people on the platform.
  • If you are trying to change your name to something Facebook's system flags as unusual, you may need to provide ID or wait for manual review.

What Facebook considers a valid name

Facebook has rules about what names it will accept. Your name should use the characters and alphabet your language normally uses — so English names use the Roman alphabet, Arabic names use Arabic script, and so on. Numbers, symbols, and unusual punctuation usually get rejected. Facebook also does not allow all-caps names, names that are only numbers, or names that look like a web address or email.

If you are changing to a name that does not fit these patterns — for example, a stage name, a nickname with numbers, or a name in a script Facebook does not recognize — the system may ask you to confirm your identity. You can upload a photo of your ID, a government document, or a school ID. This review usually takes a few hours to a few days.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule exists to prevent people from switching names constantly to evade detection or confuse others. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message saying when you can change it next.

If you made a typo or changed your mind when ready, contact Facebook through the app. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Help & Support > Report a Problem. Explain that you just changed your name by mistake and ask if they can reset the timer. Facebook does not always grant these requests, but it is worth asking if the change was very recent.

Changing your name back to a previous name

If you want to go back to a name you used before, Facebook treats it as a new change and still enforces the 60-day wait. You cannot straightforward revert to an old name without waiting. However, if you changed your name and then when ready realized it was wrong, the support request mentioned above sometimes works — but only if you contact them within a day or two.

Keep in mind that your old name is not stored in a way you can just pick from a list. You have to type the old name in as if it were brand new. If you had a very common name before and want to go back to it, make sure you spell it exactly as it was.

Why your name change might be rejected

Facebook's system automatically rejects names that look fake, offensive, or designed to impersonate someone. Common reasons for rejection include: using numbers or symbols where they do not belong, writing the entire name in capital letters, using characters that do not match your language, or using a name that looks like a URL or email address.

If your name is rejected, Facebook shows you a message explaining why. Read it carefully — it usually tells you exactly what the problem is. For example, if it says "Names cannot contain numbers," remove any digits. If it says "Please use characters from your language," switch to the correct alphabet. Then try again. If you still cannot figure out why it is being rejected, the Report a Problem option in Settings can connect you with someone who can explain further.

Changing your name does not change your username

Your Facebook name and your username are two different things. Your name is what appears on your profile and in posts — the thing you just changed. Your username is the handle that appears in your profile URL, like facebook.com/yourname. Changing your name does not change your username.

If you want to change your username as well, that is a separate process. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Username. You can change your username once every 60 days, just like your name. Usernames have their own rules — they must be between 5 and 50 characters, use only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be someone else's username.

What happens to your old name after you change it

When you change your name, your old name disappears from your profile when ready. People who knew you by your old name will see your new name the next time they look at your profile. Old posts, comments, and messages you sent still show your new name, not your old one — Facebook does not keep a public record of your previous names.

However, Facebook's internal systems do keep a record of name changes for security and moderation purposes. If someone reports you for impersonation or fraud, Facebook can see your history. This is one reason the 60-day rule exists — it makes it harder for someone to switch names repeatedly to avoid consequences.

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 it sooner, the system will not allow it and will tell you when you can change it next. The only exception is if you contact Facebook support when ready after a mistake and they manually reset the timer, which they do not always do.

What if Facebook says my name is not allowed?

Read the error message Facebook shows you — it usually explains what is wrong. Common issues are numbers in the name, all capital letters, or characters that do not match your language. Fix the problem and try again. If you still cannot figure it out, use the Report a Problem option in Settings to ask for help.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook friends or messages?

No. Your friends will see your new name, but changing it does not delete any friendships or messages. Old messages you sent still exist and now show your new name. Your friends will straightforward see the updated name the next time they look at your profile or see your activity.

Can I use a fake name or stage name on Facebook?

Facebook's rules say you should use the name you go by in everyday life. A stage name or nickname is sometimes allowed if it is what people actually call you, but Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity with a photo ID. If Facebook flags your name as unusual, upload ID to prove it is real.

What if I forgot what my old name was?

Facebook does not show you a list of your previous names. If you cannot remember it, you can type in any name you want — Facebook treats it as a new change and applies the 60-day rule. There is no way to recover or see a history of your old names through the app.