The fastest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device, go to your profile, and click the pencil icon next to your name at the top. Select "Edit Name," type your new name into the fields provided, and click "Review Change." Facebook will show you how the new name appears, then ask you to confirm. Once you submit, the change takes effect when ready across your account.

You can change your name on desktop, mobile web, or the Facebook app — the steps are identical. The whole process takes under two minutes. Facebook stores a record of your name changes, but only you and people you've blocked can see that history.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name from your profile page by clicking the pencil icon next to your current name and selecting "Edit Name."
  • Name changes take effect when ready and are visible to all your friends and the public, depending on your privacy settings.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
  • Your old name is not visible to other people, but Facebook keeps a record you can view in your activity log if you need to verify past names.

Where to find the name change option on desktop

Log into Facebook and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Profile" from the dropdown menu. On your profile page, look for your name at the top — you'll see a small pencil icon next to it. Click that pencil icon, and a menu will appear with the option "Edit Name" at the top.

If you don't see the pencil icon, make sure you're on your own profile, not someone else's. You can only edit your own name. Once you click "Edit Name," Facebook opens a form with separate fields for your first name and last name (or whatever name format you use).

How to change your name on mobile or the Facebook app

Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right on Android. Tap "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Personal Information," then "Name." The name editor will open with your current name displayed.

Type your new name into the fields, then tap "Review Change" at the bottom. Facebook shows you a preview of how your new name will appear. Tap "Confirm" to finish. The change publishes when ready to your profile.

The 60-day waiting period between name changes

Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. If you've changed your name recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. This rule applies whether you change your name once or multiple times — the clock resets each time you make a change.

If you need to change your name before 60 days have passed, you cannot bypass this limit through Facebook's standard tools. Your only option is to contact Facebook Support and explain why you need an exception, though Facebook rarely grants these requests outside of legal name changes or safety concerns.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook accepts most combinations of letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use all numbers, all symbols, or characters that don't appear on a standard keyboard. Accented letters and non-Latin alphabets are allowed — Facebook supports names in Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, and many other writing systems.

Your name must be at least two characters long. Facebook also rejects names that appear to be fake — for example, a string of random letters or a name designed to look like a URL. If Facebook rejects your name choice, it will tell you why and ask you to try again with a different name.

How your name change affects your privacy and visibility

Your new name is visible to everyone who can see your profile, based on your privacy settings. If your profile is public, your new name is public. If your profile is visible only to friends, only friends see your new name. Changing your name does not change who can see your profile — it only updates what they see when they look at it.

Your old name does not appear on your profile or in your friends' feeds. However, Facebook keeps a record of all your past names in your activity log. You can view this list yourself by going to your profile, clicking the three dots next to "Edit Profile," and selecting "Activity Log." Only you can see this history — your friends cannot.

Changing your name back or making multiple changes

You can change your name back to a previous name, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert, you follow the same process: click the pencil icon, select "Edit Name," type your old name, and confirm. The 60-day timer applies whether you're changing to a new name or reverting to an old one.

If you need to make several name changes in a short period — for example, if you're testing different professional names or going through a legal name change process — you'll have to space them out. Plan your changes so you don't hit the 60-day limit unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name to something with numbers or symbols?

Yes, Facebook accepts numbers, hyphens, apostrophes, and spaces in names. However, your name cannot be all numbers, all symbols, or contain characters that don't appear on a standard keyboard. If Facebook rejects your choice, try removing symbols or spacing out letters differently.

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. Your new name appears on your profile when ready, but friends only see it if they visit your profile or see you in their feed. There is no "name change alert" in the notification center.

What if Facebook says my name change is rejected?

Facebook rejects names that appear fake, contain only numbers or symbols, or use characters outside standard keyboards. If rejected, try a simpler version — remove accents, use standard letters, or add a space. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, you can report the issue through Facebook's help center.

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

No, Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between all name changes. If you need an exception for a legal name change or safety reason, contact Facebook Support, but exceptions are rare. Otherwise, you must wait the full 60 days before changing your name again.

Does changing my name affect my username or profile URL?

No, your username and profile URL remain the same when you change your display name. Your username is a separate setting that you can customize independently. People can still find you by your old username or profile URL even after you change your display name.