Where to find the group name setting

To change your Facebook group name, you need to be the group admin or have been given permission to manage the group. Open the group, then look for the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) at the top right of the group header. Tap or click it, then select Edit group settings. This takes you to a page where you can change the group name along with other details like the description and privacy level.

If you do not see Edit group settings in that menu, you do not have admin rights for the group. Ask the person who created the group or the current admin to give you that permission, or to make the change for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Only group admins or members with editing permission can change the group name through the settings menu.
  • The group name change takes effect when ready, but all members will see the new name the next time they open the group.
  • Facebook allows you to change the group name as many times as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • If you change the group name, the group's web address (URL) stays the same, so old links to the group still work.

Step-by-step instructions for desktop

On a computer, go to your group and look at the top of the page. Click the three horizontal lines icon in the upper right corner of the group header. A dropdown menu appears. Select Edit group settings from that menu.

On the settings page, you will see a field labeled Group name at the top. Click inside that field and delete the current name. Type the new name you want. Facebook allows up to 255 characters, though shorter names are easier for members to remember and type. Once you have entered the new name, scroll down and click the Save button at the bottom of the page.

Step-by-step instructions for mobile

Open the Facebook app on your phone and navigate to your group. At the top of the group page, tap the three horizontal lines icon. Scroll down and tap Edit group settings. This opens the settings page on your phone.

Find the Group name field and tap it to select the text. Delete the old name and type the new one. Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Save. The change takes effect right away, though it may take a moment for the new name to appear on all members' screens.

What happens when you change the group name

The new name appears when ready in your own view of the group. All members of the group will see the updated name the next time they refresh the group page or close and reopen the app. Facebook does not send a notification to members about the name change, so if it is a significant change, you may want to post an announcement in the group explaining why.

The group's web address does not change when you rename it. If someone has a link to the group or has bookmarked it, that link still works and takes them to the group with the new name. This is helpful if the group has been around for a while and members have shared the link in other places.

Restrictions and things to know

Facebook does not limit how often you can change a group name. You can change it back and forth as many times as you want with no waiting period. However, if Facebook detects that you are changing the group name very frequently in a short time, the system may temporarily prevent further changes as a spam safeguard.

Group names cannot contain certain characters or symbols, and Facebook will reject names that violate its community standards — for example, names that include hate speech, sexual content, or spam. If you try to save a name and it is rejected, Facebook will show an error message explaining why. Try a different name that follows the guidelines.

If you cannot find the edit settings option

If the Edit group settings option does not appear in your menu, you likely do not have admin rights. Only the group creator and members who have been given admin or moderator status can change the group name. Ask the group creator or an existing admin to either make the change for you or to promote you to admin status.

If you are the group creator but still do not see the option, try logging out and logging back in, or try accessing the group from a different device or browser. Sometimes the interface does not load correctly the first time. If the problem continues, you can report it to Facebook through the Help Center, though most name-change issues are resolved by refreshing your session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a group name if I am not the creator?

Yes, if the group creator or an admin has given you editing permission. You do not need to be the creator, only to have the right permissions. Ask an admin to check your role in the group settings if you are unsure whether you have access.

Will members get notified when I change the group name?

Facebook does not send an automatic notification. Members will see the new name when they next open the group. If the change is important, post a message in the group to let people know why the name changed.

Can I use special characters or emojis in the group name?

Facebook allows some special characters and emojis in group names, but not all. If you try to save a name with a character that is not allowed, Facebook will show an error. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and common punctuation marks if you are unsure.

What if I change the group name by mistake?

You can change it back when ready. There is no undo button, but you can go back into Edit group settings and type the old name again. The process is the same as the first change.

Does changing the group name affect the group's privacy settings?

No. The name change is separate from privacy settings. Your group stays public, private, or hidden depending on what it was before. You can change privacy settings in the same Edit group settings menu if you want to adjust those at the same time.