Change your last name in Facebook settings in under two minutes

Open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to your profile, and click the pencil icon next to your name. Select "Edit" next to your last name, type the new name, and click "Review Change." Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Save Changes" and you're done. The change takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to appear everywhere on the site.

On a phone, the steps are the same: tap your profile picture, tap your name at the top, tap the pencil icon, select "Edit" next to your last name, and save. Facebook does not charge a fee and does not require you to provide legal documents, even if you're changing to a completely different name.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your last name through your profile settings on Facebook's website or mobile app without submitting any documents.
  • The change appears on your profile when ready, but may take a few minutes to show up in other parts of Facebook like comments and posts.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
  • Your old name remains visible to you in your activity log and to people who saw your profile before the change.

Step-by-step on a computer

Go to Facebook.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click "Profile" from the menu that appears. 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.

A dropdown menu will appear with options including "Edit." Click "Edit" next to your last name. A text box will open showing your current last name. Delete the old name and type your new last name. Click the blue "Review Change" button below the text box. Facebook will show you a preview of how the change will look. Click "Save Changes" to confirm.

Step-by-step on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner (on iPhone) or top right corner (on Android). Tap your name at the very top of your profile. You'll see a pencil icon next to your name — tap it. Select "Edit" next to your last name.

The text box will open with your current last name highlighted. Type your new last name. Tap "Review Change" at the bottom of the screen. Facebook will show you a preview. Tap "Save Changes" to finish. The change will appear on your profile within a few minutes.

The 60-day rule and what happens if you change too soon

Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will show an error message telling you when you can change it again. The 60 days starts from the date you saved your most recent name change, not from when you started the process.

This limit applies whether you're changing your first name, last name, or both. If you need to change your name again soon, you'll have to wait. There is no way to bypass this rule or request an exception.

What your old name looks like after the change

Your old name does not disappear from Facebook entirely. People who viewed your profile before you changed your name may still see the old name in their memory or in screenshots they took. However, when they visit your profile after the change, they will see your new name.

You can see your own name history in your activity log. Go to your profile, click the three dots menu, select "Activity Log," and look for entries related to your name. This log is private — only you can see it. Your old name will not appear in search results or in new comments and posts you make after the change.

If the change doesn't appear right away

After you save your name change, it usually appears on your profile within a few minutes. Sometimes it takes longer to show up in other places like your comments, posts, or in other people's notifications. If your name still shows the old version after an hour, try logging out and logging back in, or closing and reopening the Facebook app.

If the old name is still showing after several hours, clear your browser cache (on a computer) or clear the app cache (on a phone). On an iPhone, go to Settings > Facebook > Clear Cache. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache. Then log back into Facebook.

Changing your name back or to something else

You can change your name as many times as you want, as long as you wait 60 days between each change. If you change your mind about your new name, you'll need to wait 60 days from when you made the last change before you can switch it again. There is no "undo" button — you have to go through the same edit process.

If you made a typo or want to fix capitalization, you still have to wait the full 60 days. Plan your name changes carefully, because Facebook enforces this waiting period strictly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name to something that's not my real name?

Yes. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name. You can use a nickname, stage name, or any other name you want. Facebook's name policy asks that you use the name you go by in everyday life, but the site does not verify this with documents.

Will my friends be notified when I change my last name?

No. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in a comment or post, but they won't receive an alert about the change.

Can I change my name if my account is new?

Yes. You can change your name on a brand-new Facebook account. There is no waiting period before your first name change — the 60-day rule only applies between changes after that.

What if Facebook won't let me save my new last name?

Facebook may reject a name if it contains numbers, unusual symbols, or repeated characters that look like spam. Try removing numbers and special characters. If Facebook still rejects it, the name may violate Facebook's name standards. Use letters and standard punctuation like hyphens or apostrophes instead.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it anywhere else?

No. Changing your name on Facebook only affects your Facebook profile. It does not change your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, your email, or any other service, even if those accounts are linked to your Facebook account.