How to change your last name on Facebook
You can change your last name on Facebook through your settings in about two minutes. Open Facebook on a computer or phone, click your profile picture in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Look for Personal information on the left side, click it, find Name, and click Edit. Type your new last name in the Last name field and click Review change. Facebook will show you how the new name appears, and you can confirm it or go back to edit again.
The change takes effect when ready, though Facebook limits how often you can change your name. If you changed it recently, you may see a message saying you have to wait before changing it again — the waiting period is usually 60 days, but Facebook does not always enforce it strictly. Your old name does not appear on your profile after the change, but people who knew you under the old name can still find you by searching for it.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information, then Name to reach the edit screen.
- Facebook shows you a preview of the new name before you confirm, so you can catch typos.
- The name change is public and visible to all your friends and anyone who visits your profile.
- If you changed your name recently, Facebook may require you to wait 60 days before changing it again.
- People can still find you by your old name in Facebook search even after you change it.
What name format Facebook accepts
Facebook requires your name to contain only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and spaces. You cannot use special characters like asterisks, ampersands, or emoji in your name field. If you try to enter a name with symbols Facebook does not allow, the system will reject it and ask you to remove them.
Hyphens and periods are allowed, so names like "Mary-Jane" or "O.Brien" will work. If your legal name includes characters outside this set, you may need to use a close approximation — for example, using an accent-free version of your name. Facebook does not have a separate field for a middle name, so if you want to include one, it goes in the last name field along with your surname.
Changing your name on mobile versus desktop
The steps are nearly identical on a phone or tablet, but the menu locations are slightly different. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the screen, scroll down to Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. From there, tap Personal information and then Name to edit it.
On a desktop computer, the process is the same but faster because you can see more of the menu at once. Either way, you will see the same preview screen before confirming, so there is no risk of making a mistake you cannot catch.
How often you can change your name
Facebook enforces a waiting period between name changes, though the exact rules are not published. Most users report that they can change their name once every 60 days, but some have been able to change it more frequently. If you try to change your name and see a message saying you have to wait, that means you have hit the limit — you will have to try again after the waiting period passes.
If you need to change your name urgently and the system blocks you, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center, but response times are slow and there is no may provide they will override the restriction. The safest approach is to wait out the 60-day window rather than trying to force a change.
What happens to your old name after you change it
Your old name disappears from your profile when ready. Friends and family will see your new name on your timeline, in messages, and in comments you make. However, the old name does not vanish from Facebook's search index — if someone searches for your previous name, your profile will still appear in the results, and they can click through to find you.
Posts and comments you made under your old name will still show your old name in the timestamp and history, even though your profile now displays the new one. This is because Facebook keeps a record of what name you used when you posted something. Your friends will see the new name on your profile and in new interactions, but old posts may still show the previous name in certain contexts.
Changing your name if you do not have access to your account
If you cannot log into your Facebook account, you cannot change your name through the normal settings. You will need to regain access first by using the account recovery process. Go to facebook.com, click Forgotten password?, enter your email or phone number, and follow the steps to reset your password or confirm your identity.
Once you are back in your account, you can change your name using the steps described above. If you have lost access to the email or phone number linked to your account, the recovery process becomes much harder, and you may need to contact Facebook's support team with proof of identity. This can take weeks, so it is worth trying every email address and phone number you may have used when you set up the account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my friends be notified when I change my last name?
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 their feed, but there is no alert. If you want people to know about the change, you can post about it or message them directly.
Can I change my name back to my old one right away?
No, you will have to wait the same 60-day period before changing it back. If you made a typo or changed your mind when ready, you are stuck with the new name for at least two months. This is why Facebook shows you a preview before you confirm — it gives you a chance to catch mistakes before they take effect.
What if Facebook says my name violates their policies?
Facebook may reject a name if it looks like a fake account, contains offensive language, or uses symbols not allowed in names. If you see this message, try removing any numbers, hyphens, or periods and use only letters and spaces. If your legal name genuinely includes characters Facebook does not allow, you can contact their support team, though they rarely make exceptions.
Does changing my name on Facebook change it anywhere else?
No, changing your name on Facebook only affects your Facebook profile. Your name on Instagram, WhatsApp, email, or any other service stays the same unless you change it separately in those services. If you use the same account across multiple Meta services, the name may sync to Instagram, but you can change it independently if needed.
Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my legal name?
Yes, Facebook does not require you to use your legal name. You can use a nickname, stage name, or any other name as long as it follows their format rules (letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and spaces only). Many performers, artists, and people who go by a different name use this feature without issue.