Change Your Name in Facebook Settings

To change the name on your Facebook profile, open Facebook and go to the menu in the top right corner (the three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop). Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information, then find the Name field. Click Edit next to your current name.

A box will appear with fields for your first name and last name. Type your new name into these fields exactly as you want it to appear. Facebook will show you a preview of how it will look on your profile. When you are satisfied, click Review Change at the bottom, then Save Changes.

Your new name takes effect when ready on your profile. Everyone on Facebook will see the updated name right away. You do not need to wait for approval or confirmation—the change is live as soon as you save it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name by going to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information, then clicking Edit next to your name.
  • Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
  • Your new name appears on your profile when ready and is visible to all your friends and the public (depending on your privacy settings).
  • If Facebook blocks your name change, it may be because you changed it recently, used special characters, or included numbers that look like letters.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a middle name, or any combination—Facebook does not require you to use your legal name.

Understanding Facebook's 60-Day Rule

Facebook limits how often you can change your name. You can change it once every 60 days. This means if you changed your name last month, you will have to wait until the 60-day window closes before you can change it again.

If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will show you a message saying you cannot change it yet and will tell you when you will be able to. The timer resets each time you make a change, so the clock starts over from your most recent name change.

Why Facebook Might Block Your Name Change

Sometimes Facebook will not let you save a new name. The most common reason is that you changed your name within the last 60 days. But there are other reasons Facebook may reject your choice.

Facebook blocks names that contain numbers (like "John123"), special characters (like "@" or "#"), or repeated letters that look unusual (like "Jooooohn"). The platform also flags names that appear to be fake, offensive, or designed to impersonate someone else. If your name includes a title like "Dr." or "Jr.", Facebook usually accepts it, but names that are all numbers or all symbols will be rejected.

If you see an error message, try removing numbers, special characters, or extra spaces. Use only letters, hyphens, and apostrophes. If you have a legitimate reason to use characters Facebook normally blocks—for example, your legal name includes a number or symbol—you can contact Facebook Support through the Help Center to request an exception.

What Name Formats Facebook Accepts

Facebook is flexible about what you can use as your name. You can use your full legal name, a nickname, a middle name, a stage name, or any combination. You do not have to prove your name is real or matches your government ID.

Common accepted formats include: first and last name (John Smith), first name and middle initial (John Q. Smith), nickname and last name (Johnny Smith), or just a first name (John). You can also use hyphens (Mary-Jane) and apostrophes (O'Brien) without problems. If your name includes accented letters or characters from other languages, Facebook accepts those as well.

How Your Name Appears Across Facebook

When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Facebook at the same time. Your profile header shows the new name, your comments appear under the new name, and your posts are attributed to the new name. Old posts and comments do not get relabeled—they stay under the name you used when you posted them.

Your friends will see the name change in their News Feed as a notification, similar to a status update. The notification says something like "John Smith changed his name to Johnny Smith." This notification appears for a short time and then disappears. If your profile is public, anyone on Facebook can see your current name, but only your friends see the notification about the change.

Changing Your Name on Mobile vs. Desktop

The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu locations are slightly different. On mobile, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app. On desktop, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page.

From there, both versions take you to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information. The name field works the same way on both—you click Edit, type your new name, review it, and save. Mobile screens are smaller, so the fields may look more compact, but the process is identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once?

Yes, but only once every 60 days. If you change your name and then want to change it again, you will have to wait 60 days from the date of your most recent change. Facebook enforces this limit to prevent spam and abuse.

What happens to my old name when I change it?

Your old name disappears from your profile and is replaced with your new name everywhere on Facebook. Your past posts and comments stay under the name you used when you posted them—they do not retroactively change. Only your current profile name updates.

Do I need to use my real legal name on Facebook?

No. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name. You can use a nickname, stage name, middle name, or any name you go by. Facebook's policy is that you should use the name you go by in everyday life, but the platform does not verify this or ask for ID.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Yes. Your friends will see a notification in their News Feed that you changed your name. The notification appears briefly and shows your old name and new name. If your profile is private, only your friends see this notification. If your profile is public, anyone on Facebook can see your current name.

What should I do if Facebook says my name is not allowed?

Remove any numbers, special characters, or unusual repeated letters and try again. If your name legitimately includes characters Facebook blocks, contact Facebook Support through the Help Center and explain your situation. Facebook can sometimes make exceptions for names that are real but contain characters the system normally rejects.