Where to Find the Name Change Setting

Your Facebook name lives in your account settings, not in your profile itself. Open Facebook on a computer or phone, click the downward arrow in the top right corner (or the three horizontal lines on mobile), and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. You'll see a row labeled Name — click it to open the edit window.

On mobile, the path is the same but the menu collapses differently. If you're using the Facebook app, tap the three lines at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, then scroll to Personal information and tap Name.

The name change window shows your current first and last name in separate boxes. You can also add a middle name if you want, though Facebook doesn't require it. Any change you make here updates across your entire account — your profile, messages, comments, and posts all reflect the new name within minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Your name setting is in Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, not in your profile photo or bio area.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need multiple changes.
  • Facebook accepts most characters, but symbols, numbers, and unusual spacing may be rejected or automatically cleaned up.
  • The change takes effect when ready across all your activity, and you cannot undo it — you have to wait 60 days and change it again if you made a mistake.

What Names Facebook Will and Won't Accept

Facebook has rules about what counts as a valid name. The system accepts letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. It rejects names that are mostly numbers, names with excessive punctuation or symbols, and names that look like they're trying to advertise something or impersonate a public figure. If you try to save a name that breaks these rules, Facebook will show an error message telling you to fix it before you can proceed.

Common rejections happen when people try to add titles (like "Dr." or "CEO"), nicknames in all caps, or extra symbols for decoration. If your legal name includes an accent mark or character from another alphabet — like é, ñ, or ü — Facebook will accept it. If your name has an unusual structure, like a single word or a name with no space between parts, Facebook may still accept it, but the system might rearrange spacing automatically.

If you're changing your name because you got married, divorced, or changed your legal name, use the name you want to go by on Facebook. It doesn't have to match your government ID, though some features (like Facebook Pay or fundraising) may ask you to verify your legal name separately.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit exists to prevent spam and impersonation. If you made a typo or changed your mind, you have to wait the full 60 days before you can change it back or try something else. Facebook counts the 60 days from the moment you saved the change, not from when you started editing.

You can see when you'll be able to change your name again by going back to Settings > Personal information > Name. If you're still in the waiting period, the edit button will be grayed out and show you the date when it becomes active again. Plan your name change carefully, because there's no way to rush this process or get an exception.

Changing Your Name on Mobile vs. Desktop

The process is nearly identical on phone and computer, but the layout feels different. On desktop, you see the full Settings menu on the left side, and you can click directly to Personal information. On mobile, menus collapse into dropdowns, so you're tapping through more screens to reach the same place.

One difference: on mobile, after you tap the three lines at the bottom, you may need to scroll down quite a bit to find Settings and privacy. It's not always at the top of the menu. On desktop, Settings is usually one of the first options in the dropdown. Either way, once you reach the Name field, the editing window works the same — type your new name and tap or click Save.

If you're using Facebook in a web browser on your phone instead of the app, the desktop layout usually appears, which can be easier to navigate on a smaller screen because you don't have to scroll as much.

What Happens to Your Old Name After You Change It

Your old name disappears from your profile and all your public activity. People who knew you by your old name won't see it anymore — they'll see only your new name on your profile, in comments, in messages, and everywhere else on Facebook. However, the change doesn't erase your history. Old posts and comments you made under your previous name are still there; they just now show your new name attached to them.

If someone searches for your old name, they won't find your profile in the results. They can still find you by your new name or by your username (if you have one set). Your username is separate from your display name and doesn't change when you update your name — if you set a custom username like facebook.com/yourname, that stays the same.

Fixing a Mistake or Unwanted Name Change

If you made a typo or someone else changed your name without permission, you'll have to wait 60 days to fix it. There's no emergency override or customer service exception to this rule. The only way to change it sooner is if your account was hacked — in that case, you can report the unauthorized change through Facebook's account security tools, and they may reset the 60-day timer.

To report an unauthorized name change, go to Settings > Security and login > Where you're logged in, and check for any unrecognized devices or locations. If you see suspicious activity, click on it and select "This wasn't me." You can also report the name change itself by going to Settings > Personal information > Name and looking for a "Report a problem" or "Get help" option if one appears.

If your account was genuinely compromised, Facebook's security team may be able to help you change your name before the 60 days are up. But for regular mistakes — a typo you made yourself, or a name you just don't like anymore — you have to wait the full period.

Using a Username Instead of Your Display Name

Your display name (the one you just changed) is what most people see on your profile. But you can also create a username, which is a custom URL like facebook.com/yourname. A username doesn't change when your display name does, and it's useful if you want a consistent web address even if you update your name later.

To set a username, go to Settings > Personal information and look for the Username field (it's separate from Name). You can only create a username once, and you can change it once every 60 days, just like your display name. If you don't have a username yet, Facebook may prompt you to create one when you first set up your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to my old one right away?

No. You must wait 60 days from the date you made the change. After 60 days, you can change your name to anything, including your previous name. There's no way to speed this up unless your account was hacked and you report it to Facebook's security team.

Will my friends see a notification that I changed my name?

Facebook doesn't send a notification about name changes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they won't get an alert telling them you changed it. If you want people to know, you can post about it yourself.

What if Facebook rejected my name and won't let me save it?

Facebook rejected it because it contains numbers, symbols, or spacing that doesn't match their rules. Remove any numbers, extra punctuation, or unusual spacing and try again. If your name includes an apostrophe or hyphen (like O'Brien or Mary-Jane), those are allowed. If you're still stuck, try removing decorative elements and using only letters and spaces.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or web address?

No. Your username (facebook.com/yourname) stays the same when you change your display name. They're separate settings. If you haven't created a username yet, you can do that in Settings > Personal information > Username.

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my legal name?

Yes. Facebook doesn't require your legal name — you can use any name that follows their character rules. Use whatever name you want to go by on Facebook. Some features like fundraising or Facebook Pay may ask you to verify your legal name separately, but your profile name can be anything.