The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information, then find Name and click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided, click Review change, and then Save changes. The new name appears on your profile when ready.

Facebook stores your name in two separate fields: first name and last name. You can use your legal name, a nickname, a professional name, or any combination you want — Facebook does not require you to use your legal name. However, the platform does have rules about what characters and formats it accepts, which we cover below.

If you are on a mobile phone, the steps are the same: tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, tap Personal information, tap Name, and then tap Edit.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name > Edit, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Facebook allows nicknames, professional names, and non-legal names, but does not accept numbers, symbols, or unusual character combinations in most cases.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, and Facebook will not let you change it again until that period passes.
  • If Facebook rejects your name as fake or violates community standards, you can appeal the decision or contact support to explain your situation.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook has automated systems that flag names it thinks are fake or violate its community standards. The platform generally rejects names that contain numbers, special characters (like &, @, or #), or excessive punctuation. It also blocks names that look like email addresses, URLs, or random character strings.

Names with accents, hyphens, apostrophes, and spaces are usually accepted — so María, Jean-Paul, O'Brien, and Mary Jane are all fine. If your name includes characters from non-Latin alphabets (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Greek, Hebrew, and others), Facebook accepts those as well.

The platform does not require your name to match your legal documents. You can use a stage name, pen name, nickname, or any other name you go by, as long as it follows the character rules above. If Facebook rejects your chosen name, the error message will tell you which characters or patterns caused the problem.

The 60-day waiting period between name changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit applies whether you are changing it back to your old name or switching to something completely new. The 60-day timer starts the moment you save the change, not when you first click Edit.

If you made a typo or changed your mind when ready, you have a short window before the system locks you out. Check your new name carefully before you click Save changes. If you realize the mistake after saving, you will have to wait the full 60 days before you can fix it.

Facebook shows you the date you can next change your name if you try to edit it before the 60 days are up. The exact date and time appear in the Settings menu under Personal information > Name.

What happens if Facebook blocks your name as fake

If you see an error message saying your name does not follow Facebook's community standards or looks fake, you have two options: change the name to something Facebook accepts, or appeal the decision.

To appeal, look for a link in the error message that says Learn more or Appeal. Click it and follow the prompts to explain why you use that name. Facebook asks you to describe your situation — for example, if it is a stage name, professional name, or name you go by in your community. You can also upload a document like a driver's license, passport, or other ID if you want to prove the name is legitimate.

Facebook reviews appeals within a few days. If the appeal is approved, you can use the name. If it is denied, you will need to choose a different name that follows the character rules. You can appeal again if you believe the decision was wrong.

Changing your name on your profile versus your username

Your name and your username are two different things on Facebook. Your name is what appears on your profile and in your posts — this is what you change through Settings > Personal information > Name. Your username is the custom URL that appears in your profile link (for example, facebook.com/yourname).

If you want to change your username as well, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Username and click Edit. You can change your username once every 60 days, just like your name. The username change does not affect your name, and vice versa.

Many people change their name but keep the same username, or change the username without touching the name. You can do either one independently.

How your name change appears to other people

When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Facebook — your profile, your posts, your comments, and your messages. Everyone who sees your profile or your activity will see the new name when ready. There is no delay or notification process.

People who have you as a friend will see the name change reflected in their friend list and in any conversations with you. If someone searches for your old name, they will not find your profile — only your new name will show up in search results.

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends telling them you changed your name. If you want people to know about the change, you can post about it or mention it in a message.

Changing your name back after a previous change

If you changed your name in the past and now want to change it back to an old name, you still have to wait 60 days from your most recent change. The 60-day rule applies to any name change, regardless of whether you are switching to something new or reverting to something you used before.

For example, if you changed from "John Smith" to "John S." today, you cannot change back to "John Smith" until 60 days have passed. The system does not make exceptions for reverting to previous names.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fake name or nickname on Facebook?

Yes. Facebook does not require your legal name — you can use a nickname, stage name, professional name, or any other name you go by. The only restriction is that it must follow Facebook's character rules: no numbers, special symbols, or unusual character combinations. If your chosen name is rejected, you can appeal and explain why you use it.

What if I change my name and Facebook says it violates community standards?

Click the Learn more or Appeal link in the error message and explain your situation. You can describe why you use that name or upload an ID to prove it is legitimate. Facebook reviews appeals within a few days. If denied, choose a different name or appeal again if you think the decision was wrong.

Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. Once you save a change, you cannot change your name again until 60 days have passed. You can see the exact date you are may be able to access to change it again in your Settings under Personal information > Name.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or profile link?

No. Your name and username are separate. Changing your name does not change your username or profile link. If you want to change your username as well, you must do that separately through Settings > Personal information > Username, and you can only change it once every 60 days.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends will see the new name on your profile and in your posts, but they will not receive an alert. If you want them to know, you can post about it or message them directly.