How to change your Facebook name

You can change the name on your Facebook profile through your settings menu. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on a phone or computer. Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, so if you changed it recently, you may have to wait before making another change.

The name you enter is the one that appears on your profile, in comments, and when you send messages. It does not have to match your legal name, though Facebook does ask that you use the name you go by in everyday life. Once you save the change, it takes effect immediately across all your activity on the platform.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information.
  • Facebook allows one name change every 60 days, so recent changes will block you from making another one right away.
  • The name you enter appears on your profile and in all your activity across Facebook, so choose something you are comfortable with publicly.
  • If you see an error message saying the name violates Facebook's standards, the name may contain numbers, symbols, or words Facebook does not permit.

Steps to change your name on a phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner. This opens your menu. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down to the Personal Information section and tap Name. You will see your current name in a text box. Delete it and type your new name, then tap Review Change. Facebook will show you how the new name will appear. Tap Save Changes to confirm.

Steps to change your name on a computer

Go to Facebook.com and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Click Settings and Privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side, click Personal Information. Next to your name, click the pencil icon to edit. Delete your current name and type the new one. Click Review Change to see how it will look, then click Save Changes.

What names Facebook will not accept

Facebook has rules about what characters and words you can use in your name. You cannot use numbers as your entire name, though you can include one or two numbers if they are part of a real name (like "2Pac" if that is actually how you go by it). You also cannot use symbols, emojis, or repeated characters.

Facebook blocks certain words it considers offensive or spam-like. If you see an error message when you try to save, the name you entered likely contains something on that list. Try removing numbers, symbols, or any unusual characters and try again. If the message persists, the word itself may be blocked, and you will need to choose a different name.

What happens after you change your name

The change takes effect immediately. Your new name appears on your profile, in comments you make, in messages, and in any tags other people add to your posts. People who follow you will see the new name the next time they visit your profile or scroll through their feed.

Changing your name does not change your username (the part that comes after facebook.com/ in your profile link). If you want to change that too, you can do so through the same Personal Information section, but usernames have their own rules and can only be changed once.

If you cannot change your name right now

If Facebook tells you that you cannot change your name, the most common reason is that you changed it within the last 60 days. Facebook enforces this limit to prevent spam and abuse. You will have to wait until 60 days have passed since your last change before you can make another one.

If the error message says something else — like that the name violates standards — try removing any numbers, symbols, or unusual punctuation. If you still cannot change it and believe the block is a mistake, you can report the issue to Facebook through the same settings menu by clicking the question mark icon next to the error message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert, you will need to wait until the 60-day window has passed, then follow the same steps to change it back.

Will changing my name affect my friends list or messages?

No. Your friends list stays the same, and all your old messages remain in your inbox. The only thing that changes is how your name appears to other people going forward.

What if someone else is using the name I want?

Facebook allows multiple people to have the same name. You can use any name you want as long as it follows Facebook's character and word rules. Two people can have the exact same name on Facebook without conflict.

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

Yes. Facebook asks that you use the name you go by in everyday life, but that does not have to be your legal name. A nickname, stage name, or any name people actually call you is acceptable.