How to change your Facebook name

You can change the name on your Facebook profile through your settings menu on any device. The process takes about two minutes: go to your profile, click the edit button next to your name, type your new name, and save. Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect immediately across your account.

The name you enter must follow Facebook's naming rules — it should be the name you go by in everyday life, not a business name, string of numbers, or special characters. Facebook reviews name changes and may reject ones that look like they're trying to evade the platform's policies.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your name change through Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information on any device.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, and the change shows up immediately on your profile and in messages.
  • Facebook's name rules require your real name as you use it — no all-caps text, excessive punctuation, numbers, or symbols.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, you can appeal the decision or wait 30 days and try again with a different name.

Changing your name on a computer or phone

On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, then select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. Next to your name, click Edit, type your new name in the field that appears, and click Review Change. Facebook will show you a preview — click Save Changes to confirm.

On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to Personal Information and tap Name. Type your new name and tap Review Change, then Save Changes.

The new name appears on your profile and in all your messages and comments right away. Friends will see the change in their notifications and on your profile.

What names Facebook will and won't accept

Facebook requires names to look like real names people actually use. This means your first and last name, or a first name and middle name, or a nickname you're known by — but not a business name, brand name, or made-up string of words. Numbers, excessive punctuation, and special characters are not allowed. For example, "Sarah Johnson" works, but "Sarah_Johnson123" or "SARAH JOHNSON!!!" will be rejected.

Avoid all-caps text, repeated punctuation marks, and symbols like @, #, or &. If you use a name from another language or alphabet, Facebook usually accepts it as long as it follows the same rules. If your name includes a suffix like Jr., Sr., or III, you can include it.

If Facebook rejects your name change, you'll see a message explaining why. Common reasons are that the name doesn't look real, contains numbers or symbols, or violates Facebook's policies. You can appeal the decision through the same menu, or wait 30 days and try again with a different name.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. This rule applies whether your previous change was accepted or rejected. If you just changed your name and want to change it again, you'll need to wait until the 60 days have passed. The date when you can change it next appears in your Personal Information settings.

If you made a mistake or changed your mind, you do have to wait the full 60 days before trying again. There is no way to speed up this waiting period or request an exception.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and from new messages and comments you post. However, old messages and comments you wrote before the change still show your old name — Facebook doesn't retroactively update your name on past activity. Friends who saw your old name will see the new one the next time they look at your profile or message thread.

Your username (the part of your Facebook URL) is separate from your display name and doesn't change automatically. If you want to change your username as well, you can do that through the same Personal Information settings, but usernames have their own rules and can only be changed once.

If Facebook rejects your name change

When Facebook rejects a name, it tells you which rule it violated. Read the message carefully — it usually points to numbers, symbols, unusual punctuation, or text that doesn't look like a real name. The most common reason is using all capital letters or repeating punctuation marks.

You have two options: appeal the decision through the link Facebook provides, or wait 30 days and submit a different name. If you appeal, Facebook reviews your request again and either approves it or confirms the rejection. If you wait 30 days, you can try a different version of your name that follows the rules more clearly.

If you believe Facebook made a mistake — for example, your real name genuinely contains numbers or symbols — use the appeal option and explain your situation. Facebook's support team will review it, though responses can take several days.

Changing your name on a business or creator account

If you manage a Facebook Page for a business or public figure, changing the page name works differently than changing your personal profile name. You can change a page name through the page's settings, and the rules are less strict — you can use business names, symbols, and other text that wouldn't be allowed on a personal profile. However, pages also have their own waiting periods and review processes.

If you have a Creator Account (a personal profile set up for public figures or content creators), you can still change your name the same way as a regular profile, but you may want to keep your name consistent with how your audience knows you.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes for all accounts. You cannot request an exception or speed up this process. If you need to change your name again, you must wait the full 60 days from your last change.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Your friends will see that you changed your name, and some may receive a notification depending on their settings. The change appears on your profile and in your message threads. Old messages and comments still show your previous name.

What if my real name has numbers or special characters in it?

If your actual name contains numbers or characters, use the appeal option after Facebook rejects your name change. Explain that it's your real name and provide context if needed. Facebook's team will review it, though this can take several days.

Can I change my name back to my old name?

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to revert, you'll need to wait until the 60-day period ends, then submit your old name as a new change.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your display name and your username are separate. Changing your name doesn't change your username or the URL people use to find your profile. You can change your username separately through Personal Information settings, but usernames can only be changed once.