How to change your Facebook name

You can change the name on your Facebook profile from your settings menu on any device — phone, tablet, or computer. The process takes about two minutes. Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days, and the change shows up immediately to your friends and followers.

The name you enter must follow Facebook's real name policy: it should be the name you go by in everyday life, not a nickname, business name, or string of numbers. Facebook reviews name changes and may ask you to revert if the name violates their rules.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name once every 60 days from the Settings menu on your phone or computer.
  • Your new name must be a real name you use in daily life, not a nickname, business name, or numbers.
  • The change takes effect immediately, and all your friends see the new name right away.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, you will see a message explaining why and can try again with a different name.
  • You cannot change your Facebook username (the part after facebook.com/) through the same menu — that requires a separate step.

Steps to change your name on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.

Tap Personal Information, then tap Name. You will see your current name in a text box. Delete the old name and type your new name. Tap Review Change to see how it will appear. If it looks correct, tap Save Changes. Facebook will confirm the change with a notification.

Steps to change your name on a computer

Go to facebook.com and click the downward arrow at the top right of the page. Click Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.

On the left side, click Personal Information. Click Name to open the edit box. Delete your current name and type your new name. Click Review Change to preview it. If it looks right, click Save Changes. You will see a confirmation message.

What Facebook's name policy allows and blocks

Facebook requires names to match what you use in real life — the name people know you by. This means your first and last name, or a commonly used nickname paired with a real last name. You can include accents, hyphens, and apostrophes if they are part of your actual name.

Facebook will reject names that contain numbers, symbols (except hyphens and apostrophes), all capital letters, repeated characters, or words that look like usernames or handles. Business names, stage names, and titles do not pass review. If your name is rejected, Facebook sends a message explaining the reason and you can submit a different name.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit applies whether your previous change was accepted or rejected. If you made a typo or want to fix capitalization, you will still have to wait the full 60 days.

The timer starts the moment you save the change, not when Facebook reviews it. If you are within the 60-day window, the name field will show a message telling you when you can change it again.

Changing your Facebook username is separate from your name

Your Facebook username is the custom URL that appears after facebook.com/ — for example, facebook.com/sarah.martinez. This is different from your display name. You can change your username independently, but the process is separate and has different rules.

To change your username, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Username. You can change your username once every 60 days as well, but usernames have stricter rules: they must be between 5 and 50 characters, contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot be someone else's username or a reserved word.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

If your name does not meet Facebook's policy, you will see a message saying the change could not be saved, along with a reason. Common reasons include numbers in the name, all capital letters, or a name that looks like a username. Read the reason carefully — it tells you exactly what to fix.

You can try again immediately with a different name. There is no penalty for a rejected submission. If you believe your name was rejected by mistake — for example, if your real name contains numbers or unusual characters — you can appeal by clicking the link in the rejection message and uploading a document that proves your legal name.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name and want to revert, you will need to wait the full 60-day period before you can make another change, even if you are changing back to your original name.

Will my friends see the change right away?

Yes. Your new name appears on your profile, in your friends' friend lists, and in their notifications immediately after you save the change. There is no delay or approval period.

What if my real name has numbers or special characters?

If your legal name contains numbers, accents, or characters that Facebook normally blocks, you can appeal the rejection. Click the link in the rejection message and upload a photo of your ID or birth certificate that shows your legal name. Facebook will review the document and may restore your name.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook messages or friends list?

No. Your messages, photos, posts, and friends list stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed on your profile and in conversations changes. People who message you will see your new name in the chat.

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

Facebook's policy requires real names, but you can use a commonly known nickname if it is paired with a real last name — for example, "Bob Smith" instead of "Robert Smith". Stage names, business names, and nicknames without a real last name will be rejected.