Change your Facebook name in settings, and Facebook will update it across your profile, messages, and comments within minutes

Facebook lets you change the name on your profile whenever you want, though the platform limits how often you can make changes. The process takes less than a minute: go to your settings, find the name field, type your new name, and save. Facebook displays the change immediately on your profile and in all your activity going forward. If you change your mind, you can change it again — but you'll have to wait a set amount of time between changes.

The name you enter on Facebook doesn't have to match your legal name, your ID, or anything else. You can use a nickname, a middle name, initials, or any combination of letters and numbers. Facebook's only real rule is that your name should be the name you actually go by in everyday life — not a business name, a URL, or a string of symbols. If you use a name that looks fake or promotional, Facebook may ask you to change it.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name from your settings menu in under a minute, and the change shows up immediately across your entire profile.
  • Facebook limits how often you can change your name — usually once every 60 days, though this timing can vary.
  • Your Facebook name doesn't have to be your legal name, but it should be a name you actually use in real life.
  • If Facebook blocks your name change, it's usually because the name looks fake or promotional; you can try again with a different name or request a review.

Where to find the name change option on Facebook

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of your screen (on desktop) or tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right (on mobile). Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal information." You'll see a field labeled "Name" — this is where you change it.

If you're using the Facebook app on your phone, the path is slightly different: tap the three lines at the bottom, scroll down to "Settings and privacy," tap "Settings," then scroll to find "Personal information." The name field works the same way on both desktop and mobile.

How to enter and save your new name

Click or tap the name field. Facebook will show you your current name and let you edit it. Delete the old name and type the new one. You can use your first name only, first and last name, a nickname, or any other name you go by. Facebook accepts letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes — but not symbols like @, #, or &.

Once you've typed your new name, click or tap the "Review Change" button. Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear. If it looks right, click "Save Changes." Your new name will show up on your profile, in your comments, in your messages, and in any tags within a few minutes. People who have you as a friend will see the change in their news feed.

The 60-day waiting period between name changes

Facebook typically requires you to wait 60 days between name changes. If you try to change your name before that window closes, Facebook will tell you when you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent spam and account takeovers — it makes it harder for someone who gains temporary access to your account to hide their activity by changing your name repeatedly.

The 60-day timer starts from your most recent name change, not from when you created your account. If you changed your name on January 15th, you won't be able to change it again until around March 15th. If you need to change your name sooner because of a legal name change or a serious error, you can contact Facebook's support team, though they don't always override the limit.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

Facebook may block your name change if the name you entered looks fake, promotional, or like a business name. Common reasons for rejection include using all capital letters, using numbers in place of letters (like "J0hn" instead of "John"), using symbols, or including words that look like a brand or URL. If your change is rejected, Facebook will explain why and let you try again with a different name.

If you believe your name was rejected by mistake — for example, if your legal name genuinely contains numbers or unusual characters — you can request a review. Go back to the name field, and Facebook will offer you the option to appeal. You may be asked to provide ID or other proof that the name is real. The review process can take several days.

Changing your name back to a previous name

If you've changed your name multiple times and want to go back to an old name, you can do that — but you still have to wait 60 days from your most recent change. Facebook doesn't treat a "revert" differently from any other name change. So if you changed from "Sarah" to "Sara" last week and now want to go back to "Sarah," you'll have to wait until the 60-day window closes.

There's no special process for reverting. You simply go back to your settings, enter the old name you want to use, and save it like any other change. Facebook will treat it as a new name change and apply the same 60-day cooldown.

How your name change affects your profile and activity

When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Facebook at once: your profile header, your comments, your posts, your messages, and any tags. People who have you as a friend will see a notification that you changed your name. Your old posts and comments will show your new name, not your old one — Facebook doesn't keep a public record of your previous names.

Your username (the part of your profile URL that looks like facebook.com/yourname) is separate from your display name and doesn't change automatically. If you want to change your username too, you'll need to do that separately in your settings. You can change your username once every 60 days as well, and the same rules apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once?

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days between changes. After you change your name, Facebook locks the name field for 60 days. Once that period ends, you can change it again. There's no limit to how many times you can change your name over time — only to how often you can do it.

Will my friends see when I change my name?

Yes. Facebook sends a notification to your friends' news feeds when you change your name. The notification appears for a few days and then disappears. Your old posts and comments will show your new name, not your old one.

What if I changed my name by mistake and want to change it back right away?

You'll have to wait 60 days. Facebook doesn't make exceptions for accidental changes. If you need to change it sooner, you can contact Facebook support and explain the situation, but they rarely override the waiting period.

Does changing my name on Facebook change my username?

No. Your display name and your username are two separate things. Changing your name updates your display name only. If you want to change your username (the facebook.com/yourname part), you have to do that separately in your settings.

Can I use a fake name or nickname on Facebook?

Yes, as long as it's a name you actually go by in real life. Facebook doesn't require your legal name. You can use a nickname, a middle name, initials, or any other name you use regularly. Facebook will reject names that look promotional, like business names or URLs.