The fastest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on a computer or phone, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap Name. Type your new name in the fields provided, then tap Review Change. Facebook will show you how your name will appear to others. Tap Save Changes when you're ready.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Your new name appears to your friends and on your profile immediately, though Facebook may take a few hours to update it everywhere on the site.

Facebook limits how often you can change your name. After you make a change, you must wait 60 days before changing it again. If you try to change it sooner, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it next.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on both mobile and desktop versions of Facebook.
  • Facebook requires you to wait 60 days between name changes, so you cannot change it again immediately after the first change.
  • Your new name appears to your friends right away, though it may take a few hours to update across the entire site.
  • If Facebook rejects your name as violating community standards, you can appeal the decision or contact Facebook support for help.

What names Facebook will and won't accept

Facebook has rules about what counts as a valid name. The site accepts most real names, nicknames, and names from different languages and alphabets. It does not accept names that are entirely numbers, names with excessive punctuation or symbols, or names that look like they're trying to impersonate someone else or a business.

If you use a stage name, pen name, or nickname that you go by regularly, Facebook usually accepts it. The name does not have to match your legal documents. However, if your name contains unusual characters or formatting, Facebook may flag it for review before approving it.

If Facebook rejects your name, you'll see an error message explaining why. Common reasons include using too many special characters, including numbers where they don't belong, or using a name that looks like spam or a fake account. You can try submitting a different version of the name, or you can contact Facebook through the Help Center to appeal the decision.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on phones and computers, but the menu layout differs slightly. On a phone, tap the three-line menu at the bottom right of the screen (iPhone) or top right (Android), then navigate to Settings & Privacy. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of your Facebook page, then click Settings & Privacy.

Both routes lead to the same name-change form. Some people find it easier to use a computer because the screen is larger and the form is easier to read, but the mobile version works just as well. If you start on one device and want to finish on another, your changes will sync automatically once you save them.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile and from most places on Facebook. Your friends will see your new name on your profile, in comments, and in messages. Old posts you made before the change still show your new name, not the old one.

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 message them directly. Some people change their name and their friends don't notice for weeks.

If you change your name back to your original name within 60 days, you'll have to wait another 60 days before changing it again. The 60-day waiting period applies to every change, not just changes to a new name.

If Facebook locks your account after a name change

Occasionally Facebook flags a name change as suspicious and temporarily locks your account. This usually happens if you changed your name to something very different from your previous name, or if Facebook's systems detected unusual activity on your account around the time of the change.

If this happens, Facebook will ask you to confirm your identity. You may need to upload a photo of your ID, answer security questions, or verify your email address or phone number. Once you complete the verification, your account unlocks and your name change takes effect.

This process usually takes a few hours to a day. If you're locked out for longer than that, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center and explain what happened. Include details about when you changed your name and what verification steps you've already completed.

Changing your name if you're having trouble with the settings menu

If you can't find the name-change option in Settings, make sure you're logged into the right account. Some people have multiple Facebook accounts and accidentally open the wrong one. Log out completely, then log back in to the account you want to change.

If the Settings menu looks different than described here, you may be using an older version of the Facebook app. Update your app through your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store). Facebook regularly changes its interface, so older versions may have different menu layouts.

If you've updated your app and still can't find the name option, try using Facebook on a computer instead. The desktop version is usually more stable and less likely to have display problems. You can also try clearing your phone's cache for the Facebook app: go to your phone's Settings, find Facebook in your list of apps, and tap Clear Cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once?

Yes, but you must wait 60 days between changes. This limit applies whether you're changing to a completely new name or changing back to an old name. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, Facebook will tell you the exact date when you can change it again.

Will my friends get a notification when I change my name?

No, Facebook does not send notifications about name changes. Your friends will see your new name on your profile and in comments, but they won't receive a message about the change. If you want them to know, you'll need to tell them yourself.

Does my new name have to match my legal name?

No. Facebook accepts nicknames, stage names, pen names, and names that differ from your legal documents. The name just has to follow Facebook's community standards and not look like spam or an attempt to impersonate someone else.

What do I do if Facebook rejected my name?

Try a slightly different version of the name — for example, removing special characters or spacing out letters differently. If that doesn't work, visit the Facebook Help Center and look for the option to appeal the decision. You can explain why the name is legitimate and ask Facebook to review it again.

Can I change my name on messenger without changing it on Facebook?

No. Your Messenger name is linked to your Facebook name. When you change one, the other changes automatically. There's no separate name setting for Messenger.