How to change your name on Facebook

You can change the name on your Facebook profile through your settings menu. Go to the top right of Facebook, click the downward arrow, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information, then find the Name field. Click Edit, type your new name, and click Save changes. Facebook will ask you to re-enter your password to confirm the change.

The name you enter should be the name you go by in everyday life. Facebook checks that you're using a real name — not a business name, nickname, or string of numbers — though what counts as "real" is broader than it used to be. You can include accents, hyphens, spaces, and apostrophes. Once you change your name, you have to wait 60 days before you can change it again, so double-check the spelling before you save.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your name through Settings and privacy → Settings → Personal information → Name, then click Edit and Save changes.
  • Facebook requires you to use a name you go by in real life, not a business name or nickname, though the rules are flexible about what that means.
  • You must wait 60 days between name changes, so verify spelling and capitalization before you save.
  • If Facebook rejects your name as fake, you can appeal the decision by uploading a photo ID or other document that shows the name you want to use.
  • Changing your name on Facebook does not change your username (the part that appears in your profile URL), which you can change separately.

What happens to your old name after you change it

When you change your name, your old name disappears from your profile immediately. People who already know you will see your new name the next time they visit your profile. Your old name does not appear in a history that other people can see — only you know what your previous names were.

Your username — the handle that appears in your profile URL (facebook.com/yourname) — stays the same unless you change it separately. You can change your username once every 60 days through the same Settings menu, under Username. Changing your name does not change your username, and changing your username does not change your name.

If Facebook rejects your name as fake

Facebook's automated system sometimes flags names it thinks don't follow the real-name policy. If this happens, you'll see a message saying your name doesn't follow Facebook's naming standards. You can appeal by clicking the link in that message and uploading a photo ID, passport, birth certificate, or other government document that shows the name you want to use.

Facebook reviews appeals within a few days. If you're using a name that's genuinely yours — even if it's unusual, very short, contains numbers for cultural reasons, or is a name you've legally changed to — include a document that proves it. The appeal process is free and does not require you to contact Facebook support directly.

Changing your name on Facebook but not on other platforms

Changing your name on Facebook does not change your name on Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, or any other app or website. Each platform has its own name field and its own rules about what names are allowed. If you want to use the same name across multiple platforms, you'll need to change it on each one separately.

If you use Facebook to log into other websites or apps, those sites will still see your old name unless they pull your name directly from Facebook at the moment you log in. Most sites pull your name once when you first sign up, so changing your Facebook name later won't update it elsewhere.

Why Facebook might prevent you from changing your name too often

Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes to prevent people from using the name-change feature to evade bans, impersonate others, or run scams. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will tell you when you'll be able to change it again and won't let you proceed.

The 60-day timer resets each time you make a change, even if you change your name back to something you used before. There's no way to shorten this waiting period, and Facebook support cannot override it.

Changing your name if you've had a legal name change

If you've legally changed your name through a court order, you can update Facebook to match your new legal name right away — you don't have to wait 60 days. When you change your name, if Facebook flags it as fake, upload a copy of your court order or updated government ID showing your new legal name. This will move your appeal to the front of the queue.

Keep a copy of your legal name-change document handy in case you need it. Some people take a photo of the court order or their new ID and keep it on their phone so they can upload it quickly if Facebook questions the change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a nickname or stage name on Facebook instead of my legal name?

Facebook's policy says you must use the name you go by in everyday life, which can include a stage name, nickname, or name from a different culture if that's what people actually call you. If you use a nickname and Facebook rejects it, you can appeal with a document showing people know you by that name — a driver's license, passport, or even a professional credential.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

You can change your name back, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. The 60-day rule applies to any name change, whether it's to something new or back to something old. If you changed your name recently and want to revert, you'll have to wait until the 60 days are up.

Does changing my Facebook name change my email address?

No. Your email address and your display name are separate. Changing your name does not change the email you use to log in or the email Facebook sends notifications to. You change your email address separately in Settings under Email.

Can I have spaces or special characters in my Facebook name?

Yes. Facebook allows spaces, hyphens, apostrophes, and accented letters in names. Numbers are usually not allowed unless they're part of a name in your culture. If Facebook rejects a name with special characters, try removing them and resubmitting, or appeal with a document showing that's your real name.