Facebook lets you change your nickname in your profile settings, and the process takes about two minutes

Your nickname on Facebook is separate from your full name. It appears on your profile and in some places where you interact with others. To change it, you go to your profile settings, find the name section, and update the nickname field. Facebook does not restrict how often you can change it, though the platform does have rules about what you can use as a name.

The steps are the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or phone, though the menu layout differs slightly. You will need to be logged into your account and have access to the email or phone number attached to it if Facebook asks you to confirm the change.

Key Takeaways

  • Your nickname is a separate field from your full name and shows up on your profile and in comments.
  • You can change your nickname by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name.
  • Facebook allows you to change your nickname as often as you want, with no waiting period between changes.
  • Your nickname must follow Facebook's naming rules — no numbers at the start, no excessive symbols, and nothing that looks like a fake account.
  • If Facebook rejects your nickname, the rejection message will tell you which rule it broke.

Steps to change your nickname on a computer

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings. On the left side menu, click Personal Information. You will see a section labeled Name with your current full name and nickname displayed.

Click the pencil icon next to the Name section to edit it. A box will open showing your first name, last name, and nickname field. Type your new nickname into the nickname field. Leave your first and last name unchanged unless you also want to update those. Click Review Change at the bottom of the box.

Facebook will show you a preview of how your new nickname will appear. If it looks correct, click Save Changes. The update takes effect immediately. If Facebook rejects the nickname, it will display an error message explaining which naming rule the nickname broke.

Steps to change your nickname on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal Information, then tap Name.

Tap the pencil icon next to your name. The name editing screen will open. Tap the nickname field and type your new nickname. Tap Review Change when you are done typing. Facebook will show you a preview. If it looks right, tap Save Changes. The change happens right away.

What Facebook's naming rules mean for your nickname

Facebook has specific rules about what characters and formats are allowed in names and nicknames. Your nickname cannot start with a number, cannot be only numbers, and cannot contain excessive punctuation or symbols. Nicknames that look like they are trying to impersonate someone or that use special characters to hide the real name are often rejected.

Common rejections happen when people try to use symbols instead of letters (like "J0hn" with a zero), when they use too many underscores or periods, or when the nickname looks like a business name rather than a person's name. If your nickname is rejected, try removing symbols, using only letters and spaces, or making sure it reads like an actual name someone might have.

Facebook does not require your nickname to match your legal name. It can be a shortened version, a middle name, a maiden name, or any variation you prefer — as long as it follows the naming format rules. You can also leave the nickname field blank if you do not want one.

How your nickname appears to other people

Your nickname shows on your profile under your full name. When you comment on posts or pages, your nickname may appear depending on your privacy settings and where the comment is posted. In some cases, Facebook shows your full name instead of your nickname, particularly in official contexts like business pages or when you are tagged in photos.

People who search for you on Facebook will still find you by your full name, not your nickname. Your nickname does not change your Facebook URL or username — those are separate settings. If you want to change your username (the custom URL for your profile), that is a different process in the same Personal Information section.

What to do if Facebook rejects your nickname

When Facebook rejects a nickname, the error message will specify which rule it broke. Read the message carefully — it usually says something like "Your name can't start with a number" or "Your name contains too many symbols." The most common fixes are removing numbers from the start, reducing punctuation, or spelling out abbreviations.

If you believe Facebook rejected your nickname by mistake, you can try submitting it again with small changes. If the same nickname keeps getting rejected and you think the rejection is wrong, you can report the issue to Facebook through the Help Center. Go to Help & Support in your Settings menu and search for "name" to find the option to report a problem with name review.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can change your nickname as many times as you want with no waiting period. Go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name and type in your old nickname. Facebook will accept it immediately.

Does changing my nickname affect my friends list or messages?

No. Your friends will still see you in their friends list, and your old messages will not disappear or change. Your nickname change only affects how your name displays going forward on your profile and in new comments or posts.

Is my nickname the same as my Facebook username?

No. Your nickname and your username are two separate things. Your username is the custom URL for your profile (like facebook.com/yourname). You can change your username separately in the same Personal Information section, but it has different rules and a 30-day waiting period between changes.

What if I want to remove my nickname entirely?

You can leave the nickname field blank. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name, click the pencil icon, delete the text in the nickname field, and click Save Changes. Your profile will then show only your full name.

Can I use special characters like emojis in my nickname?

Most emojis and special characters are not allowed in Facebook nicknames. Stick to letters, numbers (not at the start), spaces, hyphens, and periods. If you try to use an emoji or symbol and Facebook rejects it, remove it and try again with standard characters.