The quickest way to change your Facebook name

Go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app, or the downward arrow in the top right on a computer. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Tap or click Personal Information, then Name. Type your new name in the field and tap or click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears, then ask you to confirm. Once you submit, the change takes effect immediately.

On a computer, you can also click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings, and follow the same path to Personal Information and Name. The process is identical whether you use the app or a web browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Your name change shows up right away across your profile, messages, and comments, so anyone who knows you will see the new name immediately.
  • Facebook limits how often you can change your name — you must wait a certain number of days between changes, though the exact wait time varies.
  • Your old name does not disappear from Facebook's records; people can still search for you by your previous name and find your profile.
  • If you change your name to something that looks fake or violates Facebook's naming rules, the platform may ask you to change it back.

What Facebook considers a valid name

Facebook has specific rules about what counts as a real name. You cannot use numbers, symbols, or excessive punctuation. You also cannot use all capital letters, fake titles (like "Dr." or "King"), or repeated characters. The name must be something you actually go by in everyday life — not a business name, a brand, a character name, or a joke.

If you try to change your name to something that breaks these rules, Facebook will reject the change and explain why. If you have already changed to a name that violates the policy and someone reports it, Facebook may lock your account and ask you to change it back to something that follows the rules.

How often you can change your name

Facebook does not let you change your name every day. There is a waiting period between changes, but the exact number of days varies and Facebook does not publish the specific timeframe. Most people report being able to change their name again after several days or a week, but this is not may provide.

If you try to change your name and Facebook says you have to wait, you will see a message telling you when you can make another change. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception.

Changing your name on other platforms tied to Facebook

If you use your Facebook account to log into other apps or websites, changing your Facebook name does not automatically change your name on those platforms. Each service stores your profile information separately. You may need to update your name in those apps individually by going into their own settings.

Instagram, which is owned by Meta (the same company that owns Facebook), sometimes syncs your name across both platforms, but not always. Check your Instagram settings to see whether your name updated there or whether you need to change it manually.

What happens to your old name

When you change your name, your old name does not vanish from Facebook. People can still search for your old name and find your profile in the results. Your old comments, posts, and messages will show your new name, not the old one — Facebook updates the display everywhere.

This means if someone knew you by your old name and searches for it, they will still land on your profile. Your profile URL (the web address) does not change either, so anyone with a direct link to your profile can still reach you.

If Facebook rejects your name change

Facebook may reject your name change for a few reasons: the name violates their naming policy, you are trying to change it too soon after your last change, or the name looks like it might be fake. When this happens, Facebook shows a message explaining the problem.

If you believe Facebook made a mistake, you can appeal the decision through the same settings menu. Select the option to request a review, and Facebook will look at your request again. This can take several days. If your name genuinely is what you go by in real life but does not fit Facebook's standard format (for example, if you use a single name, a name with a hyphen, or a name from a non-English language), explaining this in your appeal can help.

Changing your name on a business or creator account

If you run a Facebook Page for a business or public figure, changing your personal profile name does not change the Page name. Pages have their own separate name settings. To change a Page name, go to the Page, click Settings, select General, and find the Page Name field.

Pages have different rules than personal profiles. You can change a Page name more frequently, and Facebook is less strict about what counts as valid. However, if you change your Page name too often, Facebook may restrict how often you can change it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my name affect my Facebook friends or messages?

No. Your friends will still be your friends, and your messages will still be there. They will simply see your new name when they look at your profile or read old conversations. Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name.

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

Yes, but you have to wait the same amount of time between changes. If you just changed your name and want to revert, you will have to wait several days before Facebook lets you change it again.

What if someone else is using my old name after I change mine?

That is fine. Your old name is no longer tied to your account, so someone else can use it on their profile. Your profile will still be searchable by your old name because Facebook keeps a record of it, but the name itself is not reserved for you.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it on Messenger?

Yes. Messenger pulls your name from your Facebook profile, so when you change your name on Facebook, it updates in Messenger automatically. Anyone messaging you will see your new name.

Can I use special characters or accents in my name?

Accents and diacritical marks (like é, ñ, or ü) are allowed if they are part of your actual name. Numbers, symbols, and punctuation marks are not allowed. If your real name includes a character Facebook does not recognize, you can try entering it and see if Facebook accepts it; if not, you may need to use the closest English equivalent.