The fastest way to change your Facebook name

Go to your Facebook settings, select "Personal Information," then click "Name" to edit it. Facebook lets you change your name once every 60 days. Type your new name exactly as you want it to appear, then click "Review Change" and confirm. The change takes effect immediately, though it may take a few minutes to show across all your Facebook pages and in other people's friend lists.

You can change your name as many times as you want over time — the 60-day waiting period resets after each change. There is no limit to how many times you can do this, so if you made a typo or changed your mind, you can fix it after two months have passed.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Facebook name change takes effect immediately but may take a few minutes to appear everywhere on the platform.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes to prevent abuse and impersonation.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a middle name, or a combination — Facebook's rules are flexible about what counts as a valid name.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it is usually because the name violates their policies against symbols, numbers, or impersonation rather than a technical error.

Where to find the name change option in settings

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal Information." You will see your current name listed — click on it to open the edit box.

On mobile, the process is the same but the menu may look slightly different depending on whether you use iPhone or Android. The "Settings and Privacy" menu is always in the top right, and "Personal Information" is always the first section under Settings.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires that your name use only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Numbers, symbols, emojis, and special characters will cause the change to be rejected. Your name also cannot impersonate a public figure, celebrity, or business — Facebook's system flags names that look like they are pretending to be someone else.

You can use your real name, a nickname, a stage name, a maiden name, or any combination of these. If you go by one name only, Facebook will accept that. If you want to include a middle initial or middle name, that works too. The name you enter is what appears on your profile and in comments, messages, and posts.

Why Facebook rejected your name change

The most common reason for rejection is that your name contains numbers, symbols, or characters Facebook does not allow. Remove anything that is not a letter, space, hyphen, or apostrophe and try again. If your name includes a period (like "Dr." or "Jr."), Facebook may reject it — try removing the period or spelling it out as a word instead.

The second common reason is that Facebook thinks your name is impersonating someone. If your name is very similar to a celebrity, politician, or well-known business, Facebook's system may flag it. If this happens, you can try a slightly different version — for example, adding your location or a middle initial to make it clear you are not the famous person. You can also contact Facebook to explain, though responses can take time.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This rule applies whether your first change was successful or you had to correct a rejected name. The 60 days starts from the date you made the change, not from when you tried.

If you need to change your name again before 60 days have passed, Facebook will not let you — you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, even if you contact Facebook support. Plan your name changes accordingly if you think you might want to adjust it soon after.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your old name disappears from your profile immediately. People who knew you by your old name will see your new name everywhere — in your profile, in comments you have made, in messages, and in posts. There is no way to keep your old name visible or to show both names at once.

If you had a custom Facebook URL (like facebook.com/yourname), it does not change when you change your name. Your URL stays the same even if your display name changes, so people who have your link can still find you. However, if you want to update your custom URL to match your new name, you can do that separately in your settings.

Changing your name on a business or creator page

If you manage a Facebook page for a business, organization, or creator account, the process is different from changing your personal name. Go to your page, click "Settings" in the top menu, then select "Edit Page Info." Click on the page name to edit it. Business pages do not have a 60-day waiting period — you can change the page name whenever you want.

Keep in mind that changing a business page name is public and visible to everyone who follows the page. If your page has a large following, a name change may confuse people or affect how they search for you. Some businesses keep the same page name for years to maintain recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name on my phone?

Yes. Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to "Settings and Privacy," then "Settings," then "Personal Information," and tap your name to edit it. The process is the same on iPhone and Android.

What if I want to use a name with numbers or symbols?

Facebook does not allow numbers or most symbols in personal names. If your actual name includes numbers or symbols, try spelling them out instead — for example, use "Anne Marie" instead of "Anne-Marie" if the hyphen is rejected, or spell out numbers as words.

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

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days after your last change. Once the waiting period is over, you can change your name to anything Facebook accepts, including a name you used before.

Does changing my name affect my friends list or messages?

No. Your friends list, messages, and all your account data stay exactly the same. Only the name that appears on your profile and in your activity changes. People can still message you and find you by searching.

What if Facebook says my name violates their policies?

Facebook usually rejects names because they contain forbidden characters or appear to impersonate someone. Try a different version of your name without numbers or symbols. If you believe the rejection was a mistake, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center, though response times vary.