How to change your last name on Facebook
You can change your last name on Facebook through your account settings at any time. The process takes less than a minute: go to your profile, click the pencil icon next to your name, edit the last name field, and click "Review Change." Facebook will ask you to confirm the change, and it takes effect immediately. You do not need to provide legal documentation or proof of a name change — Facebook allows you to use any name you choose, as long as it follows their name policy.
The name you enter must be the name you actually go by. Facebook's policy prohibits names that are entirely in numbers, contain symbols or unusual characters, or appear designed to impersonate someone else. If your legal name includes special characters (like an apostrophe or hyphen), Facebook usually accepts those. If your change is rejected, Facebook will tell you why and let you try again with a different name.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your last name from your profile settings without providing any legal documents or proof.
- The change takes effect immediately and is visible to everyone on your friends list and to the public, depending on your privacy settings.
- Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to make multiple changes.
- If your change is rejected, Facebook will explain which part of their name policy it violated and you can try a different name.
Step-by-step instructions for changing your last name
On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook and select "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal Information." Find the "Name" field and click the pencil icon next to it. Delete your current last name and type the new one. Click "Review Change" and then "Save Changes."
On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner and scroll down to "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Tap "Personal Information" and then "Name." Tap the pencil icon, change your last name, and tap "Review Change." Confirm by tapping "Save Changes." The new name will appear on your profile within seconds.
What happens after you change your last name
Your new last name appears on your profile immediately. Everyone who can see your profile — whether that is your friends, the public, or a custom list you have set — will see the updated name. Your old name does not appear anywhere on your profile unless someone tags you in a photo or post using your previous name.
Facebook keeps a record of your name changes for security purposes, but only you and Facebook can see this history. Your friends and followers see only your current name. If you change your name back to your original last name later, it will look like a normal name change, not a reversal.
The 60-day rule and changing your name again
Facebook limits you to one name change every 60 days. If you try to change your last name again before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will show you an error message telling you when you can change it next. This rule applies whether you are changing your first name, last name, or both.
The 60-day timer starts from the date you confirmed your most recent name change, not from when you began the process. If you made a mistake or want to revert to your previous name, you will need to wait until the 60 days are up. Plan your name changes accordingly if you know you may need to make more than one.
Names Facebook will reject
Facebook rejects names that are entirely numbers (like "123456"), names with excessive punctuation or symbols (like "!!!Sarah!!!"), and names that appear designed to impersonate a public figure or brand. Names with a single letter followed by numbers (like "S123") are also typically rejected. If your name includes a legitimate apostrophe, hyphen, or accent mark, Facebook usually accepts it.
If your change is rejected, Facebook displays a message explaining which part of their policy your name violates. You can then try a different version of the name. For example, if "O'Brien" was rejected, you might try "Obrien" or "O Brien" instead. If you believe your name was rejected in error — particularly if it is a legitimate cultural or family name with special characters — you can report the issue to Facebook through their help center.
Privacy and who sees your name change
Your name change is visible to anyone who can see your profile based on your current privacy settings. If your profile is public, everyone on Facebook can see your new last name. If your profile is set to friends-only, only your friends see it. If you have a custom privacy setting for your name, that setting applies to the new name as well.
Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, if you change your name to something very different from your previous one, some friends may not recognize you immediately. You can post on your timeline or send a message to close friends if you want to let them know about the change.
Changing your name if you have a Facebook Page or Business Account
If you manage a Facebook Page (for a business, organization, or public figure), you change the Page name through the Page settings, not your personal profile settings. The process is similar: go to the Page, click "Settings," find "Page Name," and edit it. Pages have different naming rules than personal profiles and do not have a 60-day waiting period between changes, though Facebook may review the change if it appears to violate their policies.
If you have a business account linked to your personal profile, changing your personal last name does not change the business account name. You will need to update each one separately through its own settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to show Facebook a legal name change document?
No. Facebook does not require any legal documentation to change your last name. You can change it to any name that follows their naming policy, regardless of whether you have legally changed your name. Facebook trusts you to use the name you actually go by.
What if I change my last name and then want to change it back?
You can change it back, but you will need to wait 60 days from your first change. The 60-day rule applies to every name change, including reversions. If you made a mistake, you will have to wait the full 60 days before you can restore your original last name.
Will my friends be notified when I change my last name?
Facebook does not send automatic notifications about name changes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you tagged in a post. If you want to let people know, you can post about it or message them directly.
Can I use a nickname or stage name as my last name?
Yes, as long as it follows Facebook's naming policy. You can use any name you actually go by, including nicknames, stage names, or names from a different culture or language. It cannot be entirely numbers, cannot contain excessive symbols, and cannot appear designed to impersonate someone else.
What if Facebook rejects my name change multiple times?
If your legitimate name keeps getting rejected, you can report the issue to Facebook through their help center. Explain that the name is your actual name and provide context if needed. Facebook reviews these reports and may override the automatic rejection if your name is genuine.