The Basic Steps to Update Your Facebook Name

To change your name on Facebook, go to the top right of your screen and click the downward arrow, then select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. Find the line that says Name and click Edit. Type your new name into the fields provided — Facebook splits this into first name and last name — then click Review change and Save changes.

The change takes effect immediately. Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, and in posts you make going forward. If you have changed your name recently, Facebook may ask you to wait 60 days before changing it again, depending on how many times you have changed it in the past.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook name changes take effect right away and show up on your profile and all your activity immediately.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a middle name, or any combination — Facebook does not require legal documentation.
  • If you change your name too often, Facebook may lock you out of further changes for 60 days.
  • Your old name does not appear in search results or on your profile once you change it, but people who knew you by the old name may not find you as easily.

What Name Format Facebook Accepts

Facebook allows you to enter almost any name you want. You do not need to provide a birth certificate, government ID, or any legal proof. The name can include letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes. You cannot use all numbers, symbols like @ or &, or excessive punctuation.

Many people use nicknames, stage names, or names in languages other than English. If your name contains characters from another alphabet — Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, or others — Facebook accepts those as well. The only real restriction is that your name must be something you actually go by; Facebook's rules say you cannot impersonate someone else or use a name designed to confuse people about who you are.

When Facebook Locks You Out of Changing Your Name

If you change your name multiple times in a short period, Facebook will prevent you from changing it again for 60 days. This is an automatic limit, not a decision made by a person reviewing your account. The 60-day timer starts from your most recent name change.

If you are locked out, you will see a message saying you cannot change your name right now and when you will be able to again. The only way around this is to wait. You cannot contact Facebook to speed up the process or get an exception. If you made a typo or changed your mind immediately, you still have to wait the full 60 days.

Changing Your Name on Mobile Devices

On the Facebook app for iPhone or Android, the steps are slightly different. Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information, then tap the line showing your current name. Edit your name and tap Review change, then Save changes.

The process works the same way on mobile as on a computer — the change is instant and the 60-day lockout applies if you change your name too often. If you are having trouble finding the settings, make sure you are using the official Facebook app, not a web browser on your phone, because the menu layout is different.

What Happens to Your Old Name After You Change It

Your old name disappears from your profile page and from new posts and comments you make. However, old posts and comments you made under your previous name will still show your old name on them — Facebook does not retroactively update the name on past activity. If someone searches for your old name, they will not find your profile; they would need to search for your new name.

People who were already connected to you will see your new name in their friends list and in notifications. If someone did not know you well and only remembers your old name, they may have trouble finding you after you change it. There is no way to keep your old name searchable or visible once you change it.

Changing Your Name Back or Correcting a Mistake

You can change your name back to what it was before, but you still have to wait 60 days between changes if you have changed it recently. If you made a typo — for example, you meant to type "Sarah" but typed "Srah" — you have to wait the full 60 days before you can fix it, unless this is your first name change ever.

If you have never changed your name on Facebook before, you can change it as many times as you want without hitting the 60-day limit. The limit only kicks in once you have changed your name at least once. So if you are correcting a first-time mistake, you can do it right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my friends see a notification when I change my name?

No, Facebook does not send notifications about name changes. Your friends will see your new name the next time they look at your profile or see you in their friends list, but they will not get a specific alert. If you want people to know you have changed your name, you can post about it or message them directly.

Can I use special characters or emojis in my Facebook name?

You can use some special characters like hyphens, apostrophes, and periods, but not emojis or symbols like @, #, or &. Facebook's system filters out characters it does not recognize. If you try to use an emoji and it does not work, try removing it and using only letters and standard punctuation.

What if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

If Facebook rejects your name, it means the system flagged it as potentially impersonating someone, being offensive, or breaking another rule. You will see an error message. Try a different version of the name — for example, add a middle initial or use a nickname instead. If the problem continues, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center, though responses can take several days.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No. Your Facebook username (the part of your profile URL) is separate from your display name. Changing your display name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, that is a different setting under Personal information, and you can only change it once every 60 days as well.