You can change your name on Facebook through your settings, and the process takes about a minute

To change your last name on Facebook, go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or click the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Personal Information and tap or click Name. Edit your last name in the field that appears, then click Review Change and confirm.

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. The name you enter must match the name you use in everyday life — Facebook's system flags names that look like nicknames, business names, or special characters strung together, and may reject them or ask you to verify with a government ID.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your last name through Settings > Personal Information > Name on both mobile and desktop versions of Facebook.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, so you cannot change it again immediately after the first change.
  • Your new name must match what you use in real life; Facebook rejects obvious nicknames, business names, and unusual character combinations without ID verification.
  • The name change is visible to your friends and contacts within minutes, and your old name does not appear in search results after the change takes effect.

What happens to your old name after you change it

When you change your last name, your profile updates immediately for anyone viewing your page. Your old name stops appearing in Facebook's search results, and new messages or posts you make will show your new name. People who knew you by your old name can still find you through your username (the custom URL at the end of your profile link) or through mutual friends, but they will see your updated name when they visit your profile.

Your old name does not appear anywhere on your profile or in your activity history. Facebook does not show a log of past names the way some platforms do. If you change your name back within 60 days, you will have to wait the full 60-day period again before changing it a second time.

Why Facebook might reject your name change

Facebook's name system is automated and flags entries that do not look like real names. Common rejections happen when you use all capital letters, numbers, special symbols (like asterisks or underscores), or words that look like nicknames or titles. For example, "SMITH", "Smith123", or "Dr. Smith" may be rejected, while "Smith" or "Mary Smith" will usually go through.

If your name is rejected, Facebook will ask you to either edit it to match their guidelines or verify it with a government ID. You can upload a photo of your driver's license, passport, or state ID. Facebook reviews the ID and either approves the name or explains what part does not match. This process usually takes a few hours to a day.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

Facebook enforces a hard 60-day rule: once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This is a system-wide limit and cannot be waived. If you make a typo or change your mind immediately after, you will have to wait the full period before correcting it.

The 60 days starts from the moment you confirm the change, not from when you first tried. If you attempt a change, get rejected, fix it, and then confirm, the clock starts from that final confirmation. Plan your name change carefully to avoid being locked out if you realize you made a mistake.

Changing your name on Facebook versus your username

Your name and your username are two separate things on Facebook. Your name is what appears on your profile and in posts — this is what you change through Settings > Personal Information > Name. Your username is the custom URL that appears in your profile link (facebook.com/yourname), and you change it through Settings > Personal Information > Username.

You can change your username as often as you want, but you can only change it to a username that is not already taken. Your name change does not automatically update your username, so if you want both to match your new last name, you will need to change them separately. Many people keep the same username for years even after changing their display name, because the username is what friends use to tag you and find you.

What to do if you cannot change your name

If you see an error message when trying to change your name, first check that you are within the 60-day window since your last change. If you are, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then log out and back in. Sometimes a cached version of your account prevents the change from going through.

If the error persists, Facebook may be flagging your name as not matching their real-name policy. In that case, you will see a message asking you to verify with a government ID. Upload a clear photo of the front of your ID showing your name and date of birth. Facebook's review team checks the ID against what you entered and approves or denies the change within a few hours. If your ID does not match what you typed, they will explain the mismatch and ask you to correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my last name without changing my first name?

Yes. When you go to Settings > Personal Information > Name, you can edit just the last name field and leave your first name as is. Facebook treats first and last name as separate fields, so you only change what you want to change.

Will my friends see a notification that I changed my name?

No. Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends will only see the new name if they visit your profile or see you in a tag or comment after the change. Some people may not notice for weeks.

What if my government ID has a different last name than what I want to use?

Facebook requires your name to match your ID if they ask you to verify. If your ID shows a different last name than what you want on Facebook, you will need to either change what you entered to match your ID, or wait until you have updated your government ID and can upload that instead.

Can I use a nickname or stage name as my last name?

Facebook's system usually rejects obvious nicknames or stage names without ID verification. If you want to use a stage name, you can try entering it, but be prepared to upload a government ID that shows that name. Some states allow you to register a stage name on your ID, which Facebook will accept.

How long does it take for the name change to show up everywhere on Facebook?

Your name change is live within minutes on your profile and in new posts or comments. However, old posts and comments you made before the change will still show your old name, because Facebook does not retroactively update past activity. Only new activity going forward shows your new name.