How to Change Your Name on Your Facebook Page
Changing your name on Facebook sounds simple — and it usually is — but there are enough variables between personal profiles, Facebook Pages, and different devices that the process trips people up more often than you'd expect. Here's a clear breakdown of how it actually works, and what affects whether you can do it smoothly or run into friction.
Personal Profile vs. Facebook Page: Know Which One You're Changing
Before anything else, it helps to understand that Facebook treats these as two completely different things:
- A personal profile is your individual account — the one tied to your real name.
- A Facebook Page is a public-facing page you manage — for a business, brand, public figure, community, or organization.
The steps, rules, and restrictions are meaningfully different depending on which one you're updating. Most people searching this question actually mean one of two scenarios: they want to update their personal name, or they manage a Page (like a business) and want to rename it.
How to Change Your Name on a Personal Facebook Profile
On Desktop
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings & Privacy → Settings.
- Under the General tab, find Name and click Edit.
- Enter your first, middle, and last name as you want them to appear.
- Enter your password to confirm, then click Save Changes.
On Mobile (iOS or Android)
- Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) — top right on Android, bottom right on iOS.
- Scroll down to Settings & Privacy → Settings.
- Tap Personal and account information → Name.
- Edit your name and confirm with your password.
Facebook's Name Rules
Facebook has an enforced policy requiring users to go by the name they're actually known by in everyday life. This means:
- Nicknames are only allowed in certain formats (e.g., adding a nickname in the middle name field)
- Unusual characters, symbols, or titles generally won't be accepted
- Names that look like businesses or organizations will be flagged
If your name change is rejected, Facebook may ask you to submit a government-issued ID to verify your identity.
The 60-Day Restriction ⏳
One of the most important things to know: Facebook limits how often you can change your name. Once you've changed it, you typically can't change it again for 60 days. This applies to personal profiles and is one of the top reasons people get stuck — they make a small typo or reconsider the change and find themselves locked out of editing it again.
How to Change the Name on a Facebook Page
This is where things get more nuanced. Renaming a Facebook Page (for a business, brand, or public figure) is a separate process and comes with its own set of conditions.
Steps to Rename a Facebook Page
- Go to your Facebook Page (not your personal profile).
- Click Page Settings — usually found in the left sidebar or under the three-dot menu on the Page.
- Select Page Info or General (depending on your Page layout).
- Find the Name field and click to edit it.
- Submit your request for review.
Page Name Changes Are Not Instant
Unlike profile name changes, Page name changes go through a review process. Facebook's team reviews the request to ensure the new name:
- Accurately represents the Page's purpose
- Doesn't include generic terms used deceptively (e.g., renaming a niche local shop to something that implies it's a national brand)
- Doesn't violate Facebook's Page naming policies
Approval can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days. You'll get a notification once it's reviewed.
Factors That Affect Whether You Can Change a Page Name
Not all Pages have equal flexibility. Here's what commonly determines your outcome:
| Factor | How It Affects the Name Change |
|---|---|
| Page size (follower count) | Pages with large followings face stricter review |
| Page category | Some categories (e.g., public figure, government) have tighter naming rules |
| Recent name change history | Pages that have changed names recently may be restricted from doing so again quickly |
| Page age and activity | Newer Pages may get quicker approvals; older established Pages get more scrutiny |
| Verification status | Verified Pages may have additional hoops to jump through |
What Happens to Your URL After a Name Change 🔗
Your Facebook username (the URL slug — like facebook.com/yourbrandname) is separate from your display name. Changing your name does not automatically change your URL. That requires a separate update to your username/vanity URL, and the same change-frequency restrictions apply.
This distinction matters practically: if someone saved a direct link to your Page, they'll still reach you through the old URL even after a display name change — until the URL is updated separately.
When Facebook Rejects a Name Change
Both profile and Page name change requests can be declined. Common reasons include:
- The name violates Facebook's community standards
- The new name doesn't match the Page's established purpose or audience
- The name includes restricted words or phrases
- You've hit the change frequency limit
If rejected, Facebook usually provides a reason and may allow you to submit an appeal or alternative name.
The Part Only You Can Determine
The steps above cover the mechanics reliably — but whether this goes smoothly for you depends on factors specific to your situation: how long ago you last changed the name, what category your Page falls under, how many followers it has, and how closely your desired name aligns with Facebook's current policies.
Those variables don't have universal answers. Your Page's history and Facebook's review queue on any given day are things only your own account can surface. 🖥️