The fastest way to change your Facebook name

Open Facebook on any device, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information, then Name. Type your new name in the field that appears, click Review change, and then Save changes. Facebook will ask you to enter your password to confirm — type it and click Confirm.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Your new name appears on your profile and in comments, messages, and posts immediately. Facebook does not notify your friends that you changed your name, but they will see it the next time they visit your profile or see you in a conversation.

If you are on a phone or tablet, the steps are the same: tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings and privacy, tap Settings, tap Personal information, tap Name, and follow the same process.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, and the change takes effect immediately.
  • Facebook limits how often you can change your name — you must wait 60 days between changes, with some exceptions for legal name changes.
  • Your new name appears everywhere on your account, including old posts and comments, but Facebook does not send a notification to your friends.
  • If you changed your name recently and cannot change it again, you will need to wait until the 60-day window passes or contact Facebook if you have a legal reason.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook requires that your name follow certain rules. You can use letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use symbols like @, #, $, or %, and you cannot use all capital letters or excessive punctuation. Facebook also does not allow names that look like email addresses or usernames.

Your name must be at least two characters long. If Facebook rejects your name, it usually means you used a character it does not allow, or the name looks like it might not be a real name. Try removing numbers, extra punctuation, or unusual spacing and try again.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This is a hard limit — Facebook enforces it to prevent spam and impersonation. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

The 60-day timer starts from the date you made your last change, not from when Facebook processed it. If you changed your name on March 15, you can change it again on May 14. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception unless you are changing your name to match a legal name change document.

Changing your name after a legal name change

If you legally changed your name through a court or government process, you may be able to change your Facebook name before the 60 days are up. Facebook does not automatically know about legal name changes — you have to tell them.

To report a legal name change, go to your Settings, click Personal information, click Name, and look for a link that says Need help? or Why can't I change my name? Click it and select the option for a legal name change. Facebook will ask you to upload a photo of your legal document — a driver's license, passport, court order, or marriage certificate. Upload a clear photo of the document, and Facebook will review it. If they approve it, you can change your name immediately, and the 60-day timer resets.

The review usually takes a few days. Facebook will send you a message when they have made a decision.

What happens to your old name and posts

When you change your name, all your old posts, comments, and messages show your new name. There is no way to keep your old name visible on old content. Anyone who looks at a post you made two years ago will see your current name, not the name you had when you posted it.

Your username (the part that comes after facebook.com/ in your profile link) does not change when you change your display name. Your username is separate and can be changed independently through Settings > Personal information > Username. Many people confuse these two — your display name is what people see, and your username is the link to your profile.

Troubleshooting a rejected name change

If Facebook rejects your name change and you are not sure why, the most common reasons are: you used a character Facebook does not allow, your name looks like it might be fake or a username, you are trying to change it before 60 days have passed, or your account has been flagged for violating Facebook's rules.

Try removing numbers, punctuation, or unusual spacing and submit again. If it still does not work, check the exact error message Facebook shows — it usually tells you what the problem is. If the message says you cannot change your name yet, you are within the 60-day window. If it says your name does not follow naming standards, try a simpler version with only letters and common punctuation.

If you believe Facebook is rejecting your name unfairly, you can report the issue through the Help Center. Go to Settings, click Help and support, search for "change name," and look for the option to report a problem. Describe what happened and what name you are trying to use, and Facebook will review it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name and want to go back to your old name, you can do that after the waiting period ends. The process is the same — go to Settings > Personal information > Name and type your old name.

Do my friends get notified when I change my name?

No, Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in a conversation, but they will not receive a message or alert about the change.

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my real name?

Facebook's policy says you should use the name you go by in everyday life, but the rule is not strictly enforced for nicknames or stage names as long as they follow the naming format rules. If your stage name or nickname contains only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes, it will usually be accepted. If Facebook rejects it, try adding your real name or a middle initial.

What if I forgot my password and cannot confirm the name change?

You will need to reset your password before you can change your name. Click Forgot password? on the Facebook login page, enter your email or phone number, and follow the steps to reset it. Once you have a new password, you can go back to Settings and change your name.

Can I have two names on Facebook at the same time?

No, Facebook only allows one display name per account. You cannot have a first name and a last name displayed separately in a way that shows both versions. Your profile shows one name field, and that is what appears everywhere on your account.