You can change your Facebook name through your settings, and Facebook allows this once every 60 days

To change your name on Facebook, go to the menu icon in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Personal information on the left side, then find Name and click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided and click Save changes. The change takes effect immediately, though it may take a few minutes to appear across all your Facebook pages and posts.

Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you changed your name recently and see a message saying you cannot change it again yet, you will need to wait until that period passes. This rule applies whether you changed your name on purpose or Facebook reverted it after a review.

Key Takeaways

  • Access your name settings through the menu icon, then Settings and privacy, then Personal information.
  • Facebook allows one name change every 60 days, and you cannot bypass this waiting period.
  • Your new name appears immediately on your profile but may take a few minutes to update everywhere else on Facebook.
  • Facebook may reject names that look fake, contain numbers or symbols, or violate community standards, and will tell you why.
  • If Facebook disabled your ability to change your name, you can request a review, though approval is not may provide.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires names to follow specific rules. Your name must contain only letters, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes — no numbers, emojis, or special characters. Facebook also rejects names that appear to be fake, such as names made entirely of numbers, names designed to look like a URL or email address, or names that repeat the same word multiple times.

Names that violate Facebook's community standards may also be rejected. This includes names that reference hate groups, contain slurs, or appear designed to harass or impersonate someone. If Facebook rejects your name change, it will show you a message explaining why. You can try again with a different name, or you can request that Facebook review its decision if you believe the rejection was a mistake.

Changing your name if Facebook locked you out

If you see a message saying you cannot change your name and you have not changed it in the past 60 days, Facebook may have restricted your account. This usually happens when Facebook detected a name that violated its standards, or when multiple people reported your name as fake or harassing.

To request a review, click the link in the error message or go to your name settings and look for an option to request a review of Facebook's decision. You will need to provide information about why you believe your name should be allowed. Facebook will review your request, but there is no may provide it will approve the change. The review process can take several days.

How name changes appear to other people

When you change your name, everyone on Facebook sees the new name immediately on your profile. Your old name does not appear anywhere public. However, posts you made before the change still show your old name as the author, unless you edit those posts individually.

People who have you as a friend will see the name change in their news feed as an activity update, similar to when someone changes their profile picture. This notification appears for a short time and then disappears. There is no way to hide a name change from your friends.

Changing your name back or making frequent changes

If you change your name and then want to change it again, you must wait 60 days from your most recent change. This applies even if you want to change it back to your original name. The 60-day rule is firm — Facebook does not make exceptions for people who change their minds quickly or want to test out different names.

If you find yourself wanting to change your name frequently, consider whether a nickname or a Facebook Page might work better for your needs. Pages do not have the same name-change restrictions and are designed for people who want to use a name other than their legal name. You can create a Page and have your friends follow it instead of friending your personal account.

Name changes on mobile versus desktop

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a phone or a computer. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen, then tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to Personal information and tap Name. On desktop, the menu icon is in the top right corner, but the rest of the steps are identical.

If you use the Facebook app on iPhone or Android, the steps are the same as on mobile web. If you use a third-party app or tool that claims to manage your Facebook account, do not use it to change your name — always change your name directly through Facebook's official app or website to avoid security risks.

What to do if your name change is not showing up

After you change your name, it should appear on your profile within a few minutes. If it does not, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Facebook app. If you still do not see the change after 15 minutes, log out and log back in.

In rare cases, Facebook may revert your name change if it detects that the new name violates its standards. If this happens, you will see a notification explaining why. You can then choose a different name and try again. If you believe Facebook made a mistake, you can request a review through the same error message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes. You cannot bypass this by using a different device, browser, or account. If you need to change your name again before 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Yes, your friends will see a notification in their news feed that you changed your name. The notification appears for a short time and then disappears. There is no setting to hide this notification from your friends.

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

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life, which does not have to be your legal name. However, it must not look fake or designed to evade the rules. If you want to use a stage name or nickname that Facebook rejects, consider creating a Facebook Page instead, which allows more flexibility with names.

What happens to my old name after I change it?

Your old name disappears from your profile and is no longer visible to anyone. Posts you made before the change still show your old name as the author. If you want those posts to show your new name, you will need to edit them individually or delete them.

Can I change my name if my account is restricted or disabled?

If your account is restricted, you may not be able to change your name until the restriction is lifted. If your account is disabled, you cannot change your name or access any account settings. You would need to request that Facebook restore your account first.