Change your name in Facebook settings in under two minutes
To change the name on your Facebook page, open Facebook on any device, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information, then click next to your name. Type your new name and click Review change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears, and you can confirm it or go back and edit it.
The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a computer, phone, or tablet. Your new name takes effect immediately after you confirm it. Facebook keeps a record of your previous names for security reasons, but only you and people you've blocked can see that history.
Key Takeaways
- You can change your name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information, and the change takes effect right away.
- Facebook limits how often you can change your name — typically once every 60 days — to prevent misuse.
- Your old names stay visible to you in your personal information, but other people see only your current name.
- If you cannot change your name because Facebook says you have changed it recently, you must wait until the 60-day window passes.
- Name changes do not affect your username, which is the custom web address people use to find your page.
Step-by-step instructions for desktop
Log into Facebook and look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see a small downward-pointing arrow or your profile picture. Click it. A menu will drop down with several options.
From that menu, click Settings and privacy, then click Settings again. On the left side of the screen, you will see a list of categories. Click Personal information. Your name will appear at the top of this section with an edit button (usually a pencil icon) next to it. Click that edit button. A text box will open showing your current name. Delete the old name and type your new one. Click Review change. Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will look on your page. If it looks correct, click Confirm. If you want to change it again, click the back arrow and edit it.
Step-by-step instructions for phone or tablet
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) in the bottom right corner on iPhone or the top right corner on Android. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll down to Personal information and tap it. Your name will appear with an edit option next to it. Tap the edit button.
A text box will open with your current name highlighted. Delete it and type your new name. Tap Review change. Facebook will show you a preview. If it looks right, tap Confirm. The change happens right away, and you can close the app.
Understanding Facebook's 60-day name change limit
Facebook does not let you change your name more than once every 60 days. This rule exists to prevent people from impersonating others or hiding their identity repeatedly. If you try to change your name and see a message saying you have changed it recently, you have to wait until 60 days have passed since your last change.
The 60-day timer starts from the date you confirmed your most recent name change, not from when you started the process. If you changed your name on January 1st, you can change it again on March 1st or later. There is no way to speed this up or request an exception through Facebook's regular support channels.
The difference between your name and your username
Your name is what appears on your profile and in comments — this is what you just changed. Your username is the custom web address people use to find you, like facebook.com/yourname. These are two separate things, and changing one does not change the other.
If you want to change your username instead, go to Settings > Personal information and look for the Username field. You can change your username once every 60 days as well, but it follows its own timer separate from your name changes. Your username must be between 5 and 50 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.
What happens to your old names
When you change your name, Facebook stores your previous names in your personal information. You can see all your past names by going to Settings > Personal information and scrolling to the name section. Other people cannot see your old names — they only see your current one. This history is for your security, so you can spot if someone has accessed your account without permission.
Your old names do not appear in search results or on your profile. Only you can see the complete list of names you have used on this account. If you see a name in that list that you did not create, change your password immediately and review your account activity.
Troubleshooting when you cannot change your name
If you see an error message when trying to change your name, the most common reason is that you have already changed it within the last 60 days. Check the message Facebook shows you — it will tell you the date you can change it again. If the message says something different, try these steps: log out completely, close the app or browser, wait a few minutes, then log back in and try again.
If you are still stuck, make sure you are using the official Facebook app or website, not a third-party app. Some unofficial apps cannot access the name-change feature. Also check that your account is not restricted or locked — if Facebook suspects unusual activity, it may temporarily block name changes. If none of these steps work, you can report the problem through Facebook's help center, though response times vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my name affect my Facebook friends or messages?
No. Your friends will see your new name on your profile and in comments going forward, but old messages and posts will not change. If you sent someone a message before you changed your name, it will still show your old name in that conversation thread. Your friends list and all your messages stay exactly the same.
Can I change my name to something that looks like a business or public figure?
You can type any name you want into the field, but Facebook may flag it if it appears designed to impersonate someone. If Facebook thinks your name is fake or misleading, it may ask you to confirm your identity or revert to a previous name. Use your real name or a name you actually go by to avoid this.
What if I change my name and then want to change it back?
You can change it back, but you still have to wait 60 days from your most recent change. If you changed your name on January 1st and want to go back to your old name on January 15th, you cannot — you have to wait until March 1st. Plan your name changes carefully if you think you might want to revert.
Will my username change if I change my name?
No. Your username is separate and stays the same unless you manually change it. If your username is facebook.com/john.smith and you change your display name to Jane Smith, your username is still facebook.com/john.smith. People will still find you using the old username.
Can I use special characters or emojis in my name?
Facebook only accepts letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use emojis, symbols, or special characters like @ or #. If you try to use them, Facebook will reject the change and ask you to use only standard characters.