Change your Facebook name in the mobile app in three steps

Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings. Scroll to the Personal Information section and tap Name. Type your new name in the field that appears, then tap Review Change to see how it will look. Tap Save Changes when you're ready.

Facebook allows you to change your name once every 60 days. If you changed your name recently and see a message saying you cannot change it again yet, you'll need to wait until the 60-day window passes. The name you enter must follow Facebook's naming rules — it should be the name you go by in everyday life, not a business name, URL, or string of numbers and symbols.

Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, and in messages within a few minutes. People who know you on Facebook will see the change, but you can control who sees your full profile through your privacy settings if you want to limit visibility.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name on the mobile app.
  • Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days, so you cannot change it again immediately after making a change.
  • Your new name must be something you use in real life — Facebook rejects names that look like usernames, business names, or random characters.
  • The name change takes effect within minutes and shows up across your profile, comments, and messages.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name

If you tap Save Changes and see an error message, Facebook has flagged your entry as not following its naming rules. Common reasons include using numbers as the main part of your name, adding symbols or punctuation that don't belong in a real name, or including a website or business name. Go back and enter the name the way you actually use it — for example, "Maria Garcia" instead of "Maria_Garcia" or "Maria's Designs".

If you have a name with special characters that are legitimate — like an apostrophe in "O'Brien" or a hyphen in "Mary-Jane" — Facebook usually accepts these. Try entering it exactly as it appears on your ID or the way you write it in everyday life. If it still gets rejected and you believe your name is legitimate, you can report the issue to Facebook by tapping the help icon during the name change process.

Changing your name back or fixing a mistake

If you made a typo or want to revert to your old name, you can change it again — but only after 60 days have passed since your last change. The 60-day timer starts from the moment you saved your most recent name change, not from when you started the process. If you need to change it sooner, you cannot do so through the app or website.

Mark your calendar or set a phone reminder for 60 days after your change so you remember when you can make another update. When the time comes, follow the same steps: menu icon > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name.

Why Facebook has a 60-day waiting period

The 60-day rule exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation. If someone gains access to your account, they cannot rapidly change your name to impersonate someone else or hide the account's activity. This delay also gives you time to notice if your account has been compromised — if you see your name changed and you did not do it, you know something is wrong.

This limit applies to everyone equally, regardless of how long you have had your account or how many followers you have. There is no way to bypass it, even if you contact Facebook support.

Changing your username versus your display name

Your name (what you just changed) is different from your username. Your name is what appears on your profile and in comments. Your username is the custom URL people use to find you — it looks like facebook.com/yourname. You can change your username separately, and it has different rules and limits.

If you want to change your username instead, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Username. You can change your username once every 60 days as well, but usernames can include periods and numbers in ways that display names cannot. Most people do not need to change their username — changing your display name is usually what you want.

What to do if you cannot find the name option

If you do not see the Name option under Personal Information, make sure you are using the latest version of the Facebook app. Open your phone's app store (Google Play on Android, App Store on iPhone), search for Facebook, and tap Update if an update is available. Close the app completely and reopen it after updating.

If you still cannot find the option after updating, try logging out and logging back in. Tap the menu icon, scroll to the bottom, and tap Log Out. Then open the app again and log in with your email and password. This refreshes your session and often fixes display issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes for all accounts. There is no exception process or way to change it sooner, even if you contact support or have a business account.

Will my friends see a notification when I change my name?

Your friends will see that your name changed, but Facebook does not send them a specific notification about it. They may notice when they see your profile or if they are looking at recent activity. Your name change does not appear in the main news feed.

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

Facebook's rules say your name should be what you go by in everyday life, but this includes nicknames and stage names if that is genuinely how people know you. If you are a performer or public figure known by a stage name, you can use that. However, if Facebook rejects it, you may need to use the name on your ID.

What if I changed my name by mistake and want to change it back immediately?

You cannot change it back until 60 days have passed. The only option is to wait. Set a reminder on your phone for when the 60 days are up so you can change it back as soon as the restriction lifts.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it on Instagram or other Meta apps?

No. Your Facebook name and Instagram name are separate. If you want to change your name on Instagram, you need to do that through the Instagram app using the same process — go to your profile, tap Edit Profile, and change the name field there.