How to change your name on Facebook
You can change the name on your Facebook profile through the Settings menu. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then find "Personal Information" and select "Name." Facebook will show you your current name and let you type a new one. The change takes effect immediately, though Facebook limits how often you can change it — typically once every 60 days.
Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, on posts, and in messages. People who know you under your old name will still find you through search, since Facebook keeps a record of previous names. You can change your name back to a former one without waiting the usual 60 days if you made a mistake.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook name changes take effect immediately and show up everywhere on your profile and in your activity.
- You can change your name once every 60 days, though you can revert to a previous name without waiting.
- Facebook keeps a history of your past names, so people can still find you even if you change it.
- Your name must follow Facebook's standards — it should be the name you go by in everyday life, not a business name or string of numbers.
- If Facebook rejects your name change, you can appeal the decision or wait and try again with a different variation.
Step-by-step instructions for changing your name
On a computer or phone, open Facebook and tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or the down arrow in the top right on desktop. Select "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down to find "Personal Information" and click or tap it. You will see your current name listed — click or tap "Name" to edit it.
Type your new name in the field that appears. Facebook shows you how your name will look to others. Once you are satisfied, click or tap "Review Change" and then confirm. The new name is live immediately. If you change your mind within 60 days, you can go back through the same steps and select one of your previous names from the dropdown menu without waiting for the cooldown period to pass.
What names Facebook will and will not accept
Facebook requires names to match what you use in everyday life — your legal name, a nickname, or a name you commonly go by. The platform rejects names that are mostly numbers, use special characters excessively, include business names or brand names, or look like they are trying to impersonate someone else. Single letters or repeated characters like "AAAA" will not work either.
If Facebook rejects your name change, you will see a message explaining why. Common reasons include using too many numbers, including symbols like asterisks or dashes in unusual ways, or using all capital letters. Try removing numbers, simplifying punctuation, or using a variation of the name you want. If you believe your name was rejected unfairly, Facebook lets you appeal the decision directly from the rejection message.
The 60-day waiting period between changes
Facebook enforces a 60-day cooldown between name changes to prevent abuse and account takeovers. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will tell you when you can change it again. This timer resets each time you make a change, even if the change was rejected.
The one exception is reverting to a previous name. If you changed your name and regret it, you can go back to any former name you have used on your account without waiting. This does not reset the 60-day timer — you can still only change to a new name after 60 days have passed since your most recent change.
How your old names stay searchable
When you change your name, Facebook keeps a record of every name you have used on that account. People searching for you by an old name will still find your profile, even though your current name is different. This is useful if friends know you by a former name or if you have changed your name multiple times over the years.
You cannot hide or delete previous names from your profile history. If you are concerned about privacy, remember that only you can see the full list of names you have used — other people see only your current name and can find you through search using old names, but they cannot view your name change history.
What happens to your name across Facebook services
Your Facebook name change affects your profile on Facebook itself, but it does not automatically change your name on Instagram or Messenger if you use those services. Instagram has its own separate username and display name settings. Messenger uses your Facebook name by default, but you can set a custom display name in Messenger settings if you want something different.
If you use Facebook to sign into other websites or apps, those services will see your new Facebook name the next time you log in. However, accounts you created before the name change will keep the old name unless you update them separately in each service's settings.
Changing your name if your account was hacked
If someone else changed your name without permission, start by securing your account. Change your password immediately, review your login activity in Settings, and remove any unrecognized devices. Once your account is secure, you can change your name back through the normal process — reverting to a previous name does not count against the 60-day limit.
If you cannot access your account or suspect ongoing unauthorized changes, report the issue to Facebook through the Help Center. You can also use the "Find Your Account" tool if you cannot log in. Facebook's support team can help you regain control and may be able to reset the name-change timer if your account was compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?
No, Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. The only exception is reverting to a previous name you have used before, which you can do without waiting. If you need to change your name again, you will have to wait until the 60 days have passed since your last change.
Will my friends see a notification when I change my name?
Facebook does not send notifications to your friends when you change your name. However, they may notice the change if they visit your profile or see your name in comments or posts. Your name change appears in your activity log, which close friends can see if they visit your profile.
What if Facebook says my name violates their standards?
Facebook will show you a message explaining why your name was rejected. Common reasons are too many numbers, unusual symbols, or a name that looks like a business or brand. Try removing numbers, simplifying punctuation, or using a different variation. You can also appeal the rejection directly from the error message if you believe it was a mistake.
Does changing my Facebook name change my Instagram name too?
No. Instagram has separate username and display name settings that do not change automatically when you update your Facebook name. You will need to change your Instagram display name separately in Instagram's settings if you want it to match.
Can I see all the names I have used on my account?
Yes. When you go to change your name, Facebook shows you a dropdown list of all previous names you have used. You can select any of them to revert without waiting for the 60-day period. Only you can see this full history — other people cannot view your name change record.