Change your name in Facebook's settings in under five minutes

Facebook lets you change the name on your profile whenever you want, and the process takes just a few clicks. You can do it on your phone or computer. The name you enter is what appears on your profile, in comments, and when you send messages — so change it to whatever you want to go by.

Facebook does limit how often you can change your name: you can change it once every 60 days. If you just changed it recently, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. There is no way around this waiting period.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name from your phone or computer by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information.
  • Facebook allows one name change every 60 days, and you will see a countdown if you have recently changed it.
  • Your new name appears on your profile, in comments, and in messages within minutes of saving the change.
  • If you cannot find the name change option, make sure you are logged into the correct account and that you are not on a very old version of the app.

How to change your name on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Personal Information and tap it.

Tap Name. You will see your current name in a text box. Delete it and type your new name. Tap Review Change at the bottom. Facebook will show you how your new name will appear. If it looks right, tap Save Changes. Your new name is now live.

How to change your name on a computer

Go to facebook.com and log in. Click the downward arrow at the top right of the page, then click Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information.

Click Name. A box will open with your current name. Clear it and type your new name. Click Review Change. Facebook shows you a preview of how it will look. If you are happy with it, click Save Changes. The change takes effect right away.

What happens if you see an error message

If Facebook tells you that you cannot change your name right now, you have hit the 60-day limit. Facebook will tell you exactly when you can change it again. There is no way to speed this up — you have to wait.

If you see a message that your name does not meet Facebook's standards, it usually means you used symbols, numbers, or punctuation that Facebook does not allow in names. Try using only letters and spaces. If you are trying to use a stage name, nickname, or name in a non-Latin alphabet, Facebook may still reject it — try adding a space or period to make it look more like a traditional name format.

Your new name and privacy

Changing your name on Facebook does not change your username (the part that comes after facebook.com/ in your profile link). Your username stays the same unless you change it separately. This means people who have your old profile link can still find you.

Your new name is visible to everyone who can see your profile, based on your privacy settings. If your profile is public, your new name is public. If you have limited who can see your profile, only those people see the new name. Changing your name does not change who can see your posts or send you messages.

Changing your name back or changing it again

You can change your name back to your old name whenever you want, as long as 60 days have passed since your last change. Follow the same steps as above. Facebook counts each change toward the 60-day limit, so if you change your name, then change it back, you still have to wait 60 days before changing it a third time.

If you need to change your name more than once every 60 days for a legal reason — like a court order or marriage certificate — contact Facebook directly through the Help Center. Explain the situation and attach proof. Facebook sometimes makes exceptions for legal name changes, but there is no may provide.

If the name change option is not showing up

Make sure you are logged into the right account. If you have multiple Facebook accounts, you might be looking at the wrong one. Log out completely and log back in to the account you want to change.

If you are on a phone, try updating the Facebook app to the latest version. Older versions sometimes have bugs that hide the name change option. Go to your phone's app store, search for Facebook, and tap Update if you see it. Then try the steps again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name to something with numbers or symbols?

Facebook does not allow numbers or most symbols in names. Stick to letters, spaces, hyphens, and periods. If you want a name like "Mary-Jane" or "Jean-Pierre", those work fine. Names like "Mary123" or "M@ry" will be rejected.

Will my friends see that I changed my name?

Your friends will see your new name the next time they look at your profile or see you in their feed. Facebook does not send a notification saying you changed your name, so some people might not notice right away.

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

You have to wait 60 days before you can change it again, even if you made a mistake. The only exception is if you contact Facebook with proof of a legal name change. Otherwise, you are stuck with the new name for two months.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or profile link?

No. Your username and profile link stay the same. Only the display name changes. If someone has your old profile link saved, they can still use it to find you.

Can I use a fake name or stage name on Facebook?

Facebook's rules say you should use the name you go by in everyday life, but enforcement is inconsistent. Stage names, nicknames, and names in other alphabets sometimes work and sometimes get rejected. If Facebook rejects your name, try adding a space or period, or contact Facebook to ask for an exception.