Change your name in Facebook settings in under two minutes

To change your name on Facebook, open the app or website, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the downward arrow on desktop), select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Find Personal information in the left menu, click Name, type your new name in both the first and last name fields, and click Save changes. Facebook will update your profile immediately.

You can change your name as often as you want, but Facebook enforces a waiting period between changes. If you just changed your name, you will need to wait 60 days before changing it again. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook lets you change your name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name, and the change takes effect right away.
  • You must wait 60 days between name changes, so plan ahead if you need to correct a typo or update your name again soon.
  • Facebook requires you to use your authentic name — the one you go by in everyday life — not a nickname, business name, or made-up name.
  • If Facebook blocks your name change and says your name violates community standards, you can appeal the decision or contact support for help.

Step-by-step instructions for mobile and desktop

On mobile (iPhone or Android): Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information and then Name. Clear the current name fields and type your first name and last name. Tap Save at the top right.

On desktop: Go to facebook.com and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Click Settings and privacy, then Settings. In the left menu, click Personal information. Click the Name row. Type your new first and last name in the fields that appear. Click Save changes.

After you save, your new name shows on your profile, in comments, and in messages within seconds. Friends will see the change in their news feed as a notification that you updated your name.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires you to use your authentic name — the one you actually go by in real life. This means your legal name, a common nickname, or a name you are known by in your community. Facebook will reject names that are clearly fake, offensive, or designed to impersonate someone else.

Names Facebook typically blocks include business names (like "Sarah's Salon"), all numbers or symbols, repeated characters (like "Jjjjj"), names with unusual spacing or punctuation, and names that appear to be jokes or slurs. If Facebook rejects your name, the rejection message will tell you why. You can try again with a different version of your name, or you can appeal the decision if you believe your name is authentic.

If you want to use a stage name, pen name, or nickname professionally, you can add it to your profile under a different section — your About section or Work and education — but your primary name field must still be your authentic name.

The 60-day waiting period between name changes

After you change your name, Facebook locks you out of changing it again for 60 days. This rule applies whether your change was successful or rejected. If you made a typo or want to correct your name immediately, you will have to wait the full 60 days.

The only way around this is to contact Facebook support and explain the situation. Go to the Help Center, search for "name change", and look for the option to report a problem with your name. Explain that you made a typo or need to correct an error, and Facebook may reset your timer. There is no may provide they will, but it is worth asking if the mistake is significant.

What to do if Facebook blocks your name change

If you see a message saying your name violates Facebook's community standards, it means Facebook thinks your name is fake, offensive, or impersonating someone. The most common reason is that your name looks like a joke or contains numbers and symbols. Read the rejection message carefully — it usually tells you what the problem is.

To fix this, try removing numbers, symbols, or extra spaces. Use only letters, hyphens, and apostrophes. If your name genuinely contains numbers or symbols (like a hyphenated last name or an apostrophe), try typing it exactly as it appears on your ID or legal documents.

If you believe your name is authentic and Facebook made a mistake, click Appeal on the rejection message. Explain that this is your real name and provide any details that help — for example, "This is my legal last name" or "I go by this name in my community." Facebook will review your appeal, usually within a few days.

Changing your name does not affect your username or friends list

Your Facebook name and your username are two separate things. Changing your name does not change your username (the part that appears in your profile URL, like facebook.com/yourname). If you want to change your username as well, you do that in a different section of Settings under Username.

Changing your name also does not affect your friends, messages, photos, or any other part of your account. All your data stays exactly where it is. Your friends will simply see your new name on your profile and in their notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, but you will have to wait 60 days from your last name change. After 60 days have passed, go back to Settings > Personal information > Name and type your old name. Facebook will let you change it because the waiting period has ended.

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

Yes. Your friends will see a notification in their news feed that says you changed your name. The notification shows your old name and your new name, so they know who made the change.

What if I want to use a different name on Facebook than my legal name?

Facebook requires your primary name to be authentic, but you can add nicknames, stage names, or other names to your About section or Nicknames field. This way people can still find you by other names without violating Facebook's policy.

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

No. If Facebook has restricted your account or locked you out for security reasons, you will need to unlock your account first. Follow Facebook's instructions to verify your identity, then you can change your name once your account is fully accessible again.

Does changing my name on Facebook change my name on Instagram or WhatsApp?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are separate apps with separate profiles. Changing your name on one does not change it on the others. You will need to change each profile separately if you want the same name across all three.