Open Facebook settings and find the name option

To change your name on Facebook from your iPhone, open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.

Once you're in Settings, scroll down to find Personal Information and tap it. You'll see Name listed as the first option. Tap on it to edit your current name.

Edit your name and understand Facebook's rules

When you tap Name, a text field appears with your current name. Facebook lets you change your name to what you actually go by — this can include nicknames, maiden names, or names in different languages or scripts. You can include spaces, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes in your name.

Facebook does have restrictions: your name cannot include numbers, symbols (except those listed above), or repeated characters. The platform also won't let you use all capital letters or special characters meant to look like letters. If you try to use something outside these rules, Facebook will show you an error message and won't save the change.

One important detail: you can change your name on Facebook once every 60 days. If you've changed it recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. This limit resets from the date of your last change, not on a calendar schedule.

Save your new name

After you type your new name into the text field, tap the Review Change button at the bottom of the screen. Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear on your profile and across the platform.

If the preview looks correct, tap Save Changes. If you want to edit it again, tap the back arrow or Edit to return to the text field. Once you tap Save Changes, your new name takes effect immediately across Facebook, Messenger, and any other Meta services linked to your account.

What happens if Facebook rejects your name change

If you see an error message saying your name doesn't follow Facebook's rules, the most common reasons are: you used numbers, you used symbols other than hyphens and apostrophes, or you used all capital letters. Go back and remove or change those characters, then try again.

If you believe your name follows the rules but Facebook still rejects it, you can tap Get Help (if that option appears) to contact Facebook's support team. Explain what name you're trying to use and why you believe it should be allowed. Facebook's team reviews these requests, though responses can take several days to arrive.

Your name change and privacy

When you change your name on Facebook, the change is visible to everyone who can see your profile — unless you've restricted who can view your profile information. Your old name does not stay visible anywhere; Facebook replaces it with your new name everywhere it appears on the platform.

If you're concerned about privacy, you can control who sees your name by adjusting your profile privacy settings. Go back to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, scroll to Privacy, and tap it. From there you can set who can see your profile information, including your name. These settings are separate from your name change itself and give you control over visibility.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Facebook app, tap the menu icon, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name to edit your name.
  • Your name can include spaces, hyphens, periods, and apostrophes, but cannot include numbers, symbols, or all capital letters.
  • You can change your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect immediately across all Meta services linked to your account.
  • If Facebook rejects your name, remove any numbers or disallowed symbols and try again, or contact Facebook support if you believe your name follows the rules.
  • Your old name is replaced everywhere on Facebook when you change it, and you can control who sees your name through separate privacy settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a fake name on Facebook?

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life. This can be a nickname, a name in a different language, or a name you've legally changed to — but it should be the name people actually call you. If you use a name that doesn't match how you're known, Facebook may ask you to change it or provide identification.

What if I want to change my name more than once every 60 days?

Facebook's 60-day limit applies to all users. You cannot change your name more frequently than that through the regular settings. If you need to change it sooner for a legal reason (like a court-ordered name change), contact Facebook support with documentation of the change.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, the change appears on your profile and in your activity, so people who visit your profile or see your posts will notice the new name.

Can I change my name on Facebook without using the iPhone app?

Yes. You can change your name on Facebook's website using Safari or another browser on your iPhone, or on a computer. The steps are the same: go to Settings, Personal Information, then Name. The iPhone app is just the most direct route.

What if I change my mind after saving my new name?

You can change your name back to your previous name or to something else, but you'll need to wait until the 60-day period from your last change has passed. Once that time is up, follow the same steps to edit your name again.