You can change your Facebook name in Settings in about two minutes

Open Facebook on any device, go to the menu (three horizontal lines on mobile, the downward arrow on desktop), and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Click Personal information on the left side. Find Name and click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided, then click Review change and Save changes. Facebook will show your new name to your friends within minutes.

The process is the same whether you use Facebook on a phone, tablet, or computer. If you cannot find these options, make sure you are logged into your own account — you can only change the name on an account you own.

Key Takeaways

  • Facebook lets you change your name as often as you want, but you must wait 60 days between changes if you change it more than once in a short period.
  • Your new name appears to your friends right away, but Facebook may take a few hours to update it everywhere on the site.
  • You can use a nickname, a stage name, or any variation of your real name — Facebook does not require you to use your legal name.
  • If you change your name and then want to change it back, you can do so when ready the first time, but subsequent changes follow the 60-day rule.

What name formats Facebook accepts

Facebook allows you to use your real name, a nickname, a stage name, or any combination you choose. You can include spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. You cannot use numbers, symbols (except hyphens and apostrophes), or all capital letters.

If Facebook rejects your name choice, it usually means the name contains characters the system does not allow, or it looks like spam. Try removing numbers or special characters and try again. If you use a stage name or nickname that does not match your legal name, Facebook will not ask you to prove it — the site does not require legal names.

The 60-day waiting period and when it applies

If you change your name more than once within a short time, Facebook locks you out of further changes for 60 days. This rule exists to prevent account takeovers — if someone gains access to your account, they cannot keep changing your name to confuse you or your friends.

The first time you change your name, you can change it again when ready. The second change within a few days triggers the 60-day lock. If you need to change your name back quickly after a mistake, do it right away before making a second change. After the 60 days pass, you can change your name as often as you want.

How your name change affects your privacy and visibility

When you change your name, everyone on your friends list sees the new name right away. Your old name does not appear in their notifications — they straightforward see you under your new name the next time they look at your profile or messages. People who are not your friends cannot see your name change history.

Changing your name does not change your username (the part after facebook.com/), your email address, or your phone number. It also does not affect your privacy settings. If your profile was private before the change, it stays private. If it was public, it stays public.

What to do if you cannot find the name change option

If the Personal information section does not appear in your Settings, you may be using a very old version of Facebook or a third-party app. Try updating the Facebook app on your phone or using Facebook in a web browser instead. On a computer, go directly to facebook.com and log in, then try the steps again.

If you still cannot find the option, your account may have restrictions. This sometimes happens if Facebook suspects unusual activity or if your account is very new. Wait a few days and try again. If the option never appears, you can contact Facebook through the Help Center (click the question mark icon at the top of the page) and search for "change name" to find support options.

Changing your name on other Facebook products

If you use Instagram or Messenger, those apps pull your name from your main Facebook account. When you change your Facebook name, your name updates on Instagram and Messenger automatically within a few hours. You do not need to change them separately.

If you use Facebook Gaming or other Facebook-owned services, the same rule applies — they all use your main Facebook profile name. Changing your name in one place changes it everywhere.

Why you might want to change your name and what to tell your contacts

People change their Facebook names for many reasons: after a marriage or divorce, to use a nickname instead of a legal name, to correct a spelling mistake, or to match a name change they made in real life. None of these require permission or explanation.

If you change your name and people who know you might not recognize it, consider sending a message to close friends or posting a quick note on your timeline so they know it is still you. This is especially helpful if you are changing from a name people have known you by for years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name to something completely different from my real name?

Yes. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name or any name connected to your real identity. You can use a nickname, stage name, or any text that follows Facebook's format rules (no numbers, no all capitals, no symbols except hyphens and apostrophes).

What happens to my old name after I change it?

Your old name disappears from your profile and from your friends' view. Only you can see a record of past names in your account history. Your friends do not receive a notification that you changed your name — they straightforward see the new name the next time they visit your profile.

If I change my name, will my username change too?

No. Your username (the facebook.com/yourname part) stays the same. Your display name and your username are separate. You can change your display name as often as you want, but changing your username has its own rules and a longer waiting period.

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

Yes, you can change your name back when ready the first time. If you change it again after that, the 60-day waiting period applies. So if you change your name and then change it back, you can do both right away — but a third change would be locked for 60 days.

Does changing my name affect my messages or photos?

No. Your messages, photos, posts, and all other content stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed next to them updates. Old messages you sent will show your new name, not your old one.