Where to Find the Name Change Option

Open Facebook on your computer or phone and go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner (on desktop) or bottom menu (on mobile). Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal information." You will see your name listed at the top — click the pencil icon next to it to edit.

On mobile, the layout is slightly different but the path is the same: tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down to "Settings and privacy," tap "Settings," then tap "Personal information." The name field will appear with an edit option next to it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your name change takes effect when ready, but Facebook limits how often you can change it — typically once every 60 days.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a professional name, or a combination, as long as Facebook's name standards allow it.
  • Facebook will not accept names that look like fake accounts, include numbers or symbols (with rare exceptions), or appear to be a business name.
  • If your change is rejected, Facebook will tell you which rule it broke — read that message carefully before trying again with a different name.

What Names Facebook Will and Will Not Accept

Facebook requires names to look like real human names. This means your first and last name should be readable letters only — no numbers, no emoji, no special characters like asterisks or underscores. A few exceptions exist: hyphens and apostrophes are allowed in names like "Mary-Jane" or "O'Brien," and some accented letters work depending on your language.

Names that look like business accounts, fake profiles, or spam will be rejected. Examples include "John's Pizza," "Best Deals 2024," or "XXX_Gaming_XXX." If you want to use a stage name, nickname, or professional title, keep it in the format of a person's name — "Jasmine Sky" works, but "DJ Jasmine Sky Productions" does not.

If Facebook rejects your name, you will see a message explaining why. Common reasons are that it contains numbers, looks like a business, or appears to violate their standards. Read the specific reason and adjust your entry before trying again.

The 60-Day Waiting Period Between Changes

Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days. This rule exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed since your last change, Facebook will show you a message saying when you can change it next.

The 60-day timer starts from the date of your most recent successful change, not from when you attempted a change that was rejected. If you made a typo and Facebook rejected it, you can try again when ready — the rejection does not count toward the timer.

Changing Your Display Name Versus Your Profile Name

Facebook has two separate name fields that can cause confusion. Your profile name is what appears on your profile page and in search results — this is what you change in Settings under "Personal information." Your display name is a shorter version that can appear next to your posts and comments in some places.

Most people only need to change their profile name. The display name is optional and many users leave it blank. If you want to set a display name, you can do that in the same "Personal information" section — look for a field labeled "Display name" or "Name" depending on your Facebook version.

What Happens to Your Old Name After You Change It

When you change your name, your old name disappears from your profile when ready. People who search for your old name will not find you by that name anymore — they will only find you by your new name. Your friends will see the new name on your profile and in their friend list.

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends telling them you changed your name. Some people may not notice for weeks. If you want to let people know, you can post about it or message close friends directly.

If Your Name Change Gets Rejected

When Facebook rejects a name, the rejection message will specify which rule it broke. The most common reasons are: the name contains numbers or symbols, it looks like a business or brand name, it appears to be spam or fake, or it violates Facebook's community standards.

Read the rejection message carefully. If it says your name "looks like a business," remove words like "shop," "studio," "brand," or numbers. If it says it contains invalid characters, remove anything that is not a letter, hyphen, or apostrophe. Try again with a simpler version of the name you want.

If you believe Facebook rejected your name by mistake — for example, your real name genuinely contains numbers or symbols — you can appeal the decision. Look for an "Appeal" button in the rejection message and explain your situation. Facebook reviews appeals, though the process can take several days.

Changing Your Name on Mobile Versus Desktop

The process is nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu locations differ slightly. On desktop, you navigate through the top menu and left sidebar. On mobile, you use the three-line menu icon at the bottom and tap through the same settings.

Some users report that the mobile version occasionally shows a slightly different interface depending on whether they use the Facebook app or the mobile website. If you cannot find "Personal information" in the app, try opening Facebook in your phone's web browser instead — the layout may be clearer there.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. If you changed your name and want to revert to your old name, you can do that after the waiting period expires. The old name does not have any special status — it counts as a regular name change.

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

No, Facebook does not automatically notify your friends. They will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their friend list, but they will not receive a message about the change. If you want people to know, you need to tell them yourself.

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my real name?

Yes, as long as it follows Facebook's name format rules. A nickname like "Jasmine Sky" or a stage name like "Marcus Stone" is acceptable. What matters is that it looks like a person's name, not a business or brand. Avoid numbers, symbols, or words that suggest a company or fake account.

What if I share a name with someone famous?

You can use your real name even if it matches a celebrity or public figure. Facebook does not reserve names for famous people. However, if your profile looks like an impersonation — for example, if your photo is the celebrity's photo or your bio claims to be them — your account could be reported and disabled.

How long does it take for my name change to show up everywhere?

Your name change appears on your profile and in search results when ready. However, it may take a few hours to show up in all places across Facebook, such as in older comments or in some people's cached versions of your profile. This delay is normal and usually resolves within a day.