Facebook lets you change the name on your account once every 60 days through your settings

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to the menu in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. Find the line that says Name and click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided — Facebook splits this into first name and last name — then click Save changes.

The change takes effect when ready. Your friends will see the new name on your profile right away. Facebook keeps a record of your previous names for security reasons, but only you and Facebook can see that history.

If you have changed your name within the last 60 days, the Edit button will not appear. You will have to wait until the 60-day window closes before you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers and fraud.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Name > Edit.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes to protect your account from unauthorized access.
  • Your new name appears to all your friends when ready, but Facebook keeps a record of past names for security.
  • If you cannot find the Edit button, you are still within the 60-day window and must wait to make another change.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook requires you to use the name you go by in everyday life. This can be your legal name, a nickname, a stage name, or a name from your culture or religion. Facebook does not require you to match your government ID.

The platform blocks certain characters and patterns. You cannot use numbers, symbols, or repeated letters in ways that look like spam. Names like "John123" or "J@@@@" will be rejected. Hyphens, apostrophes, and spaces are allowed — so "Mary-Jane", "O'Brien", and "Jean Claude" all work.

If Facebook rejects your name, the system will tell you why. The most common reason is that the name looks like it is trying to hide or advertise something. Try removing numbers, symbols, or extra characters and submit again.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are the same whether you use the Facebook app on your phone or the website on a computer. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner of the app, scroll down to Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. From there, follow the same path: Personal information > Name > Edit.

Some people find it easier to make the change on a computer because the screen is larger and the menu layout is clearer. If you run into trouble on your phone, try the website version instead. The change will sync across all devices once you save it.

What happens to your old name after you change it

Your previous names remain searchable by you in your own account history, but they are not visible to other people. When you change your name, your friends do not see a notification saying "John changed his name to Jane." The new name straightforward appears on your profile.

If someone tagged you in a photo or post before you changed your name, the tag still points to your account — it just shows your new name now. Old messages you sent do not change. If you wrote "Hi, I'm John" in a message before changing your name to Jane, that message still says John.

If you cannot change your name or the button is grayed out

The most common reason the Edit button does not appear is that you have already changed your name within the last 60 days. Check the date of your last change by going to Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information and looking at the name field. If it shows a recent date, you will have to wait.

If the button is grayed out and you have not changed your name recently, your account may have a security restriction. This can happen if Facebook detected unusual activity. Try logging out completely, waiting a few minutes, and logging back in. If the problem persists, you can report the issue through the Help Center by searching "change name" and selecting the option to report a problem.

A very new account (less than a few days old) may also have restrictions on name changes. If your account is brand new, wait a few days before trying again.

Changing your name if your account is hacked or compromised

If someone else changed your name without your permission, change your password when ready. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Password and create a new one that is long and unique. Then change your name back through the same Personal information menu.

If you cannot log in to your account at all, go to facebook.com and click Forgotten password? on the login screen. Facebook will send you a recovery link to the email or phone number you registered with. Use that link to regain access, then change your password and name when ready.

After you regain control, review your recent activity. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Apps and websites to see which apps have access to your account. Remove any you do not recognize. This prevents the person who hacked you from getting back in.

Why Facebook limits how often you can change your name

The 60-day rule exists because frequent name changes are often a sign of account takeover or fraud. If someone gains access to your account, one of the first things they do is change the name to hide the account from you. By limiting changes, Facebook makes it harder for attackers to lock you out of your own account.

This rule also prevents people from using name changes to evade bans or hide their identity while breaking Facebook's rules. Someone banned for harassment cannot straightforward change their name and start a new pattern of abuse on the same account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once if I wait 60 days between changes?

Yes. Once 60 days have passed since your last name change, the Edit button will reappear and you can change your name again. You can change it as many times as you want, as long as you wait 60 days between each change.

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

No. Your friends will not see a notification that you changed your name. They will only see the new name when they visit your profile or see you in their friends list. Old messages and tags still show your previous name.

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

Yes. Facebook allows stage names, nicknames, and names from your culture or religion. You do not have to use your legal name. The name just has to be something you actually go by in real life, not a random string of characters or numbers.

What if Facebook says my name violates community standards?

If Facebook rejects your name, it usually means the name contains numbers, symbols, or patterns that look like spam or an attempt to hide. Try removing those characters. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, you can appeal the decision through the Help Center by searching "name rejected."

Does changing my name affect my username or profile URL?

No. Your username (the part that appears in your profile URL, like facebook.com/yourname) is separate from your display name. Changing your display name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, that is a different setting under Username in your Personal information menu.