You can change your Facebook name from your profile settings in about two minutes

Open Facebook and click your profile picture in the top right corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Personal information." Next to your name, click "Edit" and type your new name into the fields provided. Facebook separates first and middle names from last names, so fill in whichever parts you want to use. Click "Review change" and then "Save changes." Your new name appears on your profile when ready.

Facebook limits how often you can change your name. If you changed it recently, you may see a message saying you have to wait before changing it again — typically 60 days between changes. This limit exists to prevent impersonation and account takeovers. If you need to change it sooner because of a security issue, you can contact Facebook support, but they rarely override the waiting period for routine requests.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information to find the name edit option.
  • Facebook requires you to wait about 60 days between name changes, even if you made a typo.
  • Your new name shows on your profile, posts, and comments when ready after you save it.
  • Use your real name or a consistent name you use elsewhere — Facebook may disable accounts that look fake or frequently change names.
  • If someone else has access to your account and changed your name, change your password and review your login activity first.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook asks for a name that matches what you use in everyday life. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Names like "Mary-Jane," "José," "O'Brien," and "Liu 2" all work. Facebook rejects names that look like they are trying to impersonate someone famous, contain only numbers, use special characters like @ or &, or include words the platform flags as spam or harassment.

If you use a stage name, nickname, or name from a different culture, Facebook allows it as long as it is something you actually go by. You do not have to use your legal name. However, if your account gets flagged for looking fake — usually because you change your name very often or use something that looks like a business name — Facebook may ask you to upload an ID to confirm your identity.

Why Facebook might not let you change your name

The most common reason is the 60-day waiting period. If you changed your name within the last two months, you will see a message telling you when you can change it again. There is no way around this except to wait.

Facebook also blocks name changes if your account looks suspicious. This happens when you change your name very frequently, use a name that looks like a business or brand, or if the platform thinks someone else may have taken over your account. If you see an error message instead of the normal name change screen, your account may have been flagged. In that case, change your password, review your login activity under "Where you are logged in," and remove any sessions you do not recognize. Then try changing your name again.

If you still cannot change your name after securing your account, you can report the problem to Facebook through the Help Center. Go to Settings and privacy, click "Help and support," then "Report a problem." Describe what happens when you try to change your name and include any error messages you see. Facebook support usually responds within a few days.

How your name change affects your privacy and what others see

When you change your name, everyone on Facebook sees the new name when ready. Your old name does not appear anywhere on your profile or in your posts. However, people who know you by your old name may not recognize you, so consider letting close friends know if you make a significant change.

Changing your name does not affect your privacy settings. Your profile visibility, who can message you, and who can see your posts stay exactly the same. Your friends list, photos, and all your past posts remain unchanged — only the name attached to them updates.

If you are trying to hide from someone or make your profile harder to find, changing your name alone will not work. That person can still find you through your profile picture, friends list, or by searching your email address if they have it. If you need to actually hide your account, adjust your privacy settings to make your profile private, limit who can find you in search, or consider deactivating your account temporarily.

Changing your name if your account was hacked

If someone else changed your name without permission, start by changing your password when ready. Go to Settings and privacy, click "Security and login," then "Change password." Use a strong password you have not used anywhere else. Then review "Where you are logged in" and click "Log out of all sessions except this one" to force anyone else off your account.

After you have secured your account, you can change your name back. If you cannot change it because of the 60-day limit, go to Settings and privacy, click "Help and support," then "Report a problem." Explain that your account was compromised and someone changed your name. Facebook support can sometimes override the waiting period in security cases, though response times vary.

If you think your account is still being accessed by someone else, enable two-factor authentication. Go to Settings and privacy, click "Security and login," then "Two-factor authentication." Choose whether you want to use an authenticator app, text message, or security key. This makes it much harder for someone to log in even if they have your password.

Changing your name on other parts of your Facebook account

Your profile name is different from your username. Your username is the part that appears in your Facebook URL — for example, facebook.com/yourname. You can change your username separately by going to Settings and privacy, clicking "Personal information," then clicking next to "Username." You can change your username once every 60 days, just like your profile name.

If you use Facebook for a business or public figure page, those pages have their own names separate from your personal profile. To change a page name, go to the page, click "Settings," then "Edit page info," and update the page name there. Page names follow different rules than personal names and can include business descriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my new name to show up everywhere on Facebook?

Your new name appears on your profile, posts, and comments when ready after you save it. However, it may take a few hours to show up in search results or in other people's notifications about your activity. This delay is normal and does not mean anything went wrong.

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

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days between changes. If you changed your name and want to change it back, you will see the same waiting period message. The only exception is if your account was hacked — in that case, contact Facebook support and explain the situation.

What if Facebook says my name is not allowed?

This usually means your name contains characters Facebook does not accept, looks like a business name, or appears to be fake. Try removing numbers, special characters, or extra words. If you use a real nickname or name from another culture, try typing it exactly as you use it in real life. If it still does not work, contact Facebook support with an explanation of why you use that name.

Does changing my name affect my friends list or messages?

No. Your friends list, messages, and all your account data stay exactly the same. Only the name displayed on your profile and attached to your posts changes. Your friends will still be able to message you and see your activity the same way they did before.

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

Yes, as long as it is a name you actually use. Facebook allows nicknames, stage names, and names from different cultures. However, if you change your name very frequently or use something that looks like a brand or business, Facebook may flag your account and ask you to verify your identity with an ID.