You can change your name on Facebook through your settings, and the process takes about two minutes

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. Next to your name, click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided — Facebook separates first name, middle name, and last name. Click Review change, 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 cannot change it again for 60 days. This is a built-in restriction to prevent misuse, not an error. If you see this message, you will need to wait until the 60-day window passes before making another change.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach the name change option through Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information.
  • Facebook requires you to wait 60 days between name changes, so plan ahead if you need to update it multiple times.
  • Your new name appears on your profile right away, but it may take a few minutes to show up in search results and on other people's screens.
  • You can use your legal name, a nickname, a stage name, or any combination — Facebook does not require you to prove your identity.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook allows letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes in your name. You can use your legal name, a nickname, a stage name, or any mix of these. Facebook does not require you to provide ID or proof that the name is real — the platform trusts you to choose what you want to be called.

Avoid using only numbers, symbols, or characters that look like spam. Facebook's automated system may flag names that appear to violate its rules, though you can appeal the decision if this happens. Names that impersonate public figures or celebrities may also trigger a review, but you can still use them if you are not trying to deceive people about who you are.

The 60-day waiting period explained

After you change your name, Facebook locks you out of making another change for 60 days. This timer resets each time you make a change, so if you change your name today, you cannot change it again until 60 days from now. The restriction applies whether you change it once or multiple times — each change starts a new 60-day countdown.

If you try to change your name before the 60 days are up, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next. There is no way to bypass this waiting period, and contacting Facebook support will not speed it up. Plan your name changes carefully if you need to update your profile multiple times.

How long it takes for your new name to show everywhere

Your name changes on your profile page when ready, but it may take a few minutes to an hour for the change to appear everywhere else on Facebook. Your friends' feeds, search results, and comments you have already posted will eventually show your new name, but there is a delay as Facebook's systems update across all its servers.

If someone searches for your old name, they may still find your profile for a short time. This is normal and does not mean the change did not work. After a few hours, searching for your old name will not lead to your profile anymore.

Changing your name on mobile devices

The process is the same on the Facebook mobile app as it is on a computer. Open the app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and tap Personal information. Tap next to your name to edit it, type your new name, and tap Save changes.

On iPhone, the menu button is in the bottom right. On Android, it is also in the bottom right. The exact location of buttons may shift slightly depending on your app version, but the path through Settings and privacy to Personal information stays the same.

What happens to your old name

Your old name does not stay visible anywhere on your profile. Once you change it, your old name is gone from your public profile, your comments, and your posts. People who knew you by your old name may not recognize you at first, but they can still find you through your profile picture or by searching your email address if they have it.

Facebook keeps a record of your name changes internally for security reasons, but only you and Facebook can see this history. Your friends and followers cannot view a list of your past names. If you want people to know you have changed your name, you can post about it on your timeline.

If Facebook blocks your name change

Facebook may reject your name change if the system thinks it violates the platform's rules. Common reasons include names that appear to be spam, names that impersonate someone else, or names with unusual character combinations. If your name is blocked, you will see a message explaining why.

To appeal, click the link in the rejection message and explain why you use that name. Facebook reviews appeals within a few days. If you are using a stage name, nickname, or cultural name that the system flagged, explain that in your appeal. Most appeals succeed if you are honest about why you chose the name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to my old name right away?

No, you must wait 60 days after your last name change before changing it again. If you changed your name today and want to change it back tomorrow, you cannot — the 60-day timer applies to any change, including reverting to a previous name.

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

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

Can I have two different names on Facebook?

No, you can only have one name per account. If you need a separate identity for work, creative projects, or privacy reasons, you would need to create a second Facebook account with a different email address.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?

No, your username and profile URL are separate from your display name. Changing your name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, you do that through a different settings page under Username in your Personal information section.

What if someone else is using my old name?

Once you change your name, no one else can use your exact old name on their profile — Facebook does not allow duplicate names. If someone tries to use your old name, they will see an error. Your old name is reserved for you during the 60-day waiting period in case you want to change back.