You can change your name on Facebook through your settings, and Facebook lets you do this once every 60 days
To change your name, go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the Facebook app, or the downward arrow in the top right on a computer. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Personal Information and tap or click Name. Type your new name in the fields provided, then tap or click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name will appear, and you can confirm it or go back to edit.
The 60-day waiting period resets each time you make a change. If you just changed your name, you will not be able to change it again until 60 days have passed. This limit exists to prevent impersonation and fraud — Facebook enforces it across all accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Access your name change through Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information, then Name.
- Facebook allows one name change every 60 days, and you cannot change it again until that period ends.
- Your new name appears to your friends and the public once you confirm the change — there is no delay.
- If you are changing your name for safety reasons, also review your privacy settings to control who can see your profile and contact you.
What name format Facebook accepts
Facebook requires that your name contain only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes. Spaces are allowed between parts of your name. The platform does not accept all-caps names, names that are only numbers, or names with special characters like @ or &.
If your legal name contains characters outside this set — for example, accented letters in many non-English names — you may need to use a close approximation. Some users type their name phonetically or use the closest available characters. This is a known limitation of Facebook's name system, and it affects people whose names do not fit English-language conventions.
Changing your name for safety or privacy reasons
If you are changing your name because you are experiencing harassment, stalking, or domestic abuse, a name change alone does not make your account fully private. After you change your name, take these additional steps: go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy. Set Who can see your posts to Friends Only or Only Me. Set Who can contact you to Friends Only.
You should also review your Friend List privacy. Go to your profile, find your friend list, and click the three dots next to it. Select Edit the privacy of your friend list and choose Only Me so people cannot see who you are connected to. If someone is harassing you, report them to Facebook by going to their profile, clicking the three dots, and selecting Report.
What happens to your old name after you change it
Your old name disappears from your profile when ready. People who search for your old name will not find your account — the search system updates right away. However, Facebook keeps a record of your name history internally for security purposes. This means Facebook staff can see that you changed your name, but your friends and the public cannot.
If you had tagged photos or posts under your old name, those tags remain attached to you, but they now show your new name. The content itself does not change — only the name label updates.
If you cannot change your name or get an error message
If Facebook blocks your name change and shows an error, the most common reasons are: you changed your name fewer than 60 days ago, your new name contains characters Facebook does not accept, or Facebook flagged your account for suspicious activity. Wait the full 60 days and try again. If you are using special characters, remove them and use only letters, numbers, periods, hyphens, and apostrophes.
If you believe your account was flagged in error, go to Settings & Privacy, then Help & Support, then Report a Problem. Describe what happened and include the error message you received. Facebook reviews these reports, though response times vary.
Changing your name on other platforms connected to Facebook
If you use Facebook to log into other apps or websites, changing your Facebook name does not automatically change your name on those platforms. Each service stores your profile information separately. You will need to change your name in each app's settings individually. For example, if you use Facebook Login on Instagram, Spotify, or a gaming app, go to that app's settings and update your name there as well.
Check the apps you use regularly and see which ones are connected to your Facebook account. Go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Apps and Websites to see the full list. You can remove access to any app you no longer use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name more than once every 60 days?
No. Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes for all accounts. The timer resets each time you make a change. If you need to change your name again, you must wait the full 60 days from your last change.
Will my friends be notified when I change my name?
Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. However, they may notice the change if they visit your profile or see you in their news feed. Your name change is not broadcast to your entire friend list.
Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my legal name?
Yes. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name — you can use a nickname, stage name, or any name that follows Facebook's format rules. The name you enter is what appears on your profile.
What if someone else is using my name on Facebook?
Report the account to Facebook. Go to their profile, click the three dots, and select Report. Choose It's pretending to be someone and follow the steps. Facebook investigates impersonation reports, though the process can take time.
Does changing my name affect my Facebook username or URL?
No. Your username (the part of your profile URL that comes after facebook.com/) is separate from your display name. Changing your display name does not change your username. You can change your username separately in Settings, but you can only do that once.