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.

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. The waiting period is typically 60 days from your last change, though Facebook does not always enforce this strictly. If you are locked out, you can still contact Facebook support to request an exception if your situation is urgent — for example, if you recently married or legally changed your name.

Your new name appears on your profile and in comments, posts, and messages when ready. People who know your old name can still find you through search, and your friends list does not change. If you want to keep your old name visible somewhere, you can add it as a nickname or middle name instead of replacing it entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Personal information to find the name edit option.
  • Facebook usually requires you to wait 60 days between name changes, though exceptions exist for legal name changes.
  • Your new name shows up everywhere on your account right away, but people can still find you by your old name through search.
  • You can add a nickname or middle name if you want to keep your old name visible on your profile.
  • If you are locked out of changing your name, contact Facebook support with proof of a legal name change to request an exception.

What happens if you change your name too often

Facebook flags accounts that change names repeatedly in a short time. The platform treats frequent name changes as a sign of account misuse — either someone trying to evade detection or a compromised account. If you hit the limit, Facebook locks you out of further changes for 60 days.

During that lockout period, you cannot change your name through the normal settings route. You can still use a nickname or add a middle name to adjust how your profile displays, but the primary name field stays frozen. If you need to change your name before the 60 days are up, your only option is to contact Facebook support and explain why — for example, you recently completed a legal name change and have documentation to prove it.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on mobile and desktop, but the menu layout differs slightly. On the Facebook mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Tap Personal information, then tap next to your name to edit it.

On mobile, the process is sometimes faster because the menus are more compact. However, some people find it easier to see all the fields on a desktop screen, especially if you are adding a middle name or nickname. Either way works — use whichever device is in front of you.

Adding a nickname or middle name instead of replacing your full name

If you do not want to replace your current name entirely, you can add a nickname or middle name that displays alongside it. This is useful if you go by a different name than your legal name, or if you want people to know both versions. On the name edit screen, you will see separate fields for first name, middle name, and last name. You can fill in any of these without removing what is already there.

Nicknames appear in parentheses next to your name on your profile — for example, "Sarah (Sam) Johnson". This way, people who know you as Sam can recognize you, and people who know you as Sarah can too. You can change or remove a nickname anytime without hitting the 60-day waiting period, because Facebook treats nickname changes differently from full name changes.

What to do if Facebook will not let you change your name

If you see an error message or the edit button is grayed out, check whether you recently changed your name. If you have, you are in the 60-day waiting period and will have to wait. If you have not changed your name recently, try logging out and logging back in, or try again on a different device or browser.

If the problem persists, contact Facebook support. Go to the Help Center, search for "name change", and look for the option to report a problem. Explain what you are trying to do and what error message you are seeing. Facebook support usually responds within a few days. If you are changing your name because of a legal name change, include a copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — this often speeds up the process and may get you an exception to the 60-day rule.

How your old name affects search and visibility

When you change your name, your old name does not disappear from Facebook's search system right away. People can still find your profile by typing your old name into the search bar, especially if they were friends with you under that name. This is by design — Facebook wants to make sure people can still locate you even if they do not know your new name.

Over time, Facebook's search index updates and your old name becomes less prominent in results. However, if someone searches for your old name and your new name together, your profile will still show up. Your old name also remains visible in the comment history and post history from before you changed it — Facebook does not retroactively update old posts to show your new name.

Changing your name if your account was hacked

If someone else changed your name without your permission, treat it as a security issue. Change your password when ready, then go through the name change process again to restore your correct name. After you change it back, review your recent account activity — Facebook shows you a list of devices and locations that have accessed your account. If you see logins you do not recognize, log out all other sessions by clicking Where you are logged in in Settings.

If you cannot access your account because the hacker changed your email or phone number, go to facebook.com/login/identify and follow the steps to recover your account. Facebook will ask you to identify photos of your friends or answer security questions. Once you regain access, change your password again and enable two-factor authentication to prevent future hacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, changing your name back counts as a name change, so you will hit the same 60-day waiting period. If you changed your name and when ready regretted it, contact Facebook support right away — they sometimes make exceptions for accidental changes made within a few hours.

Does changing your name affect your username or URL?

No. Your username (the part of your profile URL) is separate from your display name. Changing your name does not change your username. If you want to change your username, that is a different setting in the Personal information section, and it has its own rules about how often you can change it.

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, your name change may appear in their activity feed if they have that setting turned on. Most people will not notice unless they are actively looking at your profile.

What if Facebook says my name violates their policies?

Facebook has rules about what names are allowed — for example, you cannot use all numbers, symbols, or characters that are not in standard alphabets. If you see a policy violation message, try using a more standard spelling or format. If your name is genuinely unusual but real, contact Facebook support with documentation (like a birth certificate or ID) to request an exception.

Can I have two different names on Facebook?

You can only have one primary name, but you can add a nickname that displays alongside it. If you need a completely separate account with a different name, you would have to create a second Facebook account, though Facebook's terms of service say you should only have one account per person.