You can change your Facebook group name from the group settings menu, and it takes about one minute

Open Facebook and go to the group whose name you want to change. Click the three dots or gear icon near the top of the group page — the exact location depends on whether you are on a phone or computer, but it is always in the upper right area of the group header. Select "Edit group settings" or "Group settings" from the menu that appears. Find the field that says "Group name" and type your new name. Click "Save" or "Done" to confirm the change.

The new name appears when ready to all members. Facebook does not limit how many times you can change a group name, but changing it frequently can confuse members who are looking for the group by its old name. If your group is large or has been around for a while, consider announcing the name change in a post so members know what happened.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a group admin or creator to change the group name — regular members cannot do this.
  • The name change takes effect right away for all members, with no waiting period or approval process.
  • Facebook allows group names up to 80 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
  • If you change the name frequently, post an announcement so members do not lose track of the group.

Where to find the group settings menu on different devices

On a computer, open the group and look at the top right corner of the group header image. You will see a three-dot menu icon (sometimes called a "more" menu) or a gear icon labeled "Settings". Click it and select "Edit group settings" from the dropdown. The settings page opens in a new window or panel on the right side of your screen.

On an iPhone or Android phone, the menu location is the same — top right of the group header — but the icon may look slightly different depending on your Facebook app version. Tap the three dots or gear icon, then scroll down until you see "Edit group settings" or "Group settings". Tap it to open the settings page. The mobile version may show settings in a different order than the computer version, but the group name field is always near the top.

What name changes are and are not allowed

Facebook allows you to change your group name to almost anything, but a few restrictions explore. The name cannot be blank, and it cannot be longer than 80 characters. Avoid names that impersonate a real person, business, or public figure — Facebook may remove the group if the name is deceptive. Names that promote illegal activity or hate speech can also result in the group being taken down.

You can use numbers, spaces, punctuation, and special characters in your group name. There is no rule against changing the name multiple times, but doing so too often can make it hard for members to find the group or remember what it is called. If you are testing different names, settle on one and stick with it for at least a few weeks.

How to announce a name change to your members

After you change the group name, post a message in the group explaining the change. This is especially important if the group has been active for a while or has many members who may not notice the change on their own. Write something straightforward like "We have renamed this group from [old name] to [new name] to better reflect what we do here." This takes 30 seconds and prevents confusion.

If members have bookmarked the group or shared the link with others, the old link still works — it automatically redirects to the new group name. You do not need to update any links or ask members to rejoin. The group URL may change slightly, but Facebook handles the redirect behind the scenes.

What happens if you change the name by mistake

If you change the group name and when ready realize it was a mistake, you can change it back right away. Open the group settings again, type the old name back in, and save. There is no undo button, but the process is fast enough that you can fix it in seconds. Facebook does not notify members every time the name changes, so if you catch it quickly, most people will not even notice.

If you changed the name hours or days ago and want to revert it, the same process applies — just go back to group settings and type the old name. Members may have already seen the new name, so you might want to post a note explaining that you changed it back. This is more common than you might think, especially in groups where the admin is still figuring out the group's purpose.

Permissions: who can change the group name

Only group admins and the group creator can change the group name. If you are a regular member, you will not see the "Edit group settings" option in the menu. If you think you should be an admin but cannot access settings, ask the group creator or an existing admin to promote you. They can do this by going to group settings, finding the members list, and clicking the three dots next to your name to change your role.

If you are the only admin and you leave the group or deactivate your account, the group will have no admin. Facebook will eventually assign a new admin from the active members, but this can take time. If you are stepping away from a group you created, promote at least one other trusted member to admin before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my group name back to something I used before?

Yes. Facebook does not prevent you from reusing old group names. If you want to change back to a previous name, just type it in and save. There is no waiting period or restriction on reusing names.

Will members get a notification when I change the group name?

No. Members will see the new name the next time they visit the group, but Facebook does not send a notification about the change. If you want members to know, post an announcement in the group.

What if someone else created the group and I am an admin?

You can still change the group name as long as you have admin permissions. The creator does not have to approve the change. If you do not see the settings option, check that your role is set to "Admin" and not "Moderator" — moderators have fewer permissions.

Can I use special characters or emojis in the group name?

You can use punctuation and some special characters, but emojis may not work in all cases. Test it by typing the emoji and saving — if it does not appear, Facebook may not support it in group names. Stick to letters, numbers, spaces, and standard punctuation to be safe.

Does changing the group name affect the group URL or link?

The group URL may change slightly, but old links still work. Facebook automatically redirects anyone using the old link to the new group name. You do not need to update links or tell members to use a new URL.