Facebook lets you change the name on your account from your settings, and the process takes about two minutes

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal Information. Find the row that says Name and click Edit. Type your new name in both fields — first name and last name — then click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears to others. Click Confirm to save it.

You can change your name as often as you want, but Facebook enforces a waiting period between changes. If you just changed your name, you will need to wait 60 days before changing it again. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation.

Facebook has rules about what names are allowed. Your name cannot contain numbers, symbols, repeated characters, or unusual spacing. It also cannot be a business name, a title, or a phrase — Facebook expects the name field to hold what people actually call you. If you try to enter something that breaks these rules, Facebook will reject the change and ask you to try again.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your name through Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Name, and the change takes effect when ready.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes to prevent account misuse.
  • Your name cannot include numbers, symbols, or business titles — Facebook only accepts personal names.
  • The name you enter appears to your friends and the public based on your privacy settings, so choose what you want others to see.

What name Facebook will actually accept

Facebook rejects names that look fake or commercial. You cannot use all capital letters, numbers, underscores, periods, or hyphens in unusual places. You also cannot use accents or special characters unless they are part of a real name in your language — for example, José or Müller are allowed, but random symbols are not.

If Facebook rejects your name change, the rejection message will tell you why. Common reasons are numbers in the name, too many capital letters, or spacing that looks intentional rather than natural. Try removing numbers, using standard capitalization (first letter of each name capitalized), and removing extra spaces.

If you have a name that genuinely does not fit Facebook's rules — for example, a single name, a name with numbers that are part of your actual name, or a name in a script Facebook does not recognize — you can request an exception. Go back to the Name field, click Edit, and look for a link that says "Report a Problem" or "Having trouble?" This opens a form where you can explain your situation and upload ID if needed.

How your new name appears to different people

Your Facebook name is public by default. Anyone who searches for you, visits your profile, or sees your posts will see the name you entered. If you want to control who sees your real name, you need to adjust your privacy settings separately — changing your name does not automatically hide it.

Your name appears the same way everywhere on Facebook: in your profile, on your posts, in comments, and in friend requests. You cannot have different names for different audiences. If you want people to see a nickname instead of your legal name, you enter the nickname in the Name field, and that is what everyone sees.

Some people use a middle name, a nickname, or a shortened version of their name on Facebook instead of their legal name. This is allowed as long as it follows Facebook's format rules. Just remember that you cannot change it again for 60 days, so make sure you are happy with what you enter before you confirm.

What to do if you cannot change your name

If Facebook will not let you change your name and you have already waited 60 days since your last change, the problem is usually the format of the name you entered. Go back and check for numbers, symbols, extra spaces, or unusual capitalization. Remove anything that does not look like a standard personal name and try again.

If you have waited 60 days and your name is formatted correctly but Facebook still rejects the change, your account may have a restriction. This sometimes happens if Facebook detected unusual activity or if someone reported your account. Try changing your password first, then attempt the name change again. If it still does not work, use the "Report a Problem" link in the Name field to contact Facebook support.

Facebook support responds to name change problems through the form you submit. There is no phone number or live chat for this issue. After you submit the form, check your email for a response — it usually arrives within a few days, though it can take longer during high-volume periods.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on phone and computer, but the layout is slightly different. On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Facebook app, tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then tap Personal Information. Find Name and tap Edit. Type your new name and tap Review Change, then Confirm.

On a computer, the Settings menu is in the top right corner of Facebook. Click the downward arrow, then Settings & Privacy, then Settings. The Personal Information section is on the left side. The change takes effect when ready on all devices — you do not need to log out and back in.

Why Facebook limits how often you can change your name

The 60-day waiting period exists because frequent name changes are often a sign of account takeover or impersonation. If someone gains access to your account without permission, one of the first things they do is change the name to impersonate someone else or hide the account's real owner. By limiting changes, Facebook makes it harder for someone to take over your account and use it to deceive your friends.

This limit also prevents people from using name changes to evade blocks or reports. If someone is blocked by a friend or reported to Facebook, they cannot when ready change their name and create a new identity to contact that person again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a nickname or stage name instead of my legal name?

Yes. Facebook only requires that your name follow its format rules — no numbers, symbols, or unusual spacing. You can enter any personal name you want, including a nickname, stage name, or middle name. Just remember you cannot change it again for 60 days.

What happens to my old name after I change it?

Your old name disappears from your profile and all your posts. People who knew your old name will see the new name everywhere. Your old name is not searchable anymore, though Facebook keeps a record of the change in your account history for security purposes.

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

Yes, but you have to wait 60 days from your most recent change. If you changed your name today and want to change it back tomorrow, you cannot — you must wait 60 days. After that, you can change it to anything that follows Facebook's rules.

Does changing my name affect my friends list or messages?

No. Your friends list stays the same, and all your messages remain in your inbox. People you have messaged will see your new name in the conversation, but the messages themselves do not change. Your name change does not log you out or affect any other part of your account.

What if Facebook says my name violates its policies?

This usually means your name contains numbers, symbols, or looks like a business name or title. Remove anything that is not a standard personal name and try again. If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook is wrong, use the "Report a Problem" link to submit an appeal with ID or documentation.