Change your name in Facebook settings anytime

You can change the name that appears on your Facebook profile whenever you want, directly from your account settings. Facebook lets you update your name once every 60 days, and the change takes effect when ready across your profile, posts, and comments. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on a phone or computer.

Your Facebook name is separate from your login email — changing your name does not affect how you sign in. People who know your old name can still find you through search, and your friends will see the change in their feed.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name once every 60 days through the Settings menu on any device.
  • Facebook accepts first and last names, and you can add a middle name or nickname in the middle name field.
  • Your login email and password stay the same when you change your name.
  • The name change appears when ready on your profile and in all your posts and comments.
  • If you change your name back and forth too quickly, Facebook may temporarily lock the feature to prevent misuse.

Steps to change your name on a computer

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen. Select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Personal information.

Find the Name field and click the pencil icon next to it. Delete your current name and type your new first name in the first box. Type your new last name in the second box. If you want to add a middle name or nickname, type it in the middle field. Click Review change when you are done.

Facebook will show you how your new name will appear on your profile. If it looks correct, click Save changes. If you want to adjust it, click the back arrow and edit the fields again. Your new name is now live on your profile.

Steps to change your name on a phone or tablet

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Tap Personal information.

Tap the Name field. Delete your current name and type your new first name in the first box. Type your new last name in the second box. Add a middle name or nickname if you want to. Tap Review change at the bottom of the screen.

Check that your new name displays the way you want it. Tap Save changes to confirm. Your name updates when ready across your profile and all your activity on Facebook.

What happens if you change your name too often

Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days to prevent people from using the feature to hide their identity or evade blocks. If you try to change your name again before 60 days have passed, you will see a message telling you when you can change it next.

If you change your name back and forth repeatedly in a short time, Facebook may temporarily lock the name-change feature on your account. This is a safety measure. If this happens, wait a few days before trying again. You can still use your account normally — only the name-change feature is restricted.

Using a middle name or nickname instead of your legal name

Facebook does not require you to use your legal name. You can use a nickname, stage name, or any name you go by regularly. Type whatever name you want in the first and last name fields. Many people use their middle name as their first name, or add a nickname in the middle field so friends can find them by either name.

Facebook's name policy does ask that you use the name you go by in everyday life, not a random string of characters or numbers. If your account gets flagged for an unusual name, Facebook may ask you to confirm your identity with a photo ID before you can change it again. This is rare and usually only happens if the name looks like it is meant to hide who you are.

Your name change and privacy

When you change your name, everyone on Facebook can see the new name when ready. Your old name does not stay visible anywhere on your profile. However, people who were tagged in old photos with you or mentioned in old posts will still see the context of those posts — the name change does not erase your history.

If you want to limit who sees your profile or posts, use Facebook's privacy settings separately. Changing your name does not affect who can see your profile, posts, or friend list. Those are controlled by your privacy settings in the same Settings menu.

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. If you try to change your name before that time has passed, you will see a message showing the exact date you can change it again. This limit applies to everyone and cannot be bypassed.

Will changing my name log me out of Facebook?

No. Your login email and password do not change when you update your name. You will stay logged in, and your account will work exactly as before. The only thing that changes is what name appears on your profile and in your posts.

Can people still find me if I change my name?

Yes. Your friends can find you by your new name in search. People who knew your old name can also still find you because Facebook keeps a record of past names. Your profile URL (the link to your profile) does not change either.

What if Facebook rejects my name change?

Facebook may reject a name if it looks like it contains symbols, numbers, or characters that are not part of a real name. If this happens, remove any numbers or special characters and try again. If you use a name with unusual spelling or characters from another language, Facebook usually accepts it — try submitting it again or contact Facebook support if the problem continues.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook page or business account?

If you have a Facebook Page (for a business or public figure), that has its own separate name that you change through the Page settings, not your personal profile settings. Your personal profile name and your Page name are independent. Changing one does not affect the other.