Where to find the group name settings

To edit your Facebook group name, open the group and look for the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the group header. Click it and select "Edit group settings." The group name field appears near the top of the settings page, and you can change it there directly.

If you do not see the three-dot menu, you may not have admin rights for the group. Only group admins can change the group name. If you created the group, you are automatically an admin. If someone else created it, ask them to make you an admin first, or ask them to change the name for you.

Key Takeaways

  • Only group admins can change the group name, and the change takes effect when ready across all member feeds.
  • Open the group, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Edit group settings" to access the name field.
  • Facebook does not limit how often you can change a group name, but changing it frequently can confuse members about what the group is for.
  • Members receive a notification that the group name changed, so they will see the update within a few hours.

What happens when you change the group name

When you save a new name, Facebook updates it everywhere the group appears — in member feeds, in search results, and in notifications. Members do not have to do anything on their end; the change is automatic.

Members will see a notification in their group feed saying the name changed and who changed it. This notification appears for all members, so if you rename a group without warning, people may be confused about whether they are in the right place. If the group has a clear purpose, a post explaining the name change can help.

Rules and limits on group names

Facebook does not allow group names that impersonate real people, organizations, or public figures. Names that are entirely numbers, or that consist only of symbols, will be rejected. The name must be at least one character and can be up to 255 characters long, though shorter names are easier for members to remember and search for.

You can change the name as often as you want — Facebook does not enforce a waiting period between changes. However, changing the name frequently can make the group harder to find and may frustrate members who are used to the old name. If you are testing different names, do that before the group grows large.

Changing the group name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are the same on the Facebook app and on a computer. Open the group, tap or click the three-dot menu, and select "Edit group settings." On mobile, the menu may appear as three dots or three horizontal lines, depending on your phone and which version of the app you have.

If you are using the mobile app and the menu does not appear where you expect it, scroll to the top of the group page and look near the group name and description. The settings option is usually in that area.

Renaming a group without losing members

Changing the group name does not remove members or change the group's web address. Members stay in the group automatically, and they can still find it by searching for the old name in their group list — Facebook shows them groups they are already in even if the name has changed.

If the group is public and people search for it by the old name, they will not find it in search results anymore. To help people find the group under its new name, you can post an announcement in the group and update the group description to mention what the group was previously called.

When you cannot change the group name

If the "Edit group settings" option is grayed out or missing, you do not have admin rights. Ask another admin to change the name, or ask them to promote you to admin first. If you are the only admin and you cannot access the settings, try logging out and logging back in, or try using a different browser or device.

If Facebook rejects your new name and says it violates community standards, the name likely contains language that impersonates someone, uses hate speech, or is otherwise against Facebook's rules. Choose a different name that describes the group's actual purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change a group name back to what it was before?

Yes. There is no limit on how many times you can change the name. If you want to revert to an old name, go back to the settings and type it in again. Members will see another notification that the name changed.

Will changing the group name affect the group's privacy settings?

No. The privacy level (public, closed, or secret) stays the same. Only the name changes. If the group was private before, it remains private after you rename it.

What if someone else in the group wants to change the name?

Only admins can change the group name. If a regular member wants a name change, they can message an admin and ask. The admin can then decide whether to make the change.

Does Facebook notify people outside the group when the name changes?

No. Only members of the group see the notification. People who are not in the group will not know the name changed unless they search for the group and see the new name in the results.