Where to find the name change option

Facebook stores your name in your account settings, separate from your profile picture and bio. To change it, open Facebook on any device and go to the menu in the top right corner (three horizontal lines on mobile, a downward arrow on desktop). Tap or click "Settings and privacy," then "Settings."

Once you're in Settings, look for "Personal information" on the left side menu. Click it, then find "Name" in the list. This is where Facebook displays what you entered when you created your account, and it's the only place you can edit it directly.

Key Takeaways

  • Your name change takes effect when ready, but Facebook limits how often you can change it — typically once every 60 days.
  • You can use your real name, a nickname, a professional name, or any combination Facebook accepts, as long as it follows their name standards.
  • If Facebook rejects your name as fake or violates their rules, you'll see an error message explaining why before the change saves.
  • Changing your name does not affect your username (the part after facebook.com/), your email login, or your password.
  • Friends and followers see your new name when ready in their feeds and on your profile, but old posts still show the name you used when you wrote them.

What names Facebook will and won't accept

Facebook has specific rules about what counts as a valid name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes. Names like "Mary-Jane," "José," "O'Brien," and "Jean 2.0" all work. What doesn't work: all numbers, symbols like @ or &, repeated characters (like "Jjjjjjj"), or anything that looks like a fake account or business name.

If you want to use a stage name, nickname, or name that's different from your legal documents, Facebook allows it. You don't have to prove your name is real. However, if your name looks like spam, a brand name, or something designed to confuse people, Facebook's system may flag it and ask you to change it again.

The 60-day waiting period between changes

After you change your name, Facebook won't let you change it again for 60 days. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers and spam. If you try to change your name before 60 days have passed, you'll see a message saying you need to wait, and it will tell you the exact date you can change it again.

The 60-day timer resets each time you make a change. If you change your name on January 15, you cannot change it again until March 15. If you make a mistake in your name change, you'll have to wait the full 60 days before you can fix it, so double-check your spelling before you confirm.

How the change appears to other people

When you change your name, everyone who can see your profile sees the new name when ready. It shows up in their News Feed if they follow you, on your profile page, and in search results. Old posts and comments you made before the change still show the name you used at that time — Facebook doesn't retroactively update your name on past content.

Your username (the custom URL like facebook.com/yourname) stays the same even when you change your display name. This means people can still find you using the old link, and your email login doesn't change. Only the name that appears on your profile and in conversations updates.

What to do if Facebook rejects your name

If you see an error message after trying to change your name, Facebook is telling you the name violates one of their standards. Common reasons include: the name looks like spam, contains too many numbers or symbols, uses all capital letters, or appears to be a business or brand name rather than a person's name.

To fix this, go back to the name field and try a different version. If you're using a nickname or stage name and Facebook keeps rejecting it, try adding a middle initial or a number that's part of how people actually know you (like "Alex 2" if that's how friends refer to you). If the problem continues, you can report the issue to Facebook through the "Get Help" option in Settings, though responses can take several days.

Changing your name on mobile versus desktop

The steps are nearly identical on phone and computer, but the menu locations differ slightly. On iPhone or Android, tap the three lines in the bottom right corner, scroll down to "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings." On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings."

From there, both routes lead to "Personal information" and then "Name." The name field works the same way on both — type your new name, click or tap the confirmation button, and it saves when ready. If you're on a phone and the text is hard to read, switching to desktop can make it easier to spot typos before you confirm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name more than once if I wait 60 days?

Yes. The 60-day limit resets after each change. Once 60 days have passed since your last name change, you can change it again, and then you'll need to wait another 60 days. There's no limit to how many times you can change it over your lifetime, as long as you respect the waiting period between changes.

Will my friends see a notification that I changed my name?

Facebook does not send a notification to your friends when you change your name. They'll see the new name on your profile and in posts, but they won't get a separate alert. Some friends might notice the change if they visit your profile, but others may not realize it happened.

What if I want to use a name with special characters or accents?

Facebook accepts accented letters like é, ñ, ü, and ç. If your name includes these characters, type them directly into the name field. Most keyboards have a way to type accents — on iPhone, hold down a letter to see accent options; on Android, switch to an accented keyboard; on desktop, use your operating system's character map or keyboard settings.

Does changing my name affect my Facebook Messenger conversations?

No. Your Messenger contacts will see your new name in the conversation list and in messages, but the change doesn't affect your ability to send or receive messages. Old messages still show the name you used when you sent them.

Can I use my legal name and a nickname at the same time?

Your name field shows only one name at a time. However, you can include both in a single entry — for example, "Mary Jane Smith" or "Mary (Jane) Smith" — and Facebook will accept it. You cannot have two separate name fields or toggle between names without changing the field itself.