Facebook lets you change the name on your account once every 60 days

Go to the top right of Facebook, click the downward arrow next to your profile picture, and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Personal information. Next to your name, click Edit. Type your new name in the fields provided — Facebook separates first name, middle name (optional), and last name. Click Review change, then Save changes.

The change takes effect when ready, but Facebook tracks when you made it. You cannot change your name again for 60 days from the date of your last change. If you try to change it before that window closes, Facebook will show you the exact date you can make another change.

Your old name does not appear on your profile after the change. People who knew you by your previous name can still find you through your username (the custom URL in your profile) or through mutual friends, but they will see only the new name when they visit your profile.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name through Settings and privacy > Settings > Personal information > Edit, and the change takes effect right away.
  • Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes, so plan ahead if you need to change it multiple times.
  • Your old name disappears from your profile, but people can still find you through your username or mutual friends.
  • Facebook has rules about what names are allowed — you cannot use numbers, symbols, or fake names designed to impersonate someone else.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, you can appeal the decision or contact support to explain why the name is legitimate.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook requires names to match the way you actually go by in everyday life. This means your legal name, a nickname you commonly use, or a name from your cultural or religious background. The platform rejects names that contain numbers, special characters (like asterisks or underscores), or excessive punctuation.

Facebook also blocks names that appear designed to impersonate a public figure, celebrity, or brand — for example, a name that is identical to a famous person's name when you are not that person. Similarly, names that look like they are trying to be a business or organization (like "Nike Store" or "Apple Support") will be rejected. If you have a legitimate reason for a name that looks unusual — such as a hyphenated surname, a name with an apostrophe, or a name from a non-English alphabet — Facebook usually accepts it once you provide context.

If Facebook rejects your name change

When you try to save a name that does not meet Facebook's rules, the platform shows an error message explaining why. Common reasons include special characters, numbers, or a name that looks like it is impersonating someone. Read the message carefully — it usually tells you exactly what to fix.

If you believe your name is legitimate and Facebook rejected it by mistake, you can appeal. Click the link in the error message that says something like "Let us know if you think we made a mistake." Explain your situation — for example, if your name includes a symbol or unusual spelling that is authentic to your culture or family. Facebook reviews appeals and often approves them within a few days.

If you cannot reach an appeal option or your appeal was denied, you can contact Facebook support through the Help Center. Go to Help and support in the menu, search for "name change," and look for the option to contact support about your specific problem. Response times vary, but support usually replies within a week.

Changing your name on other parts of your profile

Your Facebook name is separate from your username (the custom URL). Your username appears in the link to your profile — for example, facebook.com/yourname — and does not change when you update your name. You can edit your username separately in the same Personal information section, but you can only change it once.

If you have a Facebook Page (for a business, creator account, or public figure), the Page name is different from your personal profile name. To change a Page name, go to the Page, click Settings, select General, and edit the Page name there. Pages have different rules — you can change a Page name more often than you can change your personal name, but the Page must still follow Facebook's naming rules.

How name changes affect your privacy and who sees what

When you change your name, everyone on Facebook sees the new name when ready. There is no way to hide the change from specific people or make it visible only to certain friends. Your old name does not appear anywhere on your profile, in your timeline, or in search results.

However, people who have already screenshotted or saved your old name elsewhere will still have that information — Facebook cannot remove it from outside sources. If you are changing your name for privacy or safety reasons, also consider reviewing your privacy settings to control who can see your profile, send you messages, or tag you in photos.

Changing your name if you got married, divorced, or changed your identity

Life changes happen, and Facebook understands that people change their names for many reasons. If you got married and took a new last name, divorced and returned to a previous name, or changed your name for any other personal reason, you can update it using the same process. Facebook does not require you to prove the change — you just need to follow the 60-day waiting period between updates.

If you need to change your name multiple times in a short period (for example, if you made a typo and want to fix it right away), you cannot bypass the 60-day rule through support. However, if there is a genuine error — such as Facebook accepting a name that violates its rules by mistake — you can contact support and explain the situation. They may be able to help you make a correction sooner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name back to my old name?

Yes. Changing your name back counts as a name change, so you will need to wait 60 days from your most recent change. If you changed your name yesterday and want to revert it, you cannot do so for 59 more days. Plan ahead if you think you might want to switch back.

Does changing my name on Facebook change it on Instagram or other Meta apps?

No. Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta apps have separate name settings. Changing your name on Facebook does not affect your Instagram profile name. You will need to update each app separately if you want your name to match across all of them.

What happens to old messages or posts after I change my name?

Your old posts and messages stay exactly the same — they do not disappear or get deleted. However, they will show your new name when people view them, not your old name. If someone looks at a post you made a year ago, it will display under your current name.

Can I use a fake name or nickname on Facebook?

Facebook's rules say your name should match how you actually go by in everyday life. A nickname you genuinely use is usually fine, but a completely made-up name designed to hide your identity may be rejected. If Facebook rejects a nickname, you can appeal and explain that it is a name people actually call you.

How long does it take for my name change to show up everywhere on Facebook?

The change is when ready on your profile and in your settings. However, it may take a few minutes to update in search results, on other people's friend lists, and in notifications. If you do not see the change reflected everywhere after an hour, try logging out and logging back in.