You can change a Facebook group name from the group settings, and it takes about two minutes

To change your group name, open the group, click the three dots or gear icon at the top right, select Edit group settings, find the name field, type the new name, and click Save. The change appears immediately to all members. You need to be the group admin or have the permission to edit group settings — regular members cannot change the name.

Facebook does not limit how many times you can change a group name, so you can update it whenever you need to. There is no waiting period between changes, and members see the new name right away in their group list and notifications.

Key Takeaways

  • Only group admins or members with edit permissions can change the group name — regular members cannot.
  • The change takes effect immediately and appears to all members without any delay or approval step.
  • You can change the name as many times as you want, and Facebook does not restrict how often you update it.
  • The process is the same on mobile and desktop, though the menu location may look slightly different depending on your device.
  • Changing the name does not affect the group's URL, member list, posts, or any other group content.

Step-by-step instructions for desktop

Open the group you want to rename and look at the top of the page. Click the three dots (more options) or the gear icon next to the group cover photo. A menu will drop down with several choices.

Select Edit group settings from that menu. You will see a form with several fields, including the group name at the top. Click in the name field, delete the old name, and type the new one. Click the Save button at the bottom of the form. The page will refresh, and your new group name will appear everywhere in the group.

How to change the name on mobile

Open the Facebook app and go to the group. Tap the three dots at the top right of the screen. Scroll down and tap Edit group settings. The name field will appear at the top of the settings screen.

Tap the name field to select it, clear the old text, and type your new group name. Scroll down and tap Save. The app will return to the group page, and your new name will be live. The process is identical on both iPhone and Android.

What happens to the group when you change the name

The group's web address (URL) stays the same even after you rename it. Members who have bookmarked the group or saved a link will still reach it without any problem. All posts, photos, files, and member history remain exactly as they were — renaming only changes the name that appears at the top of the group.

Members receive a notification that the group name has changed, so they will see the update in their notifications feed. The new name appears in their group list, in search results, and anywhere else the group name is displayed on Facebook.

Who can change the group name

The group creator and any admin can change the name. If you are a regular member, you will not see the edit settings option. If you are a moderator, you may or may not have permission to change the name — it depends on what permissions the admin gave you when they made you a moderator.

To check your role in a group, open the group and look for your name in the members list. It will say "Admin," "Moderator," or nothing (which means you are a regular member). If you need to change the name but do not have permission, ask one of the admins to do it for you.

Reasons to rename a group

Groups often get renamed when their purpose changes, when they merge with another group, or when the original name no longer fits what the group does. A group that started as a neighborhood watch might become a general community group and need a broader name. A group for a specific event might be renamed to reflect that the event is over or that it happens annually.

You might also rename a group if the old name had a typo, was too long, or did not show up well in search results. Since you can change it as many times as you want, there is no penalty for experimenting with different names to see what works best for your members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will members lose access to the group if I change the name?

No. The group itself does not change — only the name that appears. Members stay in the group, all posts and files remain, and the group link still works. Members will see a notification that the name changed, but they will not be removed or need to rejoin.

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

Yes. There is no restriction on changing names back and forth. You can rename the group as many times as you want, and Facebook does not prevent you from reusing an old name or changing it again the next day.

What if someone else is an admin and changed the name without asking?

Any admin can change the group name without permission from other admins. If you disagree with the change, talk to the other admins about it. If you are the group creator, you can remove other admins or change the name back yourself.

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

No. Whether the group is public, closed, or secret stays the same. Renaming only changes the name — all other settings, member permissions, and privacy rules remain exactly as they were.