You can change your Facebook name in Settings, and Facebook lets you do this once every 60 days

To change your name on Facebook, go to the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the app, or click the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Scroll to Personal Information and tap or click Name. Type your new name in the fields provided, then tap or click Review Change. Facebook will show you how your new name appears, and you can confirm or go back to edit it.

Facebook enforces a 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you just changed your name, you will not be able to change it again until 60 days have passed. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers and impersonation — if someone gains access to your account, they cannot immediately change your name multiple times to hide the breach.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Facebook name once every 60 days through Settings > Personal Information > Name on both the app and desktop version.
  • Facebook accepts most name formats, including spaces, hyphens, and accents, but rejects numbers and special characters like @ or &.
  • Your old name remains visible to you in your activity log, and friends who saw your previous name will not be notified of the change.
  • If Facebook rejects your name change, it usually means the name violates their naming policy — you can appeal the decision through the same settings screen.

What names Facebook will and will not accept

Facebook's naming policy requires that you use the name you go by in everyday life. This means your legal name, a common nickname, or a name you are known by professionally. Facebook does not require you to use your legal name — you can use a nickname if that is what people actually call you.

Facebook rejects names that contain numbers (except in rare cases like "2Pac"), symbols like @, &, or *, or excessive punctuation. Names that look like usernames, brand names, or titles (like "Dr." or "King") are often rejected. If your name genuinely includes a number or symbol — for example, a hyphenated surname or an accent mark — you can appeal Facebook's rejection and explain why the name is authentic.

What happens to your old name and who sees the change

When you change your name, your old name does not disappear entirely. You can see every name you have used in your Activity Log under the Your Activity section. Only you can see this history — other people cannot view your past names.

Friends and people who follow you will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed. Facebook does not send a notification saying your name has changed. If you want people to know about the change, you can post about it or tell them directly.

Changing your name if you have a username

Your Facebook name and your username are separate things. Your name is what appears on your profile and in posts. Your username is the custom URL — the part that comes after facebook.com/ in your profile link.

You can change your name without changing your username, and vice versa. If you want to change your username, go to Settings > Personal Information > Username. You can change your username once every 60 days, just like your name. Changing one does not affect the other.

If Facebook rejects your name change

Facebook may reject your name if it violates their naming policy. Common reasons include using numbers, symbols, excessive punctuation, or a name that looks like a username or brand. When this happens, Facebook shows you a message explaining why the name was rejected.

You can appeal the rejection by clicking the Appeal button on the rejection screen. Explain why the name is authentic — for example, if your surname genuinely contains a number or hyphen, describe that. Facebook reviews appeals within a few days, though some take longer. If your appeal is denied, you will need to choose a different name that fits their policy.

Changing your name on the Facebook app versus desktop

The process is nearly identical on the app and desktop, but the menu locations differ slightly. On the app, tap the three lines in the bottom right corner. On desktop, click the downward arrow in the top right. Both lead to Settings, where you find Personal Information and then Name.

Some people find the desktop version easier to navigate if they are making multiple changes at once, since you can see more of the settings page at once. The app version works just as well if you are on your phone. Either way, the 60-day waiting period applies across both versions — changing your name on the app counts toward your next change on desktop.

Changing your name after a legal name change

If you have legally changed your name — through marriage, divorce, or a court order — you can update your Facebook name to match. You do not need to provide Facebook with legal documents. Simply change your name in Settings the same way you would for any other name change, and you are done.

If you are changing your name for safety reasons — such as escaping harassment or domestic violence — Facebook has additional options. You can contact Facebook's support team through Settings > Help & Support to discuss your situation. They may be able to help you change your name outside the normal 60-day window or assist with other privacy settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my Facebook name more than once every 60 days?

No. Facebook enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between name changes. If you need to change your name for safety reasons, you can contact Facebook support through Settings > Help & Support to explain your situation, and they may make an exception.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name?

No. Facebook does not send notifications when you change your name. Your friends will see your new name the next time they visit your profile or see you in their feed, but they will not receive an alert about the change.

Can I use a fake name or stage name on Facebook?

Facebook's policy says you should use the name you go by in everyday life. A stage name or professional name counts if that is what people actually call you. A completely fictional name usually violates the policy and will be rejected.

What if I want to change my name back to what it was before?

You can change your name back, but you still have to wait 60 days from your last change. The 60-day limit applies whether you are changing to a new name or reverting to an old one.

Does changing my name on Facebook change my email or password?

No. Changing your name only changes what appears on your profile. Your email, password, and login information stay exactly the same. You log in with your email and password, not your name.