You can change your Facebook nickname in your profile settings in about two minutes

Your Facebook nickname is the alternate name that appears next to your main profile name — it's what friends see when they tag you in posts or comments. You can change it anytime from your profile settings, and the change takes effect immediately across the platform. Facebook lets you set one nickname at a time, and you can update it as often as you want.

The process is the same whether you're on a computer or phone, though the menu locations differ slightly. You'll need to be logged into your account and have access to your profile settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Your nickname appears when friends tag you and is separate from your main profile name.
  • You change your nickname through your profile settings, not through a separate menu.
  • The change shows up immediately for everyone on Facebook once you save it.
  • You can remove your nickname entirely by leaving the nickname field blank.
  • Facebook allows you to change your nickname as many times as you want with no waiting period.

How to change your nickname on a computer

Start by going to your Facebook profile. Click the down arrow in the top right corner of the page — this opens your account menu. Select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings" from the dropdown that appears.

On the left side of the screen, you'll see a menu with several options. Click "Personal information." This section shows your name, email, phone number, and other profile details. Look for the line that says "Nicknames" — it will show your current nickname if you have one, or be empty if you don't.

Click on the "Nicknames" row. A text box will appear where you can type a new nickname or edit your existing one. Type the nickname you want to use, then click "Save changes" at the bottom of the box. Your new nickname is now active on your account.

How to change your nickname on your phone

Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings."

Scroll down to find "Personal information" and tap it. You'll see your name, email, and other profile details listed. Tap "Nicknames" to open the nickname field. Type your new nickname in the text box that appears, then tap "Save" or "Done" depending on your phone's operating system.

The change takes effect right away. You can close the app and your new nickname will be active across Facebook.

What happens when you change your nickname

When you save a new nickname, it becomes the alternate name that shows up when someone tags you in a post or comment. Your main profile name stays the same — the nickname is an addition, not a replacement. Other people see your nickname immediately; there's no delay or waiting period.

If you change your nickname again later, the old one disappears and the new one takes its place. You can have only one active nickname at a time. Removing your nickname is simple: just go back to the Nicknames field, delete the text, and save the change.

Common reasons your nickname might not be showing

Sometimes you'll set a nickname and it won't appear when people tag you. The most common reason is that you haven't saved the change — make sure you click "Save changes" or "Save" after typing your new nickname. If you did save it, try logging out and back in to refresh your account.

Another possibility is that the person tagging you is using an older version of the Facebook app. If they haven't updated their app recently, they may not see your new nickname yet. Ask them to update the app from their phone's app store and try tagging you again.

If your nickname still isn't showing after you've saved it and logged back in, check that you didn't accidentally add extra spaces or special characters that Facebook might not accept. Delete the nickname, wait a few seconds, and try entering it again with just letters and numbers.

Rules for what you can use as a nickname

Facebook doesn't publish a strict list of nickname rules, but the platform does reject nicknames that violate its community standards. You can't use nicknames that impersonate someone else, contain hate speech, or are designed to mislead people about who you are.

Most common nicknames work fine — shortened versions of your name, middle names, maiden names, or names you go by in real life. If Facebook rejects your nickname when you try to save it, the platform will show an error message explaining why. Try a different nickname that doesn't include numbers or special characters if you're having trouble.

Removing your nickname

If you want to stop using a nickname, go back to the Nicknames field in your Personal Information settings. Delete all the text in the box so it's completely empty, then save the change. Your nickname will disappear immediately, and people will only see your main profile name when they tag you.

You can add a nickname back anytime by following the same steps. There's no limit to how many times you can add, change, or remove your nickname.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have more than one nickname at the same time?

No, Facebook only allows one active nickname per account. If you set a new nickname, it replaces the old one. You can change it as often as you want, but only one nickname can be active at any given time.

Will my friends see my nickname change right away?

Yes, the change takes effect immediately. As soon as you save your new nickname, it shows up when people tag you in posts and comments. There's no waiting period or approval process.

Is my nickname the same as my display name?

No, they're different. Your display name is your main profile name. Your nickname is an alternate name that shows up when someone tags you. You can have both at the same time.

What if Facebook won't let me save my nickname?

Facebook rejects nicknames that violate community standards or appear to impersonate someone. If you get an error message, try a different nickname without special characters or numbers. If the problem continues, your nickname may violate Facebook's policies.

Can I see what nickname other people have set?

Yes, when you tag someone in a post or comment, you'll see their nickname if they have one set. It appears as an alternate option next to their main name in the tagging menu.