To change your name on Facebook, open Accounts Center from Settings and privacy, choose Profiles, pick your profile, tap Name, edit it, then review and save the change. After a change you can't change it again for 60 days, so check the spelling before you save.
That's the whole job in one breath. The steps below show exactly where to tap on a phone and where to click on a computer, then cover the usual reasons Facebook says no, and how to add a nickname without touching your real name.
One thing before you start. Facebook wants the name on your profile to be the one you go by in everyday life. If your friends call you Alex and your passport says Alexander, either can work, but a made-up name or a string of emojis won't.
Change your name on the Facebook phone app
- Open the Facebook app and tap the menu (your profile picture or the three lines, depending on your phone).
- Scroll to Settings and privacy, then tap Settings.
- Tap Accounts Center.
- Tap Profiles, then choose the profile you want to change.
- Tap Name and edit your first, middle or last name.
- Tap Review change. Facebook shows you how the name will look.
- Choose how the name shows (for example, with or without a middle name), then tap Save.
- Enter your password if Facebook asks for it.
Facebook moves menus around from time to time. If a menu name looks different in your version, search the app's settings for the word Accounts Center or Name and you'll land in the right place.
Change your name on a computer
The desktop route is the same journey with a mouse. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then Settings and privacy, then Settings. Open Accounts Center, choose Profiles, pick your profile and click Name.
Type the new name, click Review change, choose how it appears and save. Enter your password when prompted. It takes about a minute, and the new name shows on your profile straight away or very shortly after.
I'd always do this on whichever device you use most. If the app on your phone is out of date, update it first, because older versions sometimes hide the Accounts Center option.
What Facebook accepts as a name
Facebook has name standards, and most failed changes break one of them. In plain words, the name shouldn't contain:
- symbols or numbers
- unusual capitalisation, such as every letter in capitals or capitals in the middle of a word
- repeated characters or punctuation
- titles of any kind, such as Dr, Prof or Reverend
- offensive or silly words
The name should be what people really call you, and it should look like a name. Keep it simple and you'll rarely have a problem.
If Facebook won't let you change it
Don't panic if the change is refused. Most of the time one of these reasons applies, and each has a straightforward fix.
| What you see | Likely reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The Name option is greyed out or missing | You changed your name recently. Facebook limits changes, and you can't change it again for 60 days | Wait until the period ends, then try again |
| Facebook says the name isn't allowed | The name breaks the standards, such as a symbol, a title or odd capitals | Remove the extras and use the plain version of your name |
| You see a request form instead of an edit box | Some accounts can't edit the name directly | Fill in the form Facebook shows and follow its instructions |
| You can't find Accounts Center | Your app version shows the menu differently | Update the app, then search settings for Accounts Center |
| The change saved but friends still see the old name | It can take a little while to show everywhere | Refresh, log out and back in, and check again later |
If you only get a request form, don't try tricks to get round it. Fill it in honestly, explain why the name needs to change, and wait for Facebook's reply.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Add a nickname or maiden name instead
Sometimes you don't want to change your name at all. You just want people to find you under another one, like a nickname, a maiden name or the spelling friends use. Facebook handles that separately, and it doesn't use up your name change.
- Open your profile and go to the About section.
- Open Details about you.
- Find Other names and add your nickname or maiden name.
- Choose whether to show it at the top of your profile, then save.
Showing it at the top is handy for a maiden name, because old friends and classmates can recognise you in search. If you'd rather keep it quieter, add it but leave it off the top of the profile.
Changing your name is not the same as changing a Page name
This guide is for your personal profile. A business Page works differently, with its own settings and its own rules. If you're after that, read my guide on how to change a Facebook Page name without losing followers, because the steps and the traps are quite different.
Things worth knowing before you save
- Check the spelling twice. With the 60 day gap, a typo can stay on your profile for a while.
- Tell close friends and family, so they don't think a stranger has added them.
- Your profile link (the one in the address bar) is separate from your name. If you ever need it, here's how to find your Facebook profile ID.
- Your name change doesn't tell everyone who looked at your profile. If you're curious about that side of Facebook, I've covered whether Facebook notifies people when you view their profile.
- If anything in the account looks wrong, such as a name you didn't set, change your password and check who's logged in.
Your name is the first thing people see when they search for you, so it's worth a minute to get it right. Pick the version that friends and colleagues would type in the search box, keep it clean, and add the nickname under Other names if you want both.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to change my name on Facebook?
The change itself takes a minute or two. Once you save it, the new name usually appears on your profile straight away, though it can take a little longer to show everywhere.
How often can I change my name on Facebook?
After you change your name you can't change it again for 60 days. Check the spelling before you save, because a mistake means a wait.
Can I use a nickname as my Facebook name?
Facebook wants the name you go by in everyday life, so a nickname that people really use can be fine. Made-up names, symbols and titles aren't allowed. You can also add a nickname under Other names in your About section.
Why can't I edit my name on Facebook?
The usual reasons are a recent name change, a name that breaks the standards, or an account that only shows a request form. Update the app, check the table above and follow whatever Facebook shows you.
Does changing my name change my Facebook Page name?
No. Your personal profile and a business Page are separate, and a Page has its own name settings.
