How to Change Name on Facebook (Desktop & Mobile 2026)

Quick Answer: To change your name on Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Account Center > Personal details > Name, enter your new name, click Review Change, confirm with your password, and save. You can only change your name once every 60 days.

Why You Might Need to Change Your Facebook Name

Life changes, and your Facebook name should reflect who you are today. Common reasons people change their Facebook name include:

Legal name changes:

Marriage or divorce (updating to spouse's name or reverting to maiden name)
Legal name change through courts
Adoption
Gender transition

Personal preferences:

Started using a different version of your name (e.g., Michael to Mike)
Want to use your middle name
Correcting spelling errors from when you first created your account
Updating to a name you're commonly known by

Professional reasons:

Separating professional identity from personal
Matching your name across business platforms
Brand consistency for content creators

Privacy concerns:

Making yourself less searchable
Protecting against harassment or stalking
Using a safer variation of your real name

Whatever your reason, Facebook's name change process is straightforward - but it comes with strict policies and limitations you need to understand first.

Facebook's Name Policy: What You Need to Know

Before changing your name, you must understand Facebook's naming rules. Facebook requires users to use their "authentic name" - the name they go by in everyday life.

What Facebook Allows:

✅ Your real name or the name you're commonly known by in daily life ✅ Name variations that are authentic (Mike instead of Michael) ✅ Cultural name variations (different scripts for the same name) ✅ Legitimate nicknames as alternate names (shown in parentheses) ✅ Maiden names as alternate names ✅ Professional names as alternate names (stage names, pen names) ✅ Middle names included in your full name

What Facebook Prohibits:

❌ Symbols (!@#$%^&*) ❌ Numbers (except in legitimate names) ❌ Unusual capitalization (tYLeR, JOHN) ❌ Repeated characters (Juuuliaaaa) ❌ Punctuation used incorrectly ❌ Titles (Dr., Prof., Mr., Mrs.) ❌ Phrases or random words instead of names ❌ Fake names or impersonations ❌ Offensive words ❌ Characters from multiple languages mixed together (unless authentic)

The 60-Day Rule (Critical Limitation)

You can only change your name once every 60 days.

This is Facebook's most important restriction. If you make a spelling error or change your mind, you'll have to wait the full 60 days to correct it. There are NO exceptions to this rule - even if you made a genuine mistake.

Why this matters: Double-check everything before hitting "Save Changes." One typo means waiting two months to fix it.

How to Change Your Name on Facebook (Desktop)

The desktop method gives you the most control and clearest view of your changes.

Step-by-Step Process:

Step 1: Log into Facebook

Go to facebook.com
Enter your login credentials

Step 2: Access Settings

Click your profile picture in the top right corner
Click Settings & Privacy
Select Settings

Step 3: Navigate to Account Center

In the left sidebar, click Account Center
Under "Account Settings," click Personal details

Step 4: Select Your Profile

Click Profiles
Select your Facebook profile from the list
If you have Instagram or other Meta accounts, they'll appear here too

Step 5: Edit Your Name

Click Name
You'll see fields for:
- First name (required)
- Middle name (optional)
- Last name (required)
Enter your new name

Step 6: Review Change

Click Review Change
Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear
Carefully check for spelling errors

Step 7: Confirm with Password

Enter your Facebook password in the popup
This security step confirms you're the account owner

Step 8: Save Changes

Click Save Changes
Your name will update within minutes (sometimes instantly)

Step 9: Wait for Approval (If Required)

Most name changes are approved immediately
If Facebook flags your name as unusual, it may require review
You'll receive a notification if additional verification is needed

How to Change Your Name on Facebook (Mobile)

The mobile app process is nearly identical but with a slightly different navigation path.

For iOS (iPhone/iPad):

Step 1: Open Facebook App

Launch the Facebook app
Make sure you're logged in

Step 2: Access Menu

Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the bottom-right corner

Step 3: Open Settings

Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy
Tap Settings

Step 4: Go to Account Center

Tap See more in Accounts Center under "Account settings"
Tap Personal details

Step 5: Select Your Profile

Tap Profiles
Select your Facebook profile

Step 6: Edit Name

Tap Name
Enter your new first name, middle name (optional), and last name
Tap Review Change

Step 7: Confirm and Save

Enter your password when prompted
Tap Save Changes

For Android:

Step 1: Open Facebook App

Launch the Facebook app

Step 2: Access Menu

Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top-right corner

Step 3: Navigate to Settings

Tap Settings & Privacy
Tap Settings

Step 4-7: Follow Same Steps as iOS

The remaining steps are identical to iPhone instructions
Navigate to Account Center > Personal details > Profiles > Name
Make changes, review, enter password, and save

What Happens After You Change Your Name

Once you submit your name change, here's what to expect:

Immediate effects:

Your new name appears on your profile (usually instantly)
Your new name shows in friends' News Feeds
Your new name appears in search results

What stays the same:

Your Facebook username (URL) does NOT automatically change
Your Page names are NOT affected (those must be changed separately)
Your messages show your new name retroactively
Your previous posts and comments update to show your new name
Your 60-day waiting period begins

Friend notifications:

Friends are NOT directly notified of your name change
However, they'll see your new name when viewing your profile or seeing your posts
There's no announcement or notification sent

Search visibility:

People can find you by your new name immediately
Your old name may still appear in Facebook's search cache for a short time

Facebook Name Verification: If You're Asked for ID

Facebook may require you to verify your identity if:

Your name seems unusual to their system
You've changed your name multiple times
Your name contains uncommon characters
Facebook's AI flags your name as potentially fake
Someone reports your profile

Accepted Forms of Identification:

Government-issued IDs (1 document required):

Passport
Driver's license
National ID card
State ID card
Birth certificate
Green card
Immigration documents

Non-government IDs (2 documents required if no government ID):

School/college ID with photo
Library card
Work ID badge
Professional license or certificate
Yearbook photo
Utility bill showing your name
Bank statement
Marriage certificate
Name change certificate
Military ID
Medical records
Social welfare card

Requirements for ID submission:

Must clearly show your name
At least one ID should show your photo or date of birth
Name on ID must match the name you're requesting
Document must be valid (not expired)
Photo/scan must be clear and readable
All four corners must be visible
No glare or blurriness

How to Submit ID for Verification:

Facebook will prompt you with a verification request
Click the verification link in the notification
Select your document type
Take a clear photo or upload a scan
Submit for review
Wait 24-48 hours for Facebook to review
You'll receive notification once approved

Pro tip: Use your phone camera (not computer webcam) for better quality. Place ID on a dark surface for contrast, ensure good lighting, and avoid glare.

How to Add a Nickname or Alternate Name

If you don't want to fully change your primary name, Facebook allows you to add alternate names that appear in parentheses.

Types of Alternate Names You Can Add:

Nickname - What friends call you (e.g., Mike, Liz, TJ)
Maiden name - Your name before marriage
Birth name - Your name at birth (if legally changed)
Professional name - Stage name, pen name, business name
Name in another language - Different script version
Former name - A previous legal name
Alternate spelling - Different spelling of your name
Name with title - Academic or professional title

How to Add an Alternate Name:

Desktop:

Go to your profile
Click About
Click Details About You
Under "Other Names," click Add a nickname, a birth name...
Select the name type from the dropdown
Enter your alternate name
Check Show at top of profile (optional)
Enter your password
Click Save Changes

Mobile:

Go to your profile
Tap About
Scroll to Details About You
Tap Add a nickname, a birth name...
Select name type and enter the alternate name
Choose visibility options
Save changes

How alternate names appear:

Your primary name: John Smith
With alternate name: John Smith (Johnny)

Benefits of alternate names:

People can find you by multiple names in search
You maintain your legal name as primary
No 60-day waiting period for alternate names
Can add up to 50 alternate names
Each can have different visibility settings

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Issue 1: "You Can't Change Your Name Right Now"

Cause: You changed your name within the last 60 days.

Solution: Wait until 60 days have passed since your last name change. Check your name change history in your Activity Log. There are no exceptions or workarounds.

Issue 2: "This Name Isn't Allowed"

Causes:

Contains symbols or numbers
Uses titles (Dr., Mr., Mrs.)
Has unusual capitalization
Contains offensive words
Doesn't follow Facebook's name policy

Solution: Revise your name to follow Facebook's guidelines. Remove any prohibited elements and try again.

Issue 3: "Please Confirm Your Identity"

Cause: Facebook needs to verify you're using your real name.

Solution: Upload a clear government-issued ID or two non-government IDs showing your name. Make sure the name on your ID matches exactly what you're trying to change your name to.

Issue 4: ID Was Rejected

Common reasons IDs are rejected:

Photo is blurry or unclear
Name on ID doesn't match requested name exactly
ID is expired
Wrong document type selected
Portions of ID are cut off or obscured
Glare makes text unreadable

Solution: Take a better quality photo using these tips:

Use phone camera, not computer webcam
Place ID on dark flat surface
Ensure all four corners are visible
Turn off flash to reduce glare
Make sure text is sharp and readable
Submit correct document type

Issue 5: Name Change Still Pending Review

Cause: Facebook is manually reviewing your request.

Solution: Wait 24-48 hours. Check for notifications from Facebook. If no response after 3 days, try submitting different documentation.

Issue 6: Can't Find Name Settings in App

Cause: App interface may vary based on updates.

Solution:

Update Facebook app to latest version
Use desktop site if mobile isn't working
Try Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal details
Look for "Account Center" in settings

Issue 7: Changed Name by Mistake

Cause: Typo or incorrect name entered.

Solution: Unfortunately, you must wait 60 days to change it again. There is no immediate fix. This is why reviewing before saving is critical.

Name Change vs. Username Change

Many people confuse Facebook name with Facebook username. They're different:

Facebook Name:

Your full name displayed on your profile
What people see when you comment or post
Appears in search results
Subject to 60-day limit

Facebook Username:

Part of your profile URL (facebook.com/username)
Also called your @name
Used for tagging and mentions
Can be changed more frequently
Must be unique across Facebook

To change your username:

Go to Settings > Username
Enter a new username
Check if it's available
Save changes

Changing your name does NOT automatically change your username. You must change them separately.

Special Considerations

For Businesses and Pages

Personal profiles: This guide covers personal profile name changes only.

Business Pages: Page name changes follow different rules:

Go to Page Settings > Page Info
Edit Page Name
Subject to approval and different restrictions
May require verification of business legitimacy

For People with Unique Names

If you have a name from a non-Western culture or a name that includes:

Characters from non-Latin alphabets
Legitimate single names (mononyms)
Names with apostrophes or hyphens

Facebook should accept these if they're authentic. If rejected, you may need to provide ID verification.

For Trans and Non-Binary Individuals

You have the right to use your chosen name on Facebook, even if it doesn't match your legal documents yet. However:

Facebook may require verification
You can explain your situation when submitting ID
Consider adding your legal name as an alternate name (hidden) temporarily
Once you have updated legal documents, submit those

For Recently Married or Divorced

After marriage:

You can update to your spouse's name
May need to provide marriage certificate
Consider adding maiden name as alternate name

After divorce:

You can revert to maiden name
May need divorce decree or legal name change documentation

For People Using Stage Names

Performers, writers, and creators can:

Keep legal name as primary
Add stage name as alternate/professional name
Or change primary name to stage name (may require verification)
Consider creating a separate Facebook Page for your professional persona

Best Practices for Changing Your Facebook Name

1. Choose Wisely You only get one change every 60 days. Make it count.

2. Review Three Times Check spelling, capitalization, and spacing before saving. One typo means a 60-day wait.

3. Have ID Ready If Facebook might flag your name as unusual, have your ID scanned and ready to submit.

4. Consider Alternate Names First If you just want friends to find you by a nickname, add it as an alternate name instead of changing your primary name.

5. Change Username Too If you want your URL to match your new name, remember to change your username separately.

6. Update Other Platforms If changing for consistency, don't forget to update Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.

7. Check Name in Search After changing, search for yourself to see how your name appears to others.

8. Be Patient with Verification If asked for ID, the process takes 24-48 hours. Don't repeatedly submit documents.

9. Keep Legal Documentation Handy Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court name change orders may be needed.

10. Don't Fight the 60-Day Rule There's no workaround. If you need to change again, you must wait the full 60 days.

Common Questions

How many times can I change my name on Facebook? Unlimited times over your lifetime, but only once every 60 days. Each change starts a new 60-day waiting period. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Will my friends be notified when I change my name? No. Facebook does not send notifications to friends when you change your name. However, they'll see your new name when viewing your profile, posts, or comments.

Can I use a nickname as my main Facebook name? Yes, if it's a name you're commonly known by in daily life. However, it's often better to add nicknames as alternate names and keep your legal name as your primary name.

What happens to my old posts after I change my name? All your old posts, comments, and messages automatically update to show your new name. There's no way to keep your old name on previous content.

Can I change my name if I don't have an ID? If Facebook requires verification, you'll need ID. However, most name changes don't require verification. If you truly don't have any accepted forms of ID, you may not be able to change your name on Facebook.

Does changing my name change my Facebook URL? No. Your Facebook username (part of your URL) is separate and must be changed independently in Settings > Username.

Can I change my name more frequently than every 60 days? No. The 60-day rule is absolute. Even Facebook support cannot override this limitation. Plan your name change carefully.

What if my name change is rejected? Review Facebook's name policy, ensure your name follows all guidelines, and try again. If rejected again, you may need to submit ID verification or choose a different name that complies with policies.

Can I hide my real name and use only a nickname? No. Facebook requires your primary name to be your authentic name. You can add nicknames as alternate names, but your real name must remain your primary name.

What if my legal name has changed but my ID hasn't been updated yet? You can submit other legal documentation like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for name change. Include a note explaining your situation.

The Bottom Line

Changing your name on Facebook is a straightforward process that takes less than 5 minutes. The most important things to remember are:

Review carefully before saving (60-day rule means no quick corrections)
Follow Facebook's name policy (authentic names only, no symbols/titles)
Be prepared to verify with ID if Facebook requests it
Consider alternate names instead of changing your primary name
Plan ahead because you only get one change every 60 days

Whether you're updating after marriage, correcting a spelling error, or switching to a name you prefer, Facebook's name change process is designed to verify authentic identities while giving users flexibility to represent themselves accurately. For more Facebook account management tips, see our guides on where to find scheduled posts on Facebook, how to lock Facebook account, how to add admin to Facebook Page, how to see who shared my post on Facebook, and how to comment anonymously on Facebook.

Managing your Facebook presence across name changes and profile updates? Genviral helps you maintain consistent social media content scheduling even as your personal brand evolves - ensuring your posts go live on time regardless of profile changes.