How to Change Your Name on Facebook : A Simple Guide

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Changing your name on Facebook is something many users do — whether you want to correct a typo, reflect a name change, or add a nickname. Fortunately, Facebook makes this relatively easy, but there are some rules and limits. In this guide, you’ll learn how to change your name via desktop or mobile, what name rules Facebook has, and some common issues to watch out for.

 How to Change Your Name on Facebook

Why You Might Want to Change Your Facebook Name

  • You recently got married or divorced and want your profile to reflect your new name.

  • You use a name in real life that’s different from what’s on Facebook (e.g., a nickname).

  • You made a mistake when you first signed up (typo, misspelling).

  • You want your profile name to match your legal documents.

  • You just want to freshen up your profile.

All of these are valid reasons — and Facebook supports them, as long as your new name follows its naming rules. (Facebook)

Facebook’s Name Change Policy (What Is and Isn’t Allowed)

Before changing your name, you must understand Facebook’s name policy, because not all names are allowed. According to Facebook:

  1. Only real-life names: Facebook expects users to go by a name they use in everyday life. (Facebook)

  2. No weird characters: You can’t use symbols, numbers, or excessive punctuation. (Facebook)

  3. No mixing languages: Do not use characters from more than one language in a name. (Facebook)

  4. No titles: Titles (religious, professional, etc.) are not allowed in your name. (Tom's Guide)

  5. No offensive or suggestive words: Keep it clean and respectful. (Facebook)

  6. Nickname rules: You can add a nickname, maiden name, or alternate name, but it should be a variation of your real name (e.g., “Abby” for “Abigail”). (Facebook)

Also important: you can only change your name once every 60 days. Facebook enforces this to prevent frequent switching. (Facebook)

If Facebook ever asks you to confirm your name, they may request a document. It doesn’t always have to be an official government ID — sometimes a utility bill or a subscription mail works. (Facebook)

How to Change Your Name on Facebook — Step by Step

Here are two ways: via desktop browser and via the mobile app (Android or iOS).

Method 1: On Desktop (Web Browser)

  1. Log in to your Facebook account using a browser.

  2. Click on your profile picture (or the down arrow) in the top-right corner. (Tom's Guide)

  3. From the menu, choose “Settings & Privacy”, then select “Settings”. (Guiding Tech)

  4. In the left menu, click “Accounts Center” (sometimes under “See More”). (Tom's Guide)

  5. Under Profiles, click on your Facebook profile. (Facebook)

  6. Click on “Name”. This will open fields for first, middle, and last name. (Tom's Guide)

  7. Enter your new name, then click “Review Change”. (Tom's Guide)

  8. Facebook will show you a preview (how your name will appear). Choose how you want the order (first‑last, last‑first, etc.). (Tom's Guide)

  9. Enter your Facebook password, then click “Save Changes”. (Guiding Tech)

  10. Wait for the change to reflect. It may take some time in some cases, but usually it updates quickly. (Guiding Tech)

Method 2: On Mobile App (Android / iPhone)

  1. Open the Facebook app on your phone.

  2. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines): bottom-right on iPhone, top-right on Android. (Guiding Tech)

  3. Scroll down, tap “Settings & Privacy”, then “Settings”. (Guiding Tech)

  4. Tap “See more in Accounts Center”. (Yahoo Tech)

  5. Under Profiles, choose your Facebook profile name. (Facebook)

  6. Tap “Name”. (Tom's Guide)

  7. Enter your new first, middle, last name. Then tap “Review Change.” (Guiding Tech)

  8. You’ll see how it looks. Confirm and hit “Save Changes”. (Tom's Guide)

  9. As a final step, Facebook may ask you to enter your password before applying the change. (Guiding Tech)

How to Add a Nickname or Alternate Name

If you just want to add a nickname or your maiden name — not replace your main name — Facebook lets you do that too:

  1. In mobile app or web, go to Accounts Center → Profiles → Name. (Facebook)

  2. Look for “Manage other names”. (Facebook)

  3. Choose the type of name you want to add: nickname, maiden name, married name, alternate spelling, etc. (Facebook)

  4. Enter the name, then save it. (Facebook)

This alternate name will also appear on your profile (depending on your settings).

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

Even though the steps are simple, users sometimes face issues. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:

  1. Name change not showing

    • Wait a few minutes or hours. Sometimes it takes time for Facebook to process. (Guiding Tech)

    • Make sure you're using Accounts Center (not just Profile “Edit Profile”) — the name change option is now part of the Accounts Center. Some older tutorials or guides may refer to outdated menus. Many users report seeing no “name” button when they don’t navigate via Accounts Center. > “From your homepage … Go down to settings … Click accounts center … Then select the profile … Then ‘Name’.” (Reddit)

  2. Error or name gets rejected

    • Your new name may violate Facebook’s name policy (e.g., symbols, numbers, or mixing languages). (Facebook)

    • If change fails, Facebook may ask for identity verification. Provide a document (ID card, utility bill, anything valid) for confirmation. (Facebook)

    • Sometimes your change request may not be accepted if it's too similar to a previous name or looks like spam — in this case, contact Facebook support via the help center.

  3. Wait period problem

    • Remember, 60-day rule: once you change your name, you must wait 60 days to change it again. (Facebook)

    • If you try to change before 60 days, Facebook may not let you.

  4. Language‑specific name issues

    • Users sometimes complain that a name in one language (say, Cyrillic) doesn’t show up correctly once changed. (Reddit)

    • In such cases, try removing or editing the “language-specific name” in Settings → Manage Language Names. If that’s not working, contact Facebook support, because it may be a bug.

Tips to Make the Change Smoothly

  • Pick a name that matches what you use in real life, so Facebook is more likely to approve it. (Facebook)

  • Avoid nicknames that are very different from your real name; stick to common variants.

  • Before changing, double-check spelling, capitalization, and order (First / Last).

  • If you're asked for ID, use official documents or even utility bills — a government ID is not always mandatory. (Facebook)

  • Make sure to remember your Facebook password — you will need to enter it to confirm the name change.

  • After the change, log out, then log back in to check how your name appears to others.

  • If you run into trouble, use Facebook’s Help Center and their “Report a Problem” tool — sometimes they can guide you or fix glitches.

Final Thoughts

Changing your name on Facebook is a straightforward process when you follow the right steps. Use the Accounts Center (on web or mobile), make sure your name meets Facebook’s naming policy, and be aware of the 60-day restriction. With a little care, you can update your name quickly without hassle.

Just remember: always use a name that feels right to you — but also one that won’t get rejected by Facebook’s rules. That way, your profile stays authentic, safe, and exactly how you want it to be.

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