Facebook only allows you to change your name a limited number of times within a certain time period as a security measure against abuse. However, there are some workarounds that may allow you to bypass these restrictions if you need to change your name more frequently. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview of Facebook’s name change limits and why they exist before outlining some potential methods for getting around them.
Why Does Facebook Limit Name Changes?
Facebook restricts the number of times you can change your name to help prevent abuse and misrepresentation on the platform. Some specific reasons why Facebook limits name changes include:
- Preventing scams – By limiting name changes, Facebook makes it harder for scammers to repeatedly change their name to avoid detection.
- Reducing harassment – Limiting name changes reduces the ability for bullies or harassers to change their name over and over to avoid consequences.
- Increasing accountability – Keeping names more consistent over time holds users more accountable for their actions and makes it easier to link activity to a specific person.
- Combating impersonation – Restricting name changes helps prevent people from impersonating or pretending to be someone else.
Facebook generally allows you to change your name only twice within a 60 day period. This policy is intended to strike a balance between flexibility for users who need to change their name and preventing abuse of the feature.
Ways to Bypass Facebook Name Change Limits
Use a Middle Name or Initial
One simple way to get around Facebook’s name change limit is to add or remove your middle name or middle initial. Facebook considers small changes like this to be distinct from a full name change. So you may be able to alternate between using your middle name or initials to effectively change your display name more frequently.
For example, you could change your name among these options:
- John A Smith
- John Albert Smith
- J A Smith
- J Albert Smith
Just adding or dropping your middle name or initial gives you a few different name options that Facebook considers unique identities.
Use Name Variations
Similarly, you may be able to exceed the name change limit by using common variations of your first and last names. For instance, you could alternate between:
- Jonathan Smith
- Jon Smith
- Johnathan Smith
- John Smith
Even small spelling differences like Jonathan vs. Johnathan are treated as distinct names by Facebook. Leveraging this loophole gives you more name change options.
Change Name Back to Original
An interesting quirk of Facebook’s name change policy is that reverting to a past name does not count as a new change. So if your original name on Facebook was “Jake Miller”, you could change your name to “Jacob Miller”, then back to “Jake Miller” and it would only count as one change.
Technically, you could use this approach to alternate between two names over and over without being blocked. The downside is that you’d have to periodically switch back to your original profile name.
Create a New Account
If you want more complete freedom to change names repeatedly, creating an additional Facebook account under a new name avoids name change restrictions entirely. However, maintaining multiple accounts goes against Facebook’s policies and risks getting your accounts disabled if caught.
But for some people who really want to regularly alternate between different identifiable profiles, having a second (or more) accounts may be an option, despite the risks.
Advanced Ways to Bypass the Limit
The following methods involve more advanced techniques and risks, but can enable you to change names more frequently for periods of time.
Edit Your Profile URL
Your custom Facebook profile URL containing your name is separate from the name change limit. You can change this as often as you want without triggering the detection systems.
For example, you could change your profile URL from:
facebook.com/johnmiller
To:
facebook.com/jonathanmiller
The downside to this approach is that old URLs redirect to your new URL, so you leave a trail. But for short term name changes, editing your profile URL directly can work.
Change Your Birth Date
Facebook uses your birth date as part of the criteria for detecting identity changes when changing your name. Temporarily changing your birth date on your profile when altering your name can trick Facebook’s algorithms and avoid a name change counting against your limit.
Of course, lying about your birth date can cause issues if you ever need to recover your account and don’t know the fake date used. But as a temporary workaround, it can provide more name change leeway.
Use a VPN or Proxy Service
Facebook uses your device and account details to identify you and rate limit name changes. Using a VPN or proxy service masks your network identity and makes your device appear different to Facebook on each name change.
Combined with other techniques like altered birthdays or profile URLs, this approach can successfully trick Facebook into thinking each name change is a new person. However, proxy connections can impact performance and be banned if detected.
The Risks of Bypassing Facebook Name Change Limits
While the techniques described above may work to exceed Facebook’s name change limit policies, doing so does carry some risks:
- Account disablement – Facebook may disable accounts that are caught intentionally evading name change restrictions.
- Feature limitations – Accounts flagged for policy avoidance could face other restrictions like profile editing limitations.
- Identity confusion – Frequently changing names can create confusion among friends and connections.
- Loss of profile URL – Changing your profile URL results in loss of existing vanity URL.
- Security issues – Masking your identity through proxies or fake details reduces security and recovery options.
These risks should be carefully considered before attempting to bypass Facebook’s name change limits. While valid reasons exist, malicious use could result in consequences.
Conclusion
Facebook limits name changes to balance usability with security. But several methods like middle names, name variations, profile edits, and VPNs can bypass the standard restrictions. Each approach carries tradeoffs, and some risk account limitations if abused. Use good judgment when deciding whether and how to exceed Facebook’s name change policy.