Changing your name on Facebook is a simple process that allows you to update your profile to reflect your legal name, married name, or a nickname you prefer to go by. While you can only change your name a limited number of times, it’s easy to do when needed.
Can I change my name on Facebook?
Yes, Facebook allows you to change the name on your profile. This can be done through the Facebook website or mobile app. However, there are some limitations:
- You can only change your name up to 5 times within a 60 day period.
- The name you choose must still follow Facebook’s Real Name Policy.
As long as you follow these rules, you can update your first, middle, and last name on your Facebook profile as needed.
How do I change my Facebook name on desktop?
Follow these steps to change your name on the Facebook website:
- Go to Facebook.com and log into your account.
- Click on the arrow icon in the top right corner and select “Settings”.
- On the left sidebar, click “Profile”.
- Under the “Name” section, click “Edit” next to your name.
- Enter your new first, middle, and/or last name.
- Click “Review Change”.
- Confirm the name change by re-entering your password and clicking “Save Changes”.
That’s it! Your Facebook name will now be updated.
How do I change my Facebook name on mobile?
You can also change your name in the Facebook mobile app for iOS or Android:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the three-line menu icon.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” then tap “Settings”.
- Tap “Personal and Account Information”.
- Tap “Name” and then “Edit” next to your name.
- Enter your new name and tap “Review Change”.
- Confirm the change by entering your password and tapping “Save Changes”.
Your name on Facebook will be updated right away.
How long does it take for my new Facebook name to update?
The name change takes effect immediately after you confirm the change. You’ll see your new name on your profile, in posts, and other places across Facebook. However, it may take a bit more time for the name update to propagate everywhere.
Here’s an estimate for common places you may notice your old name still showing up temporarily:
- News Feed: Up to 1 hour
- Search results: Up to 2 hours
- Messages/chat: Up to 4 hours
- Pages/groups you manage: Up to 24 hours
Within 24 hours your new name should be visible everywhere on Facebook. If you still see your old name after a day has passed, try logging out and back into Facebook to refresh the cache.
Does changing my Facebook name change my URL?
No, changing your name on Facebook does not affect your profile URL. For example, if your URL is facebook.com/john.doe, it will remain the same even if you update your name to John Smith.
The only way to change your Facebook URL is to create a new account. But most people prefer to keep their original profile URL since it’s already associated with their identity on Facebook.
Can I reuse my old Facebook name?
Once you change your name on Facebook, your old name becomes unavailable for reuse permanently. Even if you delete your account, that name cannot be registered again by anyone on Facebook.
So choose your new Facebook name wisely! You only get 5 name changes every 60 days, and each new name will be locked in forever.
What name should I use on Facebook?
Facebook requires you to use your authentic first and last name that matches your legal identification. Here are some tips on choosing the right name for your profile:
- Use your current legal name as listed on your government ID.
- If you go by a nickname, you can include it in parentheses or quotation marks after your first name, e.g. “Katie (Kate)” Jones.
- Married or divorced individuals can use their married name, maiden name, or combined names.
- Avoid using nicknames or pseudonyms that you cannot prove tie back to your legal identity.
- You can include suffixes like Jr., Sr., III, etc. if part of your legal name.
Facebook may ask you to verify your name if you make major changes or receive reports from others questioning your name. Having identification, like a driver’s license, handy can help smooth the process.
What if Facebook rejects my name change request?
If Facebook rejects your name change, here are some possible reasons why:
- You entered a name that does not represent your real identity, such as a pseudonym, fictional name, or extreme spelling changes.
- You already reached the limit of 5 name changes every 60 days.
- Another user reported your name as fake.
- Your new name violates Facebook’s terms around impersonation, trademarks, or other deceptive practices.
You will receive an on-screen message explaining why your name was rejected. In some cases, providing proof of identification to Facebook Support can overturn the rejection if it was made in error.
Can I change my name through Facebook Support?
If your name change request gets rejected repeatedly, you can reach out to Facebook Support for assistance. Here’s how:
- Go to the Facebook Help Center.
- Click “Help with My Account”.
- Click “Managing Account Security”.
- Under “My Account and Profile”, click “My Name”.
- Choose the article “Why can’t I change my name on Facebook?”.
- Scroll down and click “Need more help? Contact us”.
- Explain your name change issue and provide copies of legal identification.
Facebook Support can review your case and may request verification documents before approving a name not accepted through the normal change process.
Can I merge multiple Facebook accounts with different names?
If you have multiple Facebook accounts under different names that you want to merge into one account, you will need to contact Facebook Support. Here is the process:
- Determine which account’s name you want to keep. Log into that account.
- Go to the Facebook Help Center and find the article “Get help merging duplicate accounts”.
- Click “Contact Us” and select “Report a Problem”.
- Explain you want to merge multiple accounts due to name changes.
- List the other account usernames you want to merge.
- Upload a photo ID that matches the name on your primary account.
Facebook will unlink the other accounts and merge all your information and friends under the primary profile. Just be sure your primary account reflects your latest name.
What happens to my data if I change my Facebook name?
When you change your name on Facebook, all your existing data remains intact and transfers over to your new name, including:
- Friends list
- Photos and videos
- Posts and story archive
- Interests and favorites
- Groups and Pages you manage
The main visual change is that your new name will now show up across Facebook. Behind the scenes, your account details stay the same.
A few minor impacts include:
- Tags on existing posts will show your old name, but remain linked to your profile.
- Past messages in your inbox display your previous name.
- Any apps or websites connected to your Facebook account may need to be reauthorized.
But overall, a name change does not affect your account history, connections, or owned content. Your new name will simply replace your old name in most places going forward.
Does changing my Facebook name impact other linked accounts?
Changing your name on Facebook does not automatically change it on any other accounts or websites you’ve logged into with Facebook. Here are the potential impacts to linked services:
- Instagram – Your Instagram name will remain unchanged. You will need to edit it separately in your Instagram account settings.
- Oculus – Your Oculus name will stay the same. Change it in your Oculus profile.
- Messenger – Your messages and call history carry over with no changes needed.
- Dating apps – Your dating app profiles stay the same until changed. Unlink and relink the apps to refresh your name.
- Other apps/sites – You may need to reauthorize any third-party apps or websites connected through Facebook to update your name.
Essentially, services owned by Facebook unrelated to your main profile like Instagram and Oculus will not have automatic name changes. And third-party apps will need to be relinked to pull your latest Facebook name.
Do I need to update my name on Facebook after a legal name change?
If you change your legal name due to marriage, divorce, or another reason, Facebook recommends updating your profile to reflect your new legal name. Here are some steps to make it easier:
- Update your legal ID first, such as your driver’s license or passport.
- Change your name on Facebook to match your new legal name.
- Review all your important online accounts and update your name where needed.
- Notify contacts, employers, schools, and others about your name change.
Keeping your Facebook profile name consistent with your legal identification is recommended to avoid issues. Facebook may require proof of your legal name change if your update gets flagged or reported.
Can I change my child’s name on a Facebook kids account?
For Facebook accounts set up through Family Link for children under 13, parents can change their child’s name by following these steps:
- Log into the Facebook Family Link parent dashboard.
- Select your child’s account.
- Click “Personal Info”.
- Next to your child’s name, select “Edit”.
- Enter the new name and click “Save”.
The name change will sync to your child’s Facebook account. As the parent, you can also change the name on your child’s Instagram linked to their Facebook profile.
Conclusion
Changing your name on Facebook is easy to do directly from the Facebook website or mobile app settings. Just keep in mind the 5 name change limit per 60 days and that each name cannot be reused.
While your profile URL remains unchanged, your new name will gradually update across Facebook. And if needed you can contact Facebook Support for help merging accounts or overriding a rejected name.
Overall, being able to update your Facebook name allows you to accurately reflect your identity on one of the world’s largest social networks as life changes happen.