Changing someone’s name on Messenger is a simple process that can be done right from the Messenger app. Here are the steps to change a contact’s name on Messenger:
Open the Messenger App
First, open the Messenger app on your device. Messenger is available as a standalone app for iOS and Android devices or can be accessed through Facebook.
Go to Your Messages
Once Messenger is open, go to your recent messages by tapping on the chat bubble icon in the top left corner. This will show you a list of your recent conversations.
Tap on the Conversation
Scroll and tap on the conversation with the contact whose name you want to change. This will open the conversation thread with that person.
Tap on the Contact Name
At the top of the conversation, you will see the name of the contact. Tap on their name to open the contact options.
Tap “Edit Name”
This will open a menu where you can edit the contact details. Tap on “Edit Name” to change the name.
Type the New Name
A text field will appear where you can type in the new name you want to set for this contact. Delete the current name and type the new one.
Tap “OK” to Save
Once you have typed the new name, tap “OK” to save the changes. The contact’s name in your Messenger will now be updated.
Names Will Update Across Messaging Apps
Changing a contact’s name in Messenger also updates it in your device contacts and other messaging apps connected to your phone number. So you don’t have to change it separately in WhatsApp, SMS etc.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some tips in case you encounter any issues while changing names on Messenger:
- Make sure you have the latest version of Messenger installed
- Force close and restart the Messenger app if the name change is not reflecting
- Check your internet connection and try again
- For iPhone users, check that Contacts is enabled under Messenger’s permissions
- On Android, clear Messenger’s cache and data before trying again
Why Would You Want to Change Someone’s Name?
Here are some common reasons you may want to change a contact’s name on Messenger or Facebook:
- They changed their first or last name due to marriage
- You saved them by a nickname and want to change to their full name
- You entered their name wrong initially and want to correct it
- They are a business contact and you want to update to their full job title
- You want to add extra identifiers like location or company name
Does the Contact Get Notified of the Change?
No, Messenger does not send any notification when you change a contact’s name in your app. The change will reflect for you, but the contact themselves will not receive any alert.
Can You Change Names on Messenger Desktop?
Messenger also has a desktop version that can be accessed through the Facebook website. You can change contact names from the desktop version as well using the same steps:
- Open Messenger on Facebook.com
- Open the conversation thread with the contact
- Hover over the contact name and click on the “Edit Name” option
- Type the new name and hit Enter to save changes
Are Group Names Editable?
Yes, the same process applies for changing group names on Messenger. Just tap on the group name and use the “Edit Name” option.
Group admins can change the group name. Other members will not have the editing option.
Can I Change Names on Messenger Without Opening the Chat?
Unfortunately no, there is no direct way to change a contact’s name without opening the conversation in Messenger. Some workarounds include:
- Asking the contact to message you first so their chat appears on top
- Searching for their name in Messenger search bar
- Changing the name in your phone contacts then syncing with Facebook
Is There a Way to Bulk Edit Names?
Messenger does not currently provide a native way to bulk edit or change multiple names at once. You have to edit one name at a time. Some tips for bulk editing include:
- Exporting chat history to a spreadsheet and doing a Find/Replace
- Using a third party app like NameChanger for Facebook
- Editing the names in your phone contacts first
Can I Change Names of Facebook Friends?
The name change process is the same for your Facebook friends that you message with. However, their profile name on Facebook itself will not change. Only the name visible to you in Messenger will update.
To change someone’s actual profile name on Facebook, they need to edit it themselves in their Facebook account settings.
Does Changing Messenger Name Affect Facebook Profile?
No, changing a contact’s name in your Messenger does not change their actual profile name as seen by other people on Facebook. Only you will see the new name in your conversations.
Your Messenger contacts get pulled from your Facebook friends list but both names can be edited independently.
Can I Change My Own Name in Messenger?
You cannot directly change your own name in Messenger, since that pulls your profile name from Facebook. To change your display name in Messenger:
- Go to your Facebook profile
- Click on your name in the top left
- Go to the About section
- Click on the current name and edit it
This will change your name across Facebook, Messenger and other connected apps.
Conclusion
In summary, changing a contact’s name on Messenger is easy and only takes a few taps once you open the chat. The change also syncs to your phone contacts and other messaging apps in most cases. While you can’t bulk edit names, the process can be streamlined by pre-editing your main contacts list or exporting conversations to Excel.