How to Change Your Facebook Account Name

Thinking about changing your name on Facebook? Whether it's for a personal reason or a professional rebrand, the process is straightforward once you know the rules. This guide will walk you through the exact steps for changing your personal profile name on any device. We’ll also cover Facebook’s specific name policies, how to handle a name change for your business Page, and what to do if you run into any trouble.

Before You Change Your Name: Understanding Facebook's Rules

You can't just pick any name that comes to mind. Facebook has a name policy in place to foster a sense of authenticity and accountability on the platform. Knowing these guidelines upfront can save you from having your name change request rejected. The goal is simple: your Facebook name should be the name you use in real life.

What You Can't Include in Your Name

Facebook is quite specific about what isn’t allowed. Think of it as keeping profiles professional and easily identifiable. Your name cannot include:

• Symbols, numbers, or unusual characters: Things like @, #, $, or numbers aren't allowed. Your name needs to be made of an alphabet's characters, not a password. So, "Alex#1Fan" won't work.
• Unnecessary punctuation or capitalization: Using random capitalization (like aLeX sMiTh) or excessive punctuation (A-l-e-x S-m-i-t-h!) will get flagged.
• Titles of any kind: This includes professional (Dr.), religious (Rev.), or honorary titles (Lord, Sir). Your name should just be your name, not your credentials. So, "Dr. Jane Doe" should just be "Jane Doe."
• Phrases or words in place of a name: Your name can't be something like "Loves To Bake" or "Best Dad Ever." It has to be an actual name.
• Offensive or suggestive words: This is a clear-cut rule. Any content that violates community standards is prohibited.

The "Real Name" Policy: What Does It Actually Mean?

This is where many people get confused. Facebook’s "real name" policy doesn't necessarily mean your legal name. It means the name your friends and family know you by in your day-to-day life. For many people, this is their legal name, but exceptions are understood and allowed.

For example, if your legal name is Robert but everyone has called you Rob your entire life, using "Rob Smith" is perfectly fine. Similarly, if you go by your middle name, you can use that. The key is authenticity - it should be a name people genuinely use to refer to you.

The 60-Day Rule

This is probably the most important rule to remember: You can only change your name once every 60 days. There is no way around this, so be sure you're happy with your new name before you click save. Double-check for typos and make sure it’s a name you want to stick with for at least two months. This policy exists to prevent spam and misuse of identity on the platform.

How to Change Your Facebook Profile Name: Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that you know the rules, the actual process is quite simple. The steps are slightly different depending on whether you're using a computer or the mobile app, but the destination is the same: the Accounts Center.

On a Desktop Computer (Web Browser)

If you're logged into Facebook on your laptop or desktop computer, here's how to update your name:

1. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner of the screen.
2. From the dropdown menu, select Settings & Privacy, and then click on Settings.
3. This will open the general account settings. On the left side, you'll see a panel for Meta's Accounts Center. Click on that.
4. In the Accounts Center, click on Profiles. This will show all the profiles (Facebook, Instagram) linked to your Meta account.
5. Select the Facebook profile whose name you want to change.
6. On the next screen, click on Name.
7. You'll now see fields for First name, Middle name, and Last name. Enter your updated information. Remember the naming rules!
8. After entering your new name, click the blue Review Change button.
9. Facebook will show you a preview of how your name will appear. You might get a couple of options (e.g., "Jane Smith" or "Smith Jane"). Select the one you prefer, confirm your password if prompted, and click Save Changes.

On a Mobile Device (iOS or Android App)

The process on your phone is just as easy and all happens within the Meta Accounts Center integrated into the app. The steps are almost identical for both iPhone and Android users.

1. Open the Facebook app and tap on the menu icon. This is usually three horizontal lines in the bottom-right (iOS) or top-right (Android).
2. Scroll down and tap on Settings & Privacy to expand the section, then tap on Settings.
3. At the very top, you’ll see the panel for the Accounts Center. Tap on "See more in Accounts Center."
4. Under Profile settings, tap on Profiles and then select your Facebook account from the list.
5. Tap on Name.
6. Update the fields for your first, middle, and/or last name.
7. Once you're done, tap the Review Change button.
8. Choose your preferred name display format from the options presented and then tap Save Changes. You might be asked to enter your password for security confirmation.

And that’s it! Your name will be updated across your profile.

What Happens After You Change Your Name?

Changing your name doesn't happen in a vacuum. It triggers a few updates across the platform to reflect your new identity.

Your new name will appear everywhere: on your main profile page, on your comments, in new posts you create, and in search results. Any place your name was previously shown will now display the new one. Friends will see your updated information in their feeds when they interact with your content.

If your new name is drastically different from your old one (e.g., changing from "Jennifer Jones" to "Sky Williams"), Facebook's system might flag it for a quick review or even ask for identity confirmation. This is a security measure to prevent people from impersonating others. Don't worry if this happens - as long as your name complies with the policy, it will be approved.

A common question is whether people can still find you. The answer is yes. People searching for your old name may still see your profile in their results for a period. Plus, anyone you were already friends with will see the update. Importantly, tags on old photos and posts will automatically update to reflect your new name.

Beyond Your Profile: Changing a Facebook Page or Group Name

If you're a content creator, entrepreneur, or community manager, you're not just managing your personal account. Changing the name of a business Page or a community Group involves a different set of rules and steps. This is a public-facing change that can affect your brand identity.

Changing Your Facebook Page Name

A Page name represents a business, brand, or organization. Changing it can confuse your followers if not done properly.

• Requirements: You must be an admin of the Page to request a name change.
• The Process: You’ll need to navigate to your Page, click Manage, and then find Page Access to go into your Page settings. The option is generally under general page info. Requesting a name change for a Page goes through a review process that can take up to three days. Facebook will check to make sure the new name doesn’t violate any policies and isn't drastically misleading compared to the Page's existing content.
• Communicating the Change: When a Page name is updated, a notification will be visible on the Page itself, letting your followers know about the change. This helps with transparency.

Changing Your Facebook Group Name

Changing a Group name is more straightforward but has a big impact on the community.

• Requirements: Only Group admins can change the name.
• The Process: Navigate to your Group and find the Group Settings, typically under "Admin tools." The option to edit the name and description will be right at the top.
• Community Notification: After you change a Group's name, all members of the group are notified of the change. This is built-in transparency and is not something you can disable. People joined a group with a certain identity, so it’s only fair they know when that identity changes.

Troubleshooting Common Name Change Issues

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are solutions to the two most common problems people face when trying to change their name.

"My Name Change Was Rejected. Now What?"

If your request is rejected, it's almost certainly because it violates one of the name policies we covered earlier. Take a second look:

• Did you use a symbol, number, or funky capitalization?
• Did you include a title like "Dr." or "CEO"?
• Was the name an obvious phrase instead of a real name?

Your best bet is to try again with a compliant name. If you genuinely believe your name meets Facebook's policies and was rejected in error, you can fill out an appeal form through the Facebook Help Center.

"I Can't Change My Name (The Option is Missing or Greyed Out)"

If you can't edit the name fields or don't see the option to change it, there are two likely culprits:

1. You've changed it in the last 60 days. This is the most common reason. If you've recently updated your name, you are locked out from changing it again for two months. You’ll just have to wait.
2. You are being asked to verify your identity. Sometimes, during a review, Facebook will temporarily restrict your ability to make changes until you confirm your identity. Check your notifications or support inbox for any messages from Facebook.

By following these steps and keeping Facebook’s rules in mind, you can update your name smoothly and ensure your profile accurately reflects who you are.

Final Thoughts

Updating your Facebook name is a simple task once you understand platform policies and follow the correct steps through the Account Center. Whether you’re on a desktop or a phone, adjusting your personal name, or even rebranding a Page, managing your identity online is thankfully a straightforward affair.

For creators and brands, keeping a consistent identity across all platforms is essential, extending well beyond just a name. It’s about maintaining a cohesive voice, style, and content calendar. We designed Postbase to make that part easier. By bringing all your scheduling, engagement, and analytics into one clean space, we believe it gives you back the time to focus on your brand, not on juggling multiple apps and tabs.