How to Change Your Screen Name on Facebook

Ready to give your Facebook profile a new name? Whether you’ve recently gotten married, are aligning your profile with your professional brand, or simply want to use the name everyone actually calls you, changing your display name is a quick fix. This guide will walk you through the entire process, covering the step-by-step instructions for both desktop and the mobile app, alongside Facebook’s rules you need to follow.

Before You Change Your Name: What You Need to Know

While the process of changing your name is simple, Facebook has a few specific rules in place to prevent spam, scams, and impersonation. Getting these wrong can lead to your request being denied or, in rare cases, your account being flagged. Before you start editing, it's helpful to understand the guidelines.

Understanding Facebook's Naming Rules (and How to Avoid Trouble)

Facebook's authentic name policy is designed to make sure everyone knows who they're connecting with. Your name on your profile should be the name your friends call you in everyday life. Here's a quick breakdown of the DOs and DON'Ts:

• Keep it real: Your name should be your authentic name or a common variation of it (like Bob instead of Robert, or Abby instead of Abigail).
• No weird characters: Your name can't include symbols, numbers, unusual capitalization (like Jane DOE), repeating characters, or punctuation marks. It needs to read like a name, not a password from 2004.
• No titles needed: You can't use professional, religious, or formal titles of any kind. Skip the "Dr.," "Rev.," "Ms.," or any other title.
• Words in place of a name: Your name can't be made up of phrases or random words. For example, "Loves To Bake" isn't a valid name.
• Steer clear of offensive language: It might seem obvious, but any name with offensive or suggestive words is a hard no and will be rejected.

Breaking these rules will get your name change request denied. Stick to your real name or a popular version of it, and you'll have no issues.

A Note on Nicknames

If you go by a nickname that isn't just a simple variation of your first name (like if your name is Jennifer but everyone calls you "Jay"), you can't use it as your main profile name. However, Facebook has a great feature for this. You can add a nickname that shows up in parentheses next to your real name on your profile. We'll cover exactly how to do that later in the troubleshooting section!

The 60-Day Rule

This is the most important rule to remember: once you change your name, you cannot change it again for 60 days. There are very few exceptions to this, so it’s super important to get it right the first time. Before you hit that "Save Changes" button, double-check and triple-check your spelling. A simple typo could leave you stuck with the wrong name for two full months.

How to Change Your Facebook Name on a Computer (Desktop Guide)

If you're at your laptop or desktop computer, changing your name only takes a minute. Facebook recently moved all personal settings into a central "Accounts Center," which now manages your details across Facebook, Instagram, and Meta accounts. Here's how to navigate it.

1. Log in and Open Settings: Go to Facebook.com. In the top-right corner of the screen, click on your small profile picture.
2. Navigate to Settings &, Privacy: From the dropdown menu, select Settings &, Privacy, and then click on Settings.
3. Go to Accounts Center: On the left-hand menu, you'll see a blue "Accounts Center" box. Click on Personal details inside this Center.
4. Select Your Profile: A new screen for Accounts Center will open. Click on your Profiles at the very top, which will likely show your name and profile picture.
5. Choose the Name Field: On the next screen, you'll see your associated Facebook or Instagram accounts. Select the Facebook profile you want to update. This will bring you to a menu where you can edit your Name.
6. Make Your Edits: Now you're at the name-change screen! Here you can edit your First Name, Middle Name (optional), and Last Name fields. Enter your updated name here.
7. Review and Confirm: Once you've typed in your new name, click the blue Review Change button. Facebook will show you a preview of how your new name will appear. You may have the option to pick which order your name shows in (e.g., Jane Marie Smith vs. Smith Jane Marie).
8. Enter Password and Save: Select your preferred display option. For security, you'll need to re-enter your Facebook password to confirm the change. Once you have, click Save Changes. That's it! Your name is officially updated across your profile.

How to Change Your Facebook Name on a Phone (Mobile App Guide)

The process is nearly identical on the Facebook mobile app, whether you're using an iPhone or an Android device. The design might look a little different, but the core steps remain the same through the Accounts Center.

1. Open the Menu: Launch the Facebook app. Tap the Menu button (your profile picture and three horizontal lines) located in the bottom-right corner of the screen (on iOS) or the top-right (on Android).
2. Find Your Settings: Scroll down and tap on Settings &, Privacy, which will expand to show more options. From that list, tap on Settings.
3. Open Accounts Center: At the very top of the Settings screen, you'll see the Accounts Center panel. Tap it to continue.
4. Select Your Profile: Tap on the Profiles section at the top of the Accounts Center page, then select the Facebook profile you wish to update.
5. Tap on "Name": On the next screen, you’ll see the options to edit your Name, Username, etc. Tap Name.
6. Edit and Review: Just like on desktop, you now have fields for your First, Middle, and Last name. Type your new name, then tap Review Change.
7. Confirm and Save: Choose how you'd like your name to be displayed, enter your password to confirm that it’s really you, and tap Save Changes. Your new name will immediately be reflected on your profile.

What About Your Business Page Name?

If you're trying to change the name of a Facebook Business Page, the process is a bit different. The 60-day rule doesn't apply, but all name change requests are reviewed by Facebook, which can take a few days. Only Page Admins can request a name change.

Your Page name should accurately represent what the Page is about. Drastic changes irrelevant to the Page's original topic may be denied. For example, changing a Page from "Brooklyn's Best Cupcakes" to "Crypto Investment Advice" will likely be rejected.

Here’s how to request a Page name change:

1. From your main profile, switch to the Business Page you want to manage.
2. On your Page, click your profile picture in the top-right and go to Settings &, Privacy >, Settings.
3. Under General Page Settings, you'll see your Page name. Click the Edit button next to it.
4. Enter your new desired Page name and click Review Change.
5. Facebook will ask you to confirm your request. Once confirmed, it will go into review. You'll get a notification once it's been approved or denied.

Ran Into a Problem? Common Questions Answered

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are solutions to a few common issues that can pop up when you're trying to update your name.

Why Can't I Change My Facebook Name?

If the option to change your name is grayed out or you're getting an error message, it's almost always for one of these four reasons:

• You changed your name within the last 60 days.
• You have tried to change it too many times recently, which can trigger Facebook's spam filters.
• The name you're trying to use violates Facebook's naming policy (see the rules above).
• Facebook has previously requested identity confirmation from you and you haven't completed the process yet.

What if Facebook Rejects My Name Change?

If your name change is denied but you believe it follows all of Facebook's rules, you can contest the decision. This usually happens if you have an unconventional name that an automated system might flag. You'll need to fill out Facebook's official name change appeal form. You can find this in the Help Center by searching for "changing your name." The form will ask you to explain the issue and, in most cases, require you to upload a copy of a government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) to verify your name is authentic.

How Can I Add a Nickname to My Profile?

Want to add a nickname without changing your legal name? Easy. A nickname is the perfect way to help friends or colleagues find you, and it shows up subtly right next to your real name.

To add one:

1. Follow the same steps as a normal name change to get to the Accounts Center >, Personal details >, Your Profile. Instead of tapping "Name," tap "Manage other names".
2. You can choose the name type (Nickname, Maiden Name, etc.), enter the name, and check the box that says "Show at top of profile."
3. When you click Save, your nickname will appear in parentheses next to your official name on your profile page, like this: Jane (Jay) Smith.

Updating your Facebook name is a quick and straightforward process once you understand the basic rules - especially that 60-day cool down. Whether you’re on a desktop or using the mobile app, the Accounts Center makes it easy to keep your personal details current across your Meta accounts.

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