What you can and cannot change on your Facebook account

Facebook lets you change the name that appears on your profile — the display name people see when they visit your page or you comment on something. You cannot change the email address or phone number you use to log in unless you add a new one first and then remove the old one. The login credential itself (the email or phone) stays tied to your account for security reasons, but the public-facing name can be updated as often as you want, with a few limits.

The name change tool is built into your account settings and takes about two minutes. Facebook does monitor how often you change it — if you switch your name repeatedly in a short time, the system may temporarily lock you out of making further changes to prevent account hijacking.

Key Takeaways

  • Your display name (what people see) is different from your login email or phone number, and only the display name can be changed freely.
  • Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information to find the name change option.
  • Facebook allows name changes once every 60 days, and changing it too often in a row may trigger a temporary lock.
  • If you want to change your login email or phone, you must add a new one in settings first, then remove the old one.

Step-by-step: changing your display name

Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the screen (on desktop) or tap the three horizontal lines at the bottom right (on mobile). Select Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

On the left side of the screen, click Personal Information. You will see a section labeled Name with your current name displayed. Click the pencil icon or the word Edit next to it. A text box will appear with your name already filled in. Delete the current name and type the new one you want to use.

Click Review Change to see how it will appear. Facebook will show you a preview of your new name on your profile. If it looks correct, click Save Changes. The new name takes effect when ready, though it may take a few minutes to update everywhere you appear on the site.

What name format Facebook accepts

Facebook has rules about what characters and words it allows in a name. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, and periods. You cannot use symbols like @, &, or *, and you cannot use all capital letters or all numbers. Names with numbers in them are allowed, but a name that is only numbers will be rejected.

Facebook also blocks names that look like they are trying to impersonate someone else, advertise a business, or use offensive language. If you try to change your name to something the system flags, you will see an error message explaining why it was not accepted. You can try again with a different name.

If you want to use a name with special characters — like an accent mark or a character from another language — Facebook usually accepts these. Test it and see if the system approves it. If not, try removing the special character and using the plain letter instead.

The 60-day waiting period and how to work around it

After you change your name, you must wait 60 days before you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent account takeovers and spam. If you try to change your name before the 60 days are up, Facebook will show you a message telling you when you will be able to change it next.

There is no way to bypass this waiting period. If you made a mistake or changed your mind, you will have to wait the full 60 days. However, if you change your name multiple times in quick succession (even if you wait the 60 days between each change), Facebook may temporarily lock you out of the name change feature as a security measure. If this happens, wait a few days and try again.

Changing your login email or phone number instead

If you want to change the email address or phone number you use to log in — not just your display name — the process is different. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information. Look for the section labeled Email or Phone.

To add a new email, click Add Email and type the new address. Facebook will send a confirmation link to that email. Click the link to verify it. Once verified, the new email becomes an active login option. You can now log in with either the old email or the new one.

To remove the old email after adding the new one, go back to the Email section, find the old address, and click the X or Remove button next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm. Once removed, you can no longer log in with that email — only with the new one or your phone number if you have one set up.

What happens to your old name across Facebook

When you change your name, it updates everywhere on Facebook — your profile, your comments, your posts, and your messages. People who have you as a friend will see the new name in their friend list. Old posts and comments you made will show your new name, not the old one, so there is no record of what your previous name was unless someone took a screenshot.

If you were tagged in photos or posts under your old name, the tag will still work and will now show your new name. Your username (the custom URL for your profile, like facebook.com/yourname) does not change when you change your display name — those are separate things. If you want to change your username, that is a different setting in the same Personal Information section.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my name back to what it was before?

Yes, you can change your name back anytime after the 60-day waiting period is over. There is no limit on how many times you can switch between names, as long as you wait 60 days between changes. Facebook does not prevent you from using a previous name again.

What if Facebook rejected my name change?

Facebook rejects names that contain symbols, are all numbers, use offensive language, or look like they are impersonating someone. Try removing special characters, adding a space or period, or rewording it. If you believe your name was rejected by mistake, you can appeal through Facebook's help center.

Does changing my name affect my password or login?

No. Your password and login email or phone number stay the same. Only the name that appears on your profile changes. You will still log in with the same email, phone, or username you have always used.

Can I have two different names on Facebook?

No, you can only have one display name per account at a time. If you need a separate identity for a different purpose, you would need to create a second Facebook account with a different email address.

Why does Facebook make me wait 60 days between name changes?

The waiting period is a security measure to prevent someone who has taken over your account from repeatedly changing your name to confuse you or hide their activity. It also reduces spam and impersonation. The limit applies to everyone equally.