In 2026, changing your Facebook name is done through the Accounts Center. This article covers the steps on mobile and desktop, the 60-day limit, naming rules, the difference between your name and username, and how to troubleshoot when you can't change your name.
In 2026, the name on your Facebook profile is mainly managed in the Accounts Center. Meta is gradually moving users to Meta accounts, so you may see either “Accounts Center” or “Meta account settings”, but the core path is the same: first pick the right profile, then change your name.
Before you change your name, make sure you understand these three things — many people get it wrong because they mix them up:
- Name: the everyday name shown publicly on your profile, and the main topic of this article;
- Username: the URL identifier in
facebook.com/username, also used in Messenger, with different rules; - Page name: the name of a brand or organization page, which follows a separate process.
If you only want to change your display name, look for the “Name” option. Below we also cover how to change your nickname and username.
How to change your Facebook name on mobile
Menu positions may differ slightly between Android and iPhone, but the logic is the same:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the menu or your profile picture;
- Go to Settings & privacy → Settings;
- Tap Accounts Center, or “See more in Accounts Center”;
- Open Profiles;
- Select the Facebook profile you want to edit;
- Tap Name;
- Enter a new name and preview how it will appear;
- Confirm and tap Save changes.
If your Accounts Center is linked to Facebook, Instagram or multiple profiles, always double-check which profile is currently selected. If you save without reading the sync notice, other synced profiles may change too.
How to change your Facebook name on the web
The official path in a desktop browser:
- Log in to Facebook and click your profile picture in the top right;
- Select Settings & privacy → Settings;
- Click Accounts Center;
- Open Profiles and select the Facebook account you want;
- Click Name;
- Enter your new name and choose how it is displayed;
- Click Review change, or save as prompted on the page.
Different accounts may still show older wording, but all changes should only be made on facebook.com, the official app or in the Accounts Center. Never submit your password or documents to an unverified third-party site.
What are the rules for Facebook names
Facebook requires your profile to use the name people call you in everyday life — the name you're best known by. Usually not allowed:
- unusual capitalization, repeated characters or unnecessary punctuation;
- numbers, symbols and random words;
- titles, religious terms or identity labels as part of your name;
- offensive, suggestive or insulting words;
- company names, slogans or full sentences pretending to be a personal name;
- names with no connection to you that could be used to impersonate you.
Your everyday name doesn't necessarily have to match your government ID word for word. If the system asks for confirmation, Facebook may accept a government ID, or a combination of non-government materials such as emails, membership cards, bills or statements — check the list on the upload page for what's accepted.
Why can't I change my Facebook name
1. You've already changed it within the last 60 days
Facebook usually only allows you to change your name once every 60 days. While the countdown is running, resubmitting won't shorten the wait, and you shouldn't create duplicate personal accounts to bypass the limit.
2. The new name doesn't follow the naming rules
Remove special symbols, job titles, brand words and unrelated phrases, and use your real everyday name instead. If it's a maiden name, stage name or nickname, use the “other names” feature instead of forcing a replacement of your main name.
3. The system asks you to verify your identity
Upload clear, unaltered, in-date documents through the official form. IDs and bills may contain sensitive information — only submit them through Facebook's official upload page, never to so-called “name change services”.
4. Your account is under security review or verification
Meta Verified accounts, payment details, Marketplace or ad accounts may require your name to match. Changing your profile picture, name, username or region frequently in a short period can also trigger extra review. First check your support inbox and account status.
5. The app interface hasn't been updated
Update the Facebook app and restart it, or switch to the desktop web version to open the Accounts Center. If it still fails, use the “Contact us” or report-a-problem option on the Help Center page.
How to add a nickname, maiden name or other names
If friends know you better by a nickname, former name, maiden name or stage name, add it as an “other name” instead of replacing your main name. Go to About → Details/Other names on your profile, choose the name type, enter it, then decide whether to show it at the top of your profile.
Other names must also be real and follow community rules. They can help people find you, so before adding one, think about whether you want to keep your privacy and professional identity separate.
How to change your Facebook username
Your username determines your profile URL and is not the same thing as your display name. On desktop, go to:
Settings & privacy → Settings → Accounts Center → Profiles → Select profile → Username.
Right now usernames can usually only contain letters, numbers and periods. After you change it, both your Facebook profile URL and your Messenger m.me/username will change. If you've turned on Facebook-Instagram profile sync, your Instagram username and URL may also update according to the sync settings.
Update any old links on your website, business cards, QR codes and ad creatives before changing it. Once an old username is released, there's no guarantee you can claim it again.
Will changing my name sync to Instagram
This depends on the “profile sync” setting. Accounts Center lets you sync your name, profile picture and more between Facebook and Instagram. When it's on, a name change on one side may carry over to the other; when it's off, each stays independent.
The exact behavior depends on your account's current version and sync settings. Before changing your name, check in Accounts Center whether cross-platform sync is enabled, so you don't end up changing only one side, having the other side not follow, or both changing when you didn't expect it.
Safety checklist before changing your name
- Confirm whether you're changing your personal name, username or page name;
- Screenshot or note your current username and important profile links;
- Check the cross-platform sync toggle in Accounts Center;
- Make sure your email, phone number and two-factor authentication still work;
- Check whether Meta Pay, an ad account or a verification subscription is connected;
- Only submit identity documents on official pages;
- After the change, notify clients or colleagues who need to recognize your identity.
If your team manages multiple authorized client workspaces at once, PurpleMark lets you create separate browser environments for different clients, configure Cookies, proxies and team permissions per business, and keep login states isolated — reducing mis-logins and data mixing. It organizes “account environments and operational responsibility” clearly, making it easy for teams to manage multiple Facebook workspaces long-term.
FAQ
Will my friends be notified when I change my Facebook name?
Facebook may show the name update in your feed or on your profile, and friends will also see the new name in chats, comments and on your profile. Whether an actual notification is sent depends on your account and privacy settings.
Can I change it back right away?
Usually not. After each change you may need to wait 60 days, and your old username may not be recoverable, so always preview before saving.
Can I use a non-Latin name on Facebook?
Yes, you can use your real everyday name. If you need your name shown in different languages, check whether the “language-specific name” or “other names” features are available for your account.
How do I change a Page name?
First switch to the Page you want to change, then go into its settings and submit a name change. You must have the right access to the Page, and the new name should accurately reflect what the Page is about. The personal-name path in this article doesn't apply to Pages.
