How to Change Your Name on Facebook in the App (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)?

August 17, 2026
How to change your name on Facebook in the app - step by step guide screenshot showing the Name field in Accounts Center settings

By App World Team | Updated August 2026 | Facebook Tutorials

Whether you got married, legally changed your name, want to fix a typo, or simply prefer to go by a different name, Facebook makes it possible to update your display name directly from your phone. But the process isn't always obvious, and Facebook enforces strict rules — including a 60-day waiting period and a real-name policy — that trip up a lot of users. This guide walks you through exactly how to change your name on Facebook in the app, step by step, for both iPhone and Android, and explains what to do if your request gets rejected.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

To change your name on Facebook in the app: open the Facebook app, tap the Menu icon (bottom-right on iPhone, top-right on Android), tap Settings & privacy, then Settings, then Accounts Center. Under Profiles, tap your Facebook profile, tap Name, enter your new first, middle, and last name, then tap Review change, confirm your password, and tap Save changes. You can only do this once every 60 days, and your new name must follow Facebook's authentic-name standards.

Before You Start: What You Need to Know

Before you dive into your settings, it helps to understand a few things about how Facebook handles name changes in 2026:

  • Name changes are limited to once every 60 days. Once you save a new name, the field locks for two months.
  • Facebook requires "authentic" names. The name you use should be the name your friends and family call you in real life — not a brand, nickname stacked with symbols, or a business name.
  • Major changes can trigger a review. If your new name is very different from your old one, Facebook may temporarily hide it while it reviews the change, and it might ask for a form of ID.
  • Meta Accounts Center manages the process. Since the 2023–2024 settings redesign, name changes happen inside the Accounts Center (sometimes labeled Meta Account as Meta gradually rolls this out to more users), not in a standalone "edit profile" screen.
  • Update your app first. If your Facebook app is more than a year or so old, your menu layout may look different from the screenshots in this guide. Update from the App Store or Google Play before you begin.

How to Change Your Name on Facebook (iPhone App)

Here's the full walkthrough for iOS. The steps are nearly identical to Android, with only the position of the Menu button differing.

  1. Open the Facebook app and make sure you're logged into the account you want to rename.
  2. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
  3. Scroll down and tap "Settings & privacy," then tap "Settings."
  4. Tap "Accounts Center" near the top of the Settings page (it may appear as "See more in Accounts Center" or simply "Meta Account" depending on your rollout).
  5. Under "Profiles," tap your Facebook profile.
  6. Tap "Name," which sits at the top of the Personal details list.
  7. Enter your new first name, middle name (optional), and last name.
  8. Tap "Review change" to preview exactly how your new name will appear on your profile, and choose the name order if prompted.
  9. Enter your Facebook password to confirm you're authorized to make the change.
  10. Tap "Save changes." Your new name typically appears across your profile, comments, and Messenger almost immediately, though it can occasionally take a few minutes to sync everywhere.

How to Change Your Name on Facebook (Android App)

On Android, the same settings exist — the only real difference is where the Menu icon sits.

  1. Open the Facebook app and confirm you're on the correct account.
  2. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of the screen.
  3. Tap the Settings icon (gear), then tap "Settings & privacy," then "Settings."
  4. Tap "Accounts Center."
  5. Under "Profiles," select your Facebook account.
  6. Tap "Name" and enter your updated first, middle, and last name.
  7. Tap "Review change," confirm the preview, then enter your password.
  8. Tap "Save changes" to finish.

If you don't see "Accounts Center" listed, look for "Personal details" or "Personal information" directly under Settings — Meta is still transitioning some accounts between the old and new menu layout, so the exact wording can vary by region and app version.

How to Add a Nickname or Alternate Name Instead

If you don't want to formally change your legal display name — maybe you just want people to recognize a nickname, maiden name, stage name, or a name in another script — you don't need to touch the main Name field at all. Facebook lets you add an alternate name that appears in parentheses next to your primary name, and it isn't subject to the 60-day cooldown:

  1. Go to your profile and tap "About," then "Details about you" (or find "Other names" in your Accounts Center profile details).
  2. Look for "Add a nickname, birth name, or other name."
  3. Choose a name type from the dropdown — options typically include Nickname, Maiden name, Married name, and Name in another language.
  4. Enter the alternate name.
  5. Check the box for "Show at top of profile" if you want it visible next to your primary name.
  6. Save your changes.

This is the better route if you just want an easy way for friends to find you without triggering a full identity review.

Facebook's Name Policy: What's Allowed and What Isn't

Facebook has maintained a real-name policy since its early years, and it still enforces it heavily through automated detection. Understanding the rules upfront saves you from having your change rejected. According to Facebook's own name standards, your name should be the name that your friends call you in everyday life, and it should appear on an ID or documentation if Facebook asks you to confirm it.

Generally allowed:

  • Your legal first, middle, and last name
  • A commonly used variation of your legal name (e.g., "Mike" instead of "Michael")
  • Names that include standard accented characters

Generally not allowed as your primary name:

  • Numbers, symbols, or excessive punctuation (e.g., "J★sh_99")
  • Professional titles, degrees, or credentials (Dr., PhD, CEO)
  • Words, phrases, or brand names instead of a personal name
  • Random capitalization or repeated letters used for stylistic effect
  • A name that's clearly meant to impersonate someone else

If your requested name violates these standards, Facebook can silently reject the change, revert your profile back to the old name, or lock your account until you verify your identity.

The 60-Day Name Change Rule Explained

One of the most common frustrations people run into is discovering they can't change their name again right after doing it. Facebook limits name changes to once every 60 days per account. This restriction exists specifically to prevent impersonation and to stop accounts from repeatedly cycling through fake names.

A few practical implications of this rule:

  • The 60-day timer starts from the moment you successfully save a new name — not from when you first attempted the change.
  • If your change was rejected for violating the name policy, that typically does not count against your 60-day window, since no change was actually saved.
  • Adding or editing an alternate name (nickname, maiden name) does not use up your 60-day allowance, because it's a separate field from your primary name.
  • There is no in-app way to bypass the cooldown. If you need an urgent change (for example, after a legal name change tied to marriage or divorce), your best option is to submit a support request through Facebook's Help Centre explaining the circumstances.

Because you're locked out for two full months after saving, it's worth triple-checking the spelling, capitalization, and name order in the "Review change" preview screen before you confirm.

Why Facebook May Ask for ID Verification

If you make a significant change — swapping your entire name rather than fixing a small typo — Facebook's automated systems may flag it for manual review. When that happens, you might see a message asking you to confirm your identity before the new name goes live. Facebook can request:

  • A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, national ID card)
  • A marriage certificate or divorce decree, for names changed due to a legal name change
  • A court order, for legal name changes unrelated to marriage

During this review period, your old name usually remains visible to others, and the new name won't display publicly until Meta approves the documentation. This is normal and is part of Facebook's effort to reduce fake accounts and impersonation, not a sign that anything is wrong with your account.

What to Do If You Can't Change Your Name

If the Name field looks greyed out, won't save, or you get an error message, work through these checks in order:

  1. Check the 60-day window. Open the Name field — Facebook usually displays a message telling you the exact date you'll be eligible to change your name again.
  2. Re-check your spelling and formatting. Remove any numbers, symbols, extra spaces, or unusual capitalization.
  3. Update the app. An outdated app version can cause the settings menu to behave unpredictably or show a broken review screen.
  4. Complete ID verification if requested. Ignoring the verification prompt keeps the change (and sometimes the account) locked.
  5. Contact Facebook support. If none of the above resolves it, use the "Let us know" or "Chat with Meta AI support assistant" link found at the bottom of the Facebook Help Centre's name-change article to escalate the issue.

Changing a Facebook Page Name (Different Process)

It's worth noting that everything above applies to your personal profile. Renaming a Facebook Page you manage (for a business, brand, or community) is a completely separate process handled from the Page's own Settings, not from Accounts Center. Page name changes typically go through a review that can take about three business days, and Pages with a large following or a verified badge may face extra scrutiny to prevent brand confusion. If your goal was to rename a business Page rather than your personal account, look for "Page name" inside that Page's settings instead of following the steps in this guide.

Profile Name vs. Username vs. Profile URL

A source of confusion for a lot of users: changing your display name does not automatically change your Facebook username or your profile URL (the "facebook.com/yourname" link). Your display name is what appears on posts, comments, and search results. Your username/URL is a separate identifier you can edit independently from the Accounts Center's "Username" section. If you want both to match, you'll need to update them separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I change my name on Facebook?

Once every 60 days. The timer resets each time you successfully save a new name.

Can I change my Facebook name without waiting 60 days?

Not through normal settings. Your only option is contacting Facebook support directly and explaining the situation, such as an urgent legal name change.

Why won't Facebook let me change my name?

The most common reasons are: you're still inside the 60-day cooldown, your requested name includes symbols, numbers, or titles that violate Facebook's name standards, or your account has been flagged and needs ID verification.

Does changing my name on Facebook affect Instagram or Threads?

Not automatically, unless your accounts are explicitly linked and synced in the Meta Accounts Center. Facebook, Instagram, and Threads names are managed separately by default.

Can I use a nickname as my main Facebook name?

You can use a commonly recognized nickname (like "Alex" for "Alexander"), but stylized nicknames with symbols or numbers usually get rejected. For anything more creative, use the alternate name field instead.

Is changing your name on Facebook free?

Yes, changing your name in the app is completely free. There's no fee for using the Name field or the alternate name option.

What happens to my old name after I change it?

Facebook does not publicly display your previous name once the change is approved. Your posting history stays intact, but the name shown attached to older posts updates to your new name.

Final Thoughts

Changing your name on Facebook in the app is a quick process once you know where to look — the Name field lives inside Accounts Center, under your profile's Personal details. The parts that trip people up aren't the taps themselves, but the rules around them: the 60-day cooldown, the real-name policy, and the possibility of an ID check for bigger changes. Plan your new name carefully before you save it, and if you only want an easy way for people to recognize a nickname or maiden name, use the alternate name field instead of touching your primary name at all.

This guide was researched and published by the App World Team at appworld.work, and reflects Facebook's app interface and name-change policy as of August 2026. Facebook periodically updates its settings menus, so your exact screens may differ slightly depending on your app version and region.

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