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How to Change Your Name on Facebook Platform

Changing your name on Facebook is a straightforward process that allows you to update your profile to reflect a legal name change, new nickname, or other preferred name. As a popular social media platform used by billions, ensuring your Facebook name matches your real-life identity can help friends, family, and colleagues locate you easily.

Follow this step-by-step guide to change your name on Facebook using either desktop or mobile.

When You Should Change Your Facebook Name

There are a few common reasons for changing your name on Facebook:

  • Legal Name Changes: If you changed your first, middle, or last name due to marriage, divorce, or other legal name change, updating Facebook helps match your online presence to your real identity.
  • Nicknames: Adding a longtime nickname along with your legal name ensures people know who you are when searching.
  • Personal Preference: You may prefer to use a variation of your name, like a middle name or initial, rather than your first name.

Facebook Name Change Rules and Limitations

Before changing your name, note that Facebook enforces rules around name changes:

  • You can only change your name once every 60 days.
  • Names must adhere to Facebook’s Real Name Policy banning offensive terms, symbols, numeric characters and more. Names considered fake may require ID verification.
  • You cannot change the order of your first or last name.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Change Your Name on Facebook

Follow these instructions to change your name on Facebook via desktop browser or mobile app.

On Desktop

  1. Log into your Facebook account on a desktop browser.
  2. Click the down arrow at the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
  4. Click Names in the left sidebar.
  5. Click Edit next to your current name.
  6. Enter your new preferred name.
  7. Click Review Change.
  8. Enter your account password.
  9. Click Save Changes.

On Mobile

  1. Open the Facebook app on your iPhone or Android.
  2. Tap the three-line menu icon in the bottom or top right.
  3. Scroll down and select Settings & Privacy > Settings
  4. Tap Personal and Account Information > Name > Edit next to your current name.
  5. Enter your new preferred name .
  6. Tap Review Change.
  7. Enter your account password.
  8. Tap Save Changes.

Adding a Nickname to Your Facebook Name

Along with changing your first and last name on Facebook, you can add nicknames, maiden names, and other name variations.

To add an additional name or nickname:

  1. Follow the steps above to access your name settings.
  2. Choose Add Other Names below your current name.
  3. Select the name type to add, like nickname or birth name.
  4. Enter the name.
  5. Choose whether to show the name publicly on your profile.
  6. Click Save Changes.

Added names display next to or under your first and last name on your profile. You manage name visibility in your profile’s about section.

Handling Name Change Issues

If Facebook does not accept your new name, here is what you can do:

  • Review naming rules: Ensure your name does not violate any terms in Facebook’s Real Name Policy. Remove any unacceptable characters, words or phrases.
  • Provide ID: If Facebook suspects your name is fake, you may need to provide legal identification to prove your name.
  • Wait to re-submit: You can only change your name once every 60 days, so wait the 60 day period if needed.
  • Appeal the decision: If you feel Facebook incorrectly rejected your name change request, submit an appeal through the Help Center.

Changing your name on Facebook to match your real-world identity and how people know you takes just a few minutes. Follow the step-by-step instructions to change your first, last or middle name, add nicknames, or make other updates to your profile name.

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