How To Change Your Name On Facebook

There can be many reasons why someone would like to change your name on Facebook, whether that’s to switch it up to a fun nickname, correct a spelling error or you’ve changed your name and would like your Facebook profile to reflect that.

Changing your name on Facebook is not as difficult as one might think and this article will explain exactly how to change your name on Facebook.

Before we get to the “how”, you may still have a few questions, let’s answer those first.

Can you change your name on Facebook?

Once you have created a Facebook account it will ask you for a name.

Giving your legal first name and last name is always an option, and you can choose to disclose that information or not.

No matter what you choose to fill in, there is always the option to change your name on Facebook after you have created the account, any time you wish.

When does it make sense to change your Facebook name?

Changing your name on Facebook makes the most sense when you feel it is right to do so.

People often change their names on social media after they have gone through a change in their life.

Maybe you outgrew the nickname you chose in 2006 when you opened the account, or you have recently gotten married and taken your spouse’s last name.

Whatever your reason may be, the option to change your name (or change it back) is always there.

How often can you change your name on Facebook?

Although there are some limits to the changes you can make to your Facebook name that everyone should be aware of before they go change their name.

Facebook has some rules in place to prevent too many name changes too frequently. You can change your name once in a 60-day time period and after you change your name twice the period extends to 120 days.

How to change your name on Facebook on desktop

If you have decided to change your name on Facebook here is how you would do so using a desktop computer:

• Log into your Facebook account.
• In the right-hand corner click the downturned arrow.
• Select “Settings and Privacy”.
• Click “Name”.
• Enter your new name and review changes.
• Enter your Facebook password.
• Save your changes.

How to change your name on Facebook from mobile

If you have decided to change your name on Facebook here is how you would do so using an iPhone:

• Open the Facebook app on your iPhone.
• Click the menu button on the bottom right-hand corner.
• Select “Settings and Privacy”.
• Click “Personal Account Information”.
• Select “Name”.
• Enter your new name and review the changes.
• Enter your Facebook password and tap “Save”.

If you have decided to change your name on Facebook here is how you would do so using an Android:

• Open the Facebook app on your iPhone.
• Click the menu button on the top right-hand corner.
• Select “Settings and Privacy”.
• Click “Personal Account Information”.
• Select “Name”.
• Enter your new name and review the changes.
• Enter your Facebook password and tap “Save”.

Common reasons why you can’t change your name on Facebook

There have been some users experiencing difficulties changing their names on Facebook for many reasons, here are some of the most common:

• Facebook’s limit on initials, characters, capital letters, and so on may be affecting your ability to change your name. More prominently some ethnic groups like Tamil, Irish, Native American, Japanese and Vietnamese may encounter these issues due to the nature of their languages and the names that are common in those countries.
• You have tried to change your name too many times in the past 120 days.
• The name you are trying to change it to violates Facebook’s rules for possible names used on the platform. You cannot use:
• Characters from more than one language (for example using Japanese and Spanish characters or accents in the same name).
• The name cannot be a phrase
• The name cannot include too many repeating characters, punctuation, capitalized lettering, or symbols.
• The name cannot include a religious or professional title (like Reverand Donaldson or Dr. Donaldson)
• Names cannot go against Facebook’s Community Standards
• Names cannot represent an organization or group, Facebook has options to make a page for businesses and organizations.

Final thoughts on changing your name on Facebook

Changing your name on Facebook is a personal choice that you make and should only be done when you feel it is right.

People often change their names on social media after they have gone through a change in their life, such as getting married.

If you feel the time is right for a name change, then go ahead, just remember that Facebook has some rules in place to prevent too many name changes too frequently.

You can only change your name once in a 60-day time period and after you change your name twice the period extends to 120 days.

I hope this article has been helpful in showing you how to change your name on Facebook.