Reinvent Yourself (or Disappear): How to Change Your Name on Facebook

Facebook has long required people to use their real names; it’s even penalized people(Opens in a new window) for using real names that sounded fake to the social network’s algorithm. But if you change your name, go by a nickname, or just want to try to game Facebook’s system, you can change the name that displays on your profile with just a few clicks (though there are some restrictions(Opens in a new window)).

Change Your Name

Click your profile image, then open Settings & Privacy > Settings. Select your name in the sidebar, then click the Edit link next to your current name.

Mobile users can tap their profile icon in the app, then select the gear icon. Open Personal information, then choose Name to reach the same place.

You can then change your first, middle, or last name in the appropriate field. Select the Review Change button and enter your Facebook password to make it final. Facebook will warn you that your name can only be changed once in a 60-day period, so make sure you have it right.

This change will also synchronize with Meta-owned Instagram, if you have that turned on in Settings, so you don’t need to worry about changing it there as well. If you need to turn that on, choose the Manage sync settings link above the name fields.

On the web, you can enable Sync profile info on the next page. Mobile users must tap Profiles, then choose the correct profile. Tap your Instagram profile, then enable Sync profile info.

Add Alternate Names

You can also add additional names to your profile, like nicknames, married names, maiden names, legal names, or any other moniker someone may use to find you on the platform.

To add an alternate name, open to your profile, then click the About tab and choose the Details about you option. On mobile, go to your profile and tap Edit profile. Scroll to the bottom and tap Edit Your About Info. Select Add a nickname (Add Other Name on mobile) and select the type of name you want to add from the drop-down menu. Type the name and hit Save.

Alternate names are automatically public and will help others find you on Facebook. If you want the new name to be part of your display name, enable the Show at top of profile option.

In order to make sure everything is as it should be, you’ll want to view your profile from the eyes of your friends. You can do this from your profile by selecting the three-dot menu under the Edit Profile button. Choose the View As option to see what information is public and make sure your new name is visible to all.