Just like Facebook, the company, rebranded itself to Meta, you might be considering a change to your Facebook profile name too. Whether it’s a simple update to your nickname, reflecting a legal name change, or just wanting a fresh start, Facebook allows you to modify the name displayed on your profile. While your Facebook name isn’t set in stone, it’s worth knowing that Facebook has guidelines for names and limits how often you can change it – typically, you can only change it once every 60 days.
Ready to update your profile? This guide will walk you through the steps on how to change your name on Facebook across various devices, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process.
Updating Your Facebook Name on Different Platforms
The process to change your name on Facebook is similar across different devices, but here’s a breakdown for each platform:
Changing Your Facebook Name on a Computer
If you’re using a desktop or laptop, here’s how to change your name on Facebook:
- Access the Menu: Look for the dropdown arrow icon, usually located in the top right corner of your Facebook page, near your profile picture. Click on this icon to open the menu.
- Navigate to Settings: From the dropdown menu, find and click on “Settings & Privacy.” This will expand to show more options. Select “Settings” from this list.
- Go to Name Settings: In the left sidebar of the Settings page, you will see various options. Click on “Name,” which is usually listed under “Account Settings.”
- Enter Your New Name: You will now see fields for your First, Middle, and Last name. Carefully enter your desired new name in these fields. Ensure it adheres to Facebook’s name guidelines.
- Review Changes: After entering your new name, click the “Review Change” button. Facebook will often show you a preview of how your name will appear on your profile.
- Save Your New Name: To finalize the change, you’ll be prompted to enter your Facebook password. Type your password and click “Save Changes.” Your name on Facebook is now updated!
This image shows the location of the dropdown tab icon on the top right corner of the Facebook interface on a computer, which users need to click to start the process of changing their name.
How to Change Your Facebook Name on an Android Device
For Android users, the steps are just as straightforward using the Facebook app:
- Open the Facebook App Menu: Launch the Facebook app on your Android device. Tap the menu icon, represented by three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other. This is typically located in the top right corner of the app.
- Access Settings & Privacy: Scroll down the menu until you find “Settings & Privacy.” Tap on it to expand the options, and then select “Settings.”
- Go to Personal and Account Information: Within the Settings menu, look for and tap “Personal and account information.” This section contains your name, contact information, and identity confirmation settings.
- Select “Name”: Tap on “Name.” This will take you to the section where you can edit your name.
- Enter Your New Name and Review: Enter your desired first, middle, and last name. Once you’ve entered the new name, tap “Review Change.”
- Save Changes with Password: You will be asked to re-enter your password to confirm the name change. Type your password and tap “Save Changes.” Your Facebook name is now updated on your Android device.
This image displays the three stacked horizontal lines icon in the top right corner of the Facebook app on an Android device, illustrating the menu access point for users.
Changing Your Facebook Name on iOS (iPhone and iPad)
If you are using an iPhone or iPad, the steps are almost identical to Android:
- Open the Facebook App Menu: Open the Facebook app on your iOS device. Look for the menu icon, which is again represented by three horizontal lines, but on iOS, it’s typically located in the bottom right corner of the app.
- Navigate to Settings & Privacy: Scroll down and tap “Settings & Privacy,” then select “Settings.”
- Go to Personal and Account Information: Select “Personal and account information.”
- Select “Name”: Tap on “Name” to edit your profile name.
- Enter New Name and Review: Enter your new first, middle, and last name. Tap “Review Change.”
- Confirm with Password: Enter your password and tap “Save Changes” to finalize the name update on your iOS device.
Updating Your Name on Mobile Browser
If you prefer using a mobile browser to access Facebook, you can still change your name:
- Open Facebook in Mobile Browser: Open your preferred mobile browser (like Chrome, Safari, etc.) and go to Facebook.com.
- Access Settings & Privacy: Scroll down to the bottom of the page. You should find “Settings & Privacy” listed there. Tap on it.
- Select “Name”: From the expanded options, tap “Name.”
- Enter New Name and Review Change: Enter your desired new name in the provided fields. Select “Review change.”
- Save with Password: Enter your password to save the changes.
Changing Name on m.facebook.com (Mobile Browser)
For users accessing the mobile version of Facebook through m.facebook.com:
- Go to m.facebook.com: Open your mobile browser and navigate to m.facebook.com.
- Open the Menu: Tap the icon with three stacked horizontal lines, usually in the upper right corner.
- Access Settings: Scroll down the menu and find “Settings.” Tap to open it.
- Go to Personal and Account Information: Select “Personal and account information.”
- Select “Name”: Tap “Name.”
- Enter New Name and Review: Enter your new name and select “Review change.”
- Save Changes: Enter your password and save.
How to Change Your Name on Facebook Lite App
If you’re using the Facebook Lite app, the process is also very similar:
- Open Facebook Lite Menu: Open the Facebook Lite app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper right corner.
- Access Settings: Scroll down and tap “settings.”
- Go to Personal and Account Information: Select “Personal and account information.”
- Select “Name” then “Edit”: Tap “Name,” and then tap “Edit” next to “Name.”
- Enter New Name and Review: Enter your new name and select “Review change.”
- Confirm with Password: Enter your password to save the changes.
Things to Consider Before Changing Your Name
Before you rush to change your name on Facebook, keep these points in mind:
- Facebook’s Name Policy: Facebook has specific guidelines regarding acceptable names. Avoid using symbols, numbers, unusual capitalization, or offensive terms. Your name should represent your real identity.
- 60-Day Limit: As mentioned, Facebook typically only allows name changes every 60 days. Choose your new name carefully, as you won’t be able to change it again soon.
- Name Change Approval: In some cases, Facebook might require you to provide additional information or documentation to verify your name change, especially if it seems unusual or doesn’t comply with their guidelines.
Changing your name on Facebook is a straightforward process across various platforms. By following these steps, you can easily update your profile to reflect your current name. Just remember to adhere to Facebook’s name policies and consider the 60-day waiting period between changes.
For more detailed information or if you encounter any issues, you can always refer to the official Facebook Help Center.