Changing your name on Facebook is a common task, especially after marriage, divorce, or simply wanting to use a preferred nickname. However, many users are unaware that Facebook provides options to help people find you using previous names, like your maiden name or a former married name. This article will guide you through the process of changing your name on Facebook and configuring your profile so friends and family can still find you using other names. We’ll cover the step-by-step instructions, address common issues, and explain Facebook’s name policies to ensure a smooth and successful name change.
Why Change Your Name on Facebook?
There are several reasons why you might want to change your name on Facebook:
- Marriage: Updating your last name to reflect your married name.
- Divorce: Reverting to your maiden name or choosing a different name.
- Nickname: Using a preferred nickname that friends and family already know you by.
- Professional Reasons: Aligning your Facebook name with your professional identity.
- Privacy Concerns: Protecting your privacy by using a less common name.
- Legal Name Change: After legally changing your name.
Understanding Facebook’s Name Policy
Before changing your name, it’s crucial to understand Facebook’s name policy. Facebook requires users to use their authentic names, meaning the name they use in real life and that appears on their government-issued ID. Here are some key points:
- Authentic Name: You must use your real name, as it would appear on your driver’s license or passport.
- No Symbols or Unusual Characters: Names cannot contain symbols, numbers, unusual capitalization, repeating characters, or punctuation.
- No Titles or Honorifics: Titles like Mr., Ms., Dr., or professional designations are not allowed.
- No Offensive Language: Names cannot contain offensive or suggestive language.
- Limited Changes: Facebook limits how often you can change your name. If you’ve recently changed it, you might have to wait a certain period before changing it again.
Violating these policies can result in your profile being suspended or even deleted, so it’s important to adhere to them.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Name on Facebook
Here’s how to change your name on Facebook using a computer or mobile device:
On a Computer:
- Log in to Facebook: Open your web browser and go to www.facebook.com. Enter your email address or phone number and password to log in.
- Access Settings & Privacy: Click the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner of the page. This opens a dropdown menu. Select “Settings & Privacy” and then click on “Settings.”
- Go to General Account Settings: In the left sidebar, click on “General Account Settings.” If you don’t see the left sidebar, look for similar options in a menu at the top or bottom of the screen (especially on smaller browser windows).
- Edit Your Name: You’ll see your name listed at the top of the General Account Settings. Click “Edit” to the right of your name.
- Enter Your New Name: Enter your First Name, Middle Name (optional), and Last Name in the respective fields. Make sure your name adheres to Facebook’s name policy.
- Review Changes: After entering your new name, click “Review Change.” Facebook will show you a preview of how your name will appear on your profile.
- Enter Your Password: To confirm the name change, enter your Facebook password in the provided field.
- Save Changes: Click “Save Changes.” Your name will be updated on your Facebook profile.
On a Mobile Device (Android or iOS):
- Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Access the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger menu”) in the top-right corner (on Android) or bottom-right corner (on iOS).
- Scroll Down and Tap Settings & Privacy: Scroll down the menu and tap “Settings & Privacy” to expand it.
- Tap Settings: Tap “Settings” from the expanded menu.
- Tap Personal and Account Information: Under the “Account” section, tap “Personal and Account Information.”
- Tap Name: Tap “Name” to edit your name.
- Enter Your New Name: Enter your First Name, Middle Name (optional), and Last Name in the respective fields. Ensure your name complies with Facebook’s guidelines.
- Review Change: After entering your new name, tap “Review Change.” Facebook will show you a preview of how your name will appear on your profile.
- Enter Your Password: To confirm the name change, enter your Facebook password in the provided field.
- Save Changes: Tap “Save Changes.” Your name will be updated on your Facebook profile.
Adding a Maiden Name or Other Previous Name on Facebook
To help people find you using your maiden name, married name, or another previous name, you can add an “Other Name” to your profile. This is different from changing your primary name. The Other Name feature allows users to specify alternative names people might use to search for them.
On a Computer:
- Go to Your Profile: Navigate to your Facebook profile page.
- Click on “About”: On your profile page, click on the “About” tab, usually located under your cover photo.
- Select “Details About You”: In the left sidebar (or a menu at the top/bottom of the screen on smaller screens), click on “Details About You.” If you don’t see “Details About You,” look for a similarly named section like “Contact and Basic Info.”
- Add a Nickname, Birth Name, or Other Name: Scroll down to the “Other Names” section. If you don’t see it, you might need to click “Add another name” or “Add or change other names.”
- Choose the Name Type: Click on the dropdown menu to select the type of name you want to add. Options include:
- Nickname: A name that friends and family call you.
- Birth Name: Your maiden name or the name you were given at birth.
- Other Name: A general option for any other name you’ve used.
- Maiden Name: Specifically for your maiden name.
- Married Name: Specifically for a married name.
- Enter the Name: Type the name you want to add in the text field.
- Show at Top of Profile: Check the box next to “Show at top of profile” if you want this name to be displayed prominently on your profile. This option is useful if you want people to easily recognize you by your maiden name, for example.
- Save Changes: Click “Save.” The other name will now be added to your profile information.
On a Mobile Device (Android or iOS):
- Go to Your Profile: Open the Facebook app and navigate to your profile page by tapping your profile picture or name.
- Tap “See Your About Info”: On your profile, look for and tap the button that says “See Your About Info.”
- Scroll Down to “Other Names”: Scroll down through your profile information until you find the “Other Names” section. If you don’t see it, look for an “Add” button near the bottom of the page.
- Tap “Add a nickname, a birth name…”: Tap on the option that says “Add a nickname, a birth name…” or similar.
- Choose the Name Type: Tap the dropdown menu to select the type of name you want to add. Options include:
- Nickname: A name that friends and family call you.
- Birth Name: Your maiden name or the name you were given at birth.
- Other Name: A general option for any other name you’ve used.
- Maiden Name: Specifically for your maiden name.
- Married Name: Specifically for a married name.
- Enter the Name: Type the name you want to add in the text field.
- Show at Top of Profile: Toggle the switch next to “Show at top of profile” if you want this name to be displayed prominently on your profile.
- Save Changes: Tap “Save.” The other name will now be added to your profile information.
Managing Who Can See Your Name Changes and Other Names
Facebook allows you to control who can see the different names on your profile. You can customize the visibility of your primary name, as well as any other names you add.
Adjusting Privacy Settings for Your Name:
Unfortunately, Facebook doesn’t offer granular privacy controls for *individual* names. The privacy setting for your primary name applies to how your profile is generally found and viewed. You can adjust your overall profile privacy, but not specifically who sees your first name versus last name.
However, you *can* control the visibility of your “Other Names” (like maiden name or nickname).
Controlling Visibility of “Other Names”:
When you add an “Other Name,” Facebook typically defaults to making it visible to everyone. However, you can adjust this in some cases, depending on Facebook’s current interface. The process *used* to involve clicking the little globe icon next to the “Other Name” after saving it, which would allow you to change the audience to “Friends,” “Only Me,” or a custom list. However, Facebook has been streamlining its interface and these options may not be directly available.
If the globe icon *is* available, click it and choose your desired audience. If it’s *not* available, your “Other Name” is likely visible to the public. The best way to manage who sees your “Other Names” is to carefully consider whether you want them displayed publicly. If privacy is a major concern, it might be best *not* to display the “Other Name” at the top of your profile, even if that means fewer people will find you by that name.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Changing your name on Facebook can sometimes be problematic. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:
- Name Change Not Allowed: Facebook limits how frequently you can change your name. If you’ve recently changed your name, you might have to wait before you can change it again. Check Facebook’s help center for the specific waiting period.
- Name Change Rejected: Your name change might be rejected if it violates Facebook’s name policy. Ensure your name is your real name, doesn’t contain symbols or unusual characters, and is not offensive.
- Need to Verify Identity: Facebook might ask you to verify your identity by providing a copy of your government-issued ID. This is to ensure that you are using your real name and that the name change is legitimate. You’ll usually be prompted to upload a scan or photo of your ID.
- Stuck in Review: Sometimes, name changes get stuck in review. This can happen if Facebook needs to manually verify the change. Be patient and wait for Facebook to complete the review process. You can also try contacting Facebook support to inquire about the status of your request.
- Cannot Find “Other Names” Section: Facebook’s interface changes frequently. If you cannot find the “Other Names” section, try looking in the “Contact and Basic Info” or “Details About You” sections of your profile’s “About” tab. You can also try searching Facebook’s help center for specific instructions.
Tips for a Smooth Name Change
Here are some tips to ensure a smooth and successful name change on Facebook:
- Review Facebook’s Name Policy: Before making any changes, familiarize yourself with Facebook’s name policy to avoid rejection.
- Use Your Real Name: Always use your real name, as it appears on your government-issued ID.
- Provide Accurate Information: Ensure that the information you provide is accurate and consistent with your identification documents.
- Be Patient: If your name change is under review, be patient and wait for Facebook to complete the process.
- Contact Support if Needed: If you encounter any issues or have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Facebook support for assistance.
- Inform Your Friends: After changing your name, inform your friends and family so they know to search for you using your new name.
Alternative Strategies for Being Found
Besides adding an “Other Name,” here are a few other strategies to consider so people can find you, even after a name change:
- Update Your Contact Information: Ensure your profile includes accurate contact information, such as your email address and phone number. Friends who have this information saved in their contacts may be able to find you more easily.
- Use a Recognizable Profile Picture: A clear and recognizable profile picture can help people identify you, even if your name has changed. Use a recent photo that shows your face clearly.
- Post an Announcement: Make a post on your timeline announcing your name change. This will alert your friends and family and help them update their contact information for you. Explain *why* you changed your name to avoid confusion.
- Tag Yourself in Old Photos: Tag yourself in old photos where you might be known by your previous name. This will help those who are searching for your old name to find those photos and then see your tagged profile with your current name.
- Join Relevant Groups: Participate in groups related to your interests or community. This increases your visibility and allows people to find you through mutual connections.
- Use Facebook Search Effectively: Become familiar with using the Facebook search bar. Try searching for people using shared interests, schools, workplaces, or mutual friends. This can help you locate people even if you don’t know their exact name.
- Ask Mutual Friends: If someone is having trouble finding you, ask a mutual friend to tag you in a post or comment. This will help direct them to your profile.
The Importance of Privacy
While it’s useful to make it easy for people to find you, it’s also important to be mindful of your privacy. Consider the following privacy settings:
- Who can see your posts: Choose who can see your posts (Public, Friends, Only Me, or Custom).
- Who can send you friend requests: Limit who can send you friend requests (Everyone or Friends of Friends).
- Who can look you up using the email address or phone number you provided: Control who can find you using your contact information.
- Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile?: Decide whether you want your profile to be searchable on search engines like Google.
Regularly review and update your privacy settings to ensure that you are comfortable with the information you are sharing on Facebook.
Keeping Your Profile Updated
Finally, it’s a good practice to keep your Facebook profile updated regularly. This includes updating your contact information, work experience, education, and other details. An up-to-date profile not only helps people find you but also provides a more accurate representation of who you are.
Conclusion
Changing your name on Facebook and adding alternative names like maiden or married names is a straightforward process that can help friends and family find you more easily. By following the steps outlined in this article and understanding Facebook’s name policy, you can ensure a smooth and successful name change. Remember to review your privacy settings and keep your profile updated to maintain control over your online presence. Utilizing features like “Other Names” allows you to strike a balance between discoverability and privacy, ensuring you remain connected with the people who matter most while safeguarding your personal information.
By taking the time to understand and implement these strategies, you can confidently manage your Facebook identity and make it easier for others to connect with you, regardless of past name changes.