Facebook Inc. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said the company would change its name to Meta to reflect growth opportunities beyond its namesake social-media platform in online digital realms known as the metaverse.

“Over time I hope our company will be seen as a metaverse company,” Mr. Zuckerberg said Thursday. He unveiled the new name for the company that also includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other products at Facebook’s annual developer event. At the Facebook Connect event Thursday, he detailed his vision for the metaverse that he sees as key to the social-media giant attracting a younger audience.