Understanding Folder Renaming in Linux
In Linux, there’s no separate “rename” command.
Instead, Linux uses the mv (move) command to rename both files and directories.
That’s because, technically, renaming a folder is just like moving it from one name to another location in the same directory.
So when you do:
mv old_folder new_folder
Linux “moves” the folder to a new path which is effectively renaming it.
Basic Syntax of the mv Command
The structure is simple:
mv [options] old_name new_name
old_name→ current folder namenew_name→ new folder name you want to giveoptions→ optional flags for more control
Example:
mv project_2024 project_backup
This changes the folder name from project_2024 to project_backup.
Rename a Folder in the Same Directory
If you’re inside the same directory, you can just run:
mv old_folder new_folder
Example:
Let’s say your folder structure looks like this:
/home/user/documents/
And you have:
old_reports/
To rename:
mv old_reports new_reports
Result:
/home/user/documents/new_reports/
Rename a Folder from Another Directory
You can also rename folders located elsewhere by providing the full path.
Example:
mv /home/user/old_folder /home/user/new_folder
This works even if you’re not currently in that directory.
Rename Multiple Folders Using Brace Expansion
If you need to rename several folders with similar names, Linux supports a handy feature called brace expansion.
Example:
Suppose you have:
project_v1, project_v2, project_v3
and you want to rename them as:
project_2023_v1, project_2023_v2, project_2023_v3
You can run:
for folder in project_v*; do mv "$folder" "${folder/v/project_2023_v}"; done
This loop renames all matching folders efficiently.
Rename Folder Using rename Command (Optional Tool)
While mv works in all systems, some Linux distributions include a dedicated rename command for advanced bulk renaming.
Syntax:
rename 's/old_text/new_text/' foldername
Example:
rename 's/old/new/' old_folder
It changes old_folder to new_folder.
Note:
The syntax may vary depending on your Linux distro.
For example, Debian-based and Red Hat–based systems use slightly differentrenametools.
You can check which version you have using:
rename --version
Rename Folder Using Absolute and Relative Paths
Using Relative Path:
If you’re already in /home/user:
mv documents reports
Using Absolute Path:
You can also specify the complete paths:
mv /home/user/documents /home/user/reports
Both commands do the same thing — it’s just about where you’re currently located.
Rename Folder in Another Directory
If you’re in a different directory, you can still rename folders elsewhere.
Example:
You’re in /home, but want to rename something in /home/user/projects.
Run:
mv /home/user/projects/old_folder /home/user/projects/new_folder
No need to cd into the folder first.
Check the Folder Before and After Renaming
You can list directories before renaming:
ls
After renaming, check again:
ls
You’ll see the new folder name reflected immediately.
Rename Folder with Spaces in Its Name
If your folder has spaces (like “My Documents”), always use quotes:
mv "My Documents" "My Reports"
Without quotes, Linux will treat it as two separate names and show an error.
Rename a Folder as Root or with Sudo
If you’re renaming a system or restricted directory, you might need root permissions.
Example:
sudo mv /var/www/html/old_site /var/www/html/new_site
This ensures permission issues don’t block the rename.
Rename Multiple Folders with a Pattern (Advanced)
For more complex batch renaming, you can use the rename command or a loop.
Example:
Rename all folders starting with “test_” to “prod_”:
for folder in test_*; do mv "$folder" "${folder/test_/prod_}"; done
Each folder name gets replaced with the new prefix automatically.
Rename Folder Using GUI (Desktop Users)
If you’re using a desktop environment like Ubuntu GNOME, Fedora Workstation, or KDE, you can rename folders easily:
- Open your File Manager (e.g., Nautilus).
- Right-click the folder you want to rename.
- Choose “Rename” or press F2.
- Enter the new name and hit Enter.
Behind the scenes, it’s still using the same system logic as mv.
Verify Folder Rename
Once renamed, you can check using:
ls -ld new_folder
It shows:
drwxr-xr-x 2 user user 4096 Oct 4 12:10 new_folder
This confirms your rename worked correctly.
Common Errors and Fixes
| Error Message | Meaning | Solution |
|---|---|---|
mv: cannot move ‘old_folder’ to ‘new_folder’: Permission denied | You don’t have permission | Use sudo mv |
mv: cannot stat ‘old_folder’: No such file or directory | The folder name is wrong or doesn’t exist | Double-check spelling with ls |
mv: overwrite ‘new_folder’? | The destination folder already exists | Use a unique new name or remove the existing folder |
Pro Tip:
If the target folder already exists, you’ll be prompted whether to overwrite it. Always check with ls first before running mv.
Example: Renaming a Project Folder
Let’s assume you have a folder structure like:
/home/pratham/projects/
And inside you have:
mywebsite_old/
You want to rename it to:
mywebsite_live/
Steps:
cd /home/pratham/projects
mv mywebsite_old mywebsite_live
Check:
ls
Output:
mywebsite_live
Done — folder renamed successfully!
Summary of Commands
| Task | Command |
|---|---|
| Basic rename | mv old_folder new_folder |
| Rename with path | mv /path/old /path/new |
| Rename with spaces | mv "Old Folder" "New Folder" |
| Rename as root | sudo mv old_folder new_folder |
| Rename with pattern | rename 's/old/new/' foldername |
| Bulk rename loop | for folder in old_*; do mv "$folder" "${folder/old_/new_}"; done |
Wrapping Up
Renaming folders in Linux is simple once you understand the mv command.
For most situations, this is all you need:
mv old_folder new_folder
It’s fast, reliable, and works on every Linux distribution whether you’re using Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, or Debian.
If you’re dealing with multiple folders or want automation, try the rename command or use loops for bulk renaming.
Mastering these basics makes Linux file management much easier and more efficient.
