Rename File Command Line Ubuntu Linux

You need to use the mv command. It is used to rename and move files and directories. The general syntax is as follows:

 
mv old-file-name  new-file-name
mv [options] old-file-name  new-file-name
mv file1 file2
 

In this example, the following command would rename a file called resumezzz.pdf to resume.pdf. Open a command-line terminal (select Applications > Accessories > Terminal), and then type:

 
mv resumezzz.pdf resume.pdf
 

If resumezzz.pdf is located in /home/vivek/docs/files directory, type:

 
cd /home/vivek/docs/files
mv resumezzz.pdf resume.pdf
 

OR

 
mv /home/vivek/docs/files/resumezzz.pdf /home/vivek/docs/files/resume.pdf
 

Use the ls command to view files:

 
ls -l file1
ls -l file1 file2
ls -l /home/vivek/docs/files/*.pdf
ls -l *.pdf
 

Linux rename a file syntax

In short, to rename a file:

 
mv file1 file2
 

You can get verbose output i.e. mv command can explain what is being done using the following syntax:

 
mv -v file1 file2
 

Sample outputs:

`file1' -> `file2'

To make mv interactive pass the -i option. This option will prompt before overwriting file:

 
mv -i file1 file2
 

Sample outputs:

mv: overwrite `file2'? y

Detailed information about mv command

You can also view the manual page on mv using the following command:

 
man mv
 

OR

 
info mv