Linux Rename File Command

I'm a new Linux user. How do I rename a file called resumezzz.pdf to resume.pdf using Linux bash command prompt?

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

 
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

 
info mv

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Linux Rename File Command

Linux rename a file syntax

Detailed information about mv command

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