Linux/Unix: Rename Directory With Spaces In Name

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I have directory named My Personal Files. How do I rename folders / directory containing white space in name on Unix-like operating systems?

You need to use the mv command to rename file or directory names on Linux or Unix-like operating systems.

Rename Directory With Spaces

The syntax is as follows:

Syntax # 1 – Using single quotes

Enclosing directory name in single quotes ('dir name') preserves the literal value of directory name within the quotes:

mv 'old name here' 'new dir name here'

Open the Terminal and type the following command to rename “My Personal Files” to “Files”:
mv 'My Personal Files' Files
ls -l

Syntax #2 – Using escape character

A non-quoted backslash \ is the shell escape character. It preserves the literal value of the next character that follows, with the exception of newline: The syntax is:

mv old\ name\ here 'new\ dir\ name\ here'

Open the Terminal and type the following command to rename “My Personal Files” to “Files”:
mv My\ Personal\ Files Files
ls -l

Sample session

Fig.01: Bash shell mv command: Rename Files With White Spaces
Fig.01: Bash shell mv command: Rename Files With White Spaces
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Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin, DevOps engineer, and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. Get the latest tutorials on SysAdmin, Linux/Unix and open source topics via RSS/XML feed or weekly email newsletter.

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