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
