How do I rename a directory via the command line?

mv /home/user/oldname /home/user/newname

mv can do two jobs.

1. It can move files or directories
2. It can rename files or directories

To just rename a file or directory type this in Terminal:

mv old_name new_name 

with space between the old and new names.

To move a file or directory type this in Terminal.

mv file_name ~/Desktop 

it will move the file to the desktop.

If is a directory you should add -R before the directory name:

mv -R directory_name ~/Desktop

mv -T /home/user/oldname /home/user/newname

That will rename the directory if the destination doesn't exist or if it exists but it's empty. Otherwise it will give you an error.

If you do this instead:

mv /home/user/oldname /home/user/newname

One of two things will happen:

• If /home/user/newname doesn't exist, it will rename /home/user/oldname to /home/user/newname
• If /home/user/newname exists, it will move /home/user/oldname into /home/user/newname, i.e. /home/user/newname/oldname

Source: How to decide that mv moves into a directory rather than replacing directory?

If you want to rename a directory at your level in the file system (e.g., you are at your home directory and want to rename a directory that is also in your home directory):

mv Directory ./NewNameDirectory

This gvfs-move command will also rename files and directories.

gvfs-move /home/user/oldname /home/user/newname