rename

verb

re·​name (ˌ)rē-ˈnām How to pronounce rename (audio)
renamed; renaming
Synonyms of renamenext

transitive verb

: to give (someone or something) a new name
renamed the street in honor of the late mayor
… a 16-year-old who left the Orthodox life a year ago. He has renamed himself Adam to cement the break …—Ron Kampeas
The program was actually a relatively simple … script that renames files on your hard drive …—Michael J. Miller

Examples of rename in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump previously issued an order to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, but many still use the original name. — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026 While for some such renaming might seem less important than the big problems the country faces, there is a formal process in the United States for renaming places, and that process is taken seriously. — Innisfree McKinnon, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 The change from Lake Ontario to Lake America – like renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America or the Defense Department the War Department – isn’t codified in law. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Trump signed an executive order yesterday renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rename

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rename was in 1579

Rhymes for rename

See All Rhymes for rename

Browse Nearby Words

renal splanchnic nerve
rename
Renan
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rename.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rename. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rename

verb
re·​name
(ˈ)rē-ˈnām
: to give a new name to

More from Merriam-Webster on rename

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rename

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