Git Rename (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 18 Mar, 2026

Git rename is used to change the name or location of a file while keeping its version history intact. It helps track file movements without losing previous commits.

• Renames or moves files within the repository.
• Preserves commit history of the file.
• Combines rename and staging in a single command (git mv).

Rename using GitHub

Rename a file directly on GitHub through the web interface without using command-line tools.

**Step 1: Open GitHub.

**Step 2: Open the repository to rename any file in that repository.

**Step 3: Open the file which we want to rename.

**Step 4: Click the edit button and rename the file.

**Step 5: After renaming the file, commit the changes.

**Step 6: A file with the new name will be saved.

Renaming using the Command Line

Rename a file in Git using the terminal while preserving its history.

**Step 1: Open Git Bash.

**Step 2: Open the repository.

**Step 3: Rename the file using the command:

git mv old_filename new_filename

**Step 4: Check the changes.

git status

**Step 5: Commit the renamed file.

git commit -m "Renamed file"

**Step 6: Push the changes

git push origin branch_name