rename.util

rename [options] expression replacement file...

rename from util-linux performs batch file renaming using simple string substitution. It replaces the first occurrence of expression with replacement in each filename. Unlike the Perl rename command, it does not use regular expressions.
The command processes all matching files, making it efficient for bulk operations like changing extensions or adding prefixes. Multiple rename operations can be chained together for more complex transformations.

-v, --verbose

Show which files are being renamed

Dry run; show what would be renamed without doing it

Do not overwrite existing files

Replace all occurrences, not just the first

Replace the last occurrence instead of the first

Rename symbolic link target instead of link itself

Prompt before overwriting

Display version information

Display help message

Overwrites files without prompting by default; use -n for dry runs and -o to prevent overwrites. Only replaces the first occurrence unless -a is specified. Does not support regular expressions; use Perl rename for complex patterns.

Part of util-linux, the standard Linux utility collection. Provides simple string-based renaming as opposed to the more powerful (but complex) Perl-based rename found on Debian systems. The two commands are often confused due to sharing the same name.

mv(1), rename(1), mmv(1)