verb
Uncommon
rename
ree-NAYM
Rename (verb) means to give something or someone a new name. Example: “They renamed the street after the town's founder.”
verb
1
To give something or someone a new name.
"When Google announced it was complying with US President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, many Mexicans responded with a laugh and a long, exhausted sigh."
— Michael Rios, ‘It’s absurd’: Mexicans mock and shrug off Trump’s order to rename Gulf of Mexico (2025)
"On Monday, Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico."
— Louis Casiano, Coast Guard surging assets to Gulf of America, other waterways to support Trump’s executive orders (2025)
"They renamed the street after the town's founder."
"She renamed the file before sending it to the client."
"Taipei County was upgraded to the status as a special municipality in 2010 and renamed New Taipei."
— Huang Tzu-ti, Taiwan elections: KMT candidate wins race for New Taipei mayor (2018)
How to use rename
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo change what something is called.
Common pairings
rename a file
rename after
renamed in honour of
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Word forms
- Plural
- renames
- Third person singular
- renames
- Past tense
- renamed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They _____ the street after the town's founder.
Etymology
From re- ("again") plus "name."
Rhymes for rename
See all rhymes for rename →Frequently asked questions
What does “rename” mean?
The word “rename” means to give something or someone a new name. In plain terms, to change what something is called.
How do you pronounce “rename”?
“Rename” is pronounced ree-NAYM (/ɹiːˈneɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “rename” in a sentence?
Here is “rename” used in a sentence: “They renamed the street after the town's founder.”
What part of speech is “rename”?
“Rename” is a verb.
Is “rename” a common word?
“Rename” is an uncommon word in modern English.
