'rename' originates from the Latin prefix 're-' meaning 'again' combined with English 'name' (from Old English 'nama', from Proto-Germanic *namô), where 're-' meant 'again' and 'nama' meant 'name'.

'rename' changed from Middle English 'renamen' (and related Old French forms such as 'renomer'/'renommer') and eventually became the modern English word 'rename'.

Initially, it meant 'to give again or anew a name' (i.e., to give a new name), and over time it has remained largely the same, now meaning 'to give a new name to someone or something'.