Important: Before starting, make a backup of your site (files + MySQL).
Option 1:
The standard sequence of actions when renaming a WordPress theme:
- Log into your WordPress admin panel, go to the “Appearance → Themes” tab, and deactivate the current theme (activate any other theme).
- Access the server via FTP, navigate to the “wp-content/themes” folder, and rename the folder with the old theme name to a new name.
- Return to the WordPress admin panel and go to the “Appearance → Editor” tab.
- Select your theme for editing and click the “Select” button:
- Open the “style.css” file and change the value of “Theme Name” to the new name. Save your changes.
- In the “Appearance → Themes” tab, activate the new theme. First, activate the parent theme, then activate the theme you renamed.
Option 2:
This option is simple but does not always work (remember to back up before starting):
- Open the “style.css” file of the current theme and change the value of “Theme Name” to the new name.
- If desired, you can rename the theme folder (not mandatory, but it makes it easier to navigate later if you have multiple theme folders).
- In the “Appearance → Themes” tab, activate the theme with the new name.
SEO Specialist Tip: The name of the theme does not affect the site’s SEO performance. Theme names usually come in three types:
- A downloaded for free or purchased theme has a name assigned by the developer (this name will appear in the source code of many other sites);
- The theme was developed and named by a web studio and is replicated for clients (the name may appear in the source code of other sites);
- The theme is developed and named specifically for the client (the name resonates with the brand and/or domain and does not appear in the source code of other sites).
Usually, the theme name is changed to personalize the site more. This fact alone does not have a positive impact on the site’s promotion.
