Rename Columns of a Data Frame in R Programming – rename() Function

Last Updated : 20 Dec, 2023

In this article, we will discuss how to Rename the Columns of a Data Frame in R Programming Language using the rename() Function.

rename function in R

rename() function in R Programming Language is used to rename the column names of a data frame, based on the older names.

Syntax:

rename(x, names)

Parameters:

x: Data frame

names: Old name and new name

Rename a Data Frame using rename function in R

R

# R program to rename a Data Frame 
     
# Adding Package 
df <- library(plyr) 
     
# Creating a Data Frame 
df<-data.frame(row1 = 0:2, row2 = 3:5, row3 = 6:8) 
print("Original Data Frame") 
print(df) 
print("Modified Data Frame") 
     
# Renaming Data Frame 
rename(df, c("row1"="one", "row2"="two", "row3"="three")) 

Output:

[1] "Original Data Frame"
  row1 row2 row3
1    0    3    6
2    1    4    7
3    2    5    8

[1] "Modified Data Frame"
  one two three
1   0   3     6
2   1   4     7
3   2   5     8

Modify names of a data frame using rename function in R

R

# R program to modify names of a data frame 
 
# Loading library 
df <- library(plyr) 
 
# Creating a data frame 
df = data.frame( 
"col1" = c("abc", "def", "ghi"), 
"col2" = c("R", "Python", "Java"), 
"col3" = c(22, 25, 45) 
) 
df 
 
# Calling rename() function 
rename(df, c("col1" = "Name", "col2" = "Language", "col3" = "Age")) 

Output:

  col1   col2 col3
1  abc      R   22
2  def Python   25
3  ghi   Java   45

  Name Language Age
1  abc        R  22
2  def   Python  25
3  ghi     Java  45

Change Multiple Columns using rename function in R

R

#load iris dataset
data(iris)
# print top records of the dataset
head(iris)
# rename the column names
rename_columns<-rename(iris,c('Sepal.Length'='iris1','Sepal.Width'='iris2',
                                 'Petal.Length'='iris3','Petal.Width'='iris4'))
# Print renames columns names
head(rename_columns)A

Output:

  Sepal.Length Sepal.Width Petal.Length Petal.Width Species
1          5.1         3.5          1.4         0.2  setosa
2          4.9         3.0          1.4         0.2  setosa
3          4.7         3.2          1.3         0.2  setosa
4          4.6         3.1          1.5         0.2  setosa
5          5.0         3.6          1.4         0.2  setosa
6          5.4         3.9          1.7         0.4  setosa
  iris1 iris2 iris3 iris4 Species
1   5.1   3.5   1.4   0.2  setosa
2   4.9   3.0   1.4   0.2  setosa
3   4.7   3.2   1.3   0.2  setosa
4   4.6   3.1   1.5   0.2  setosa
5   5.0   3.6   1.4   0.2  setosa
6   5.4   3.9   1.7   0.4  setosa

rename function in R examples provided a practical approach to manage column names in a way that facilitates data analysis and interpretation. Whether we are dealing with an existing dataset or creating a new one, thoughtful column naming is essential for maintaining code readability and ensuring that your data is effectively communicated.