Skip to main content

Rename Commits

Sometimes, you might make a commit in Git but realize the message is wrong or unclear. This guide will help you rename a commit message easily.

🔄 Rename the Most Recent Commit​

If you just made the commit and want to change its message:

git commit --amend -m "New commit message"

👉 This replaces the last commit message with your new one.

🚀 If You Already Pushed the Commit​

You’ll need to force push:

git push --force

⚠️ Force pushing can overwrite commits on GitHub, so only do this if you're sure.

🔁 Rename an Older Commit​

If the commit you want to rename is not the most recent one:

1. Start an Interactive Rebase​

Example: To go back 3 commits:

git rebase -i HEAD~3

2. Mark the Commit for Renaming​

You’ll see something like this:

pick 123abc First commit
pick 456def Second commit
pick 789ghi Third commit

➡️ Change pick to reword on the commit you want to rename:

pick 123abc First commit
reword 456def Second commit
pick 789ghi Third commit

Then save and close the editor.

3. Edit the Commit Message​

Git will now ask you to change the message for the commit you marked. Type the new message, save, and close.

🛠 Push the Changes​

If you've already pushed these commits before, you must force push:

git push --force

⚠️ Important Notes​

  • Force pushing can affect other team members. Avoid it on shared branches like main or master.
  • Always double-check the history after rebasing using:
git log --oneline

✅ Summary​

TaskCommand
Rename last commitgit commit --amend -m "New message"
Rename older commitgit rebase -i HEAD~N → change pick to reword
Push after renamegit push --force

Happy committing! 🎉