How to change a hostname in Linux

Use the hostnamectl command to change your hostname on a Linux computer.

To change your hostname on a Linux computer, use the hostnamectl command.

For example, to change your computer's hostname to myhostname:

$ sudo hostnamectl --static \
--transient \
--pretty \
myhostname

What is a hostname?

Computers have network addresses, but they're usually difficult for humans to remember. Hostnames are labels intended to help humans refer to a specific computer. Instead of navigating to 93.184.216.34, for instance, you navigate to www . example . com.

Read Alan Formy-Duval's article What's in a hostname? for more information about hostnames.