Nomina

Nomina is a free desktop batch renamer for files and folders. It is best for users who need precise, repeatable naming rules on their own computers, especially when a preview and safety checks matter. The trade-off is a desktop-only workflow rather than a browser or API service.

Overview

Nomina combines a broad rule engine with controls designed to prevent accidental changes. It runs on Windows, Linux and macOS, supports folder renaming as well as files, and does not charge for its feature set. The MIT license and source-available project also suit technically minded users who prefer an inspectable utility.

Key features

Rules can add prefixes or suffixes, replace text with optional regular expressions, remove or slice characters, change case, add numbering and alter extensions. That range handles straightforward cleanup and more exact pattern-based jobs without requiring separate tools. Recursive scanning is useful for nested collections, while filters, drag and drop and clipboard path loading make it quicker to assemble a batch.

A live preview shows proposed names before anything is altered, and renaming occurs only after an explicit commit. Nomina checks for invalid characters, conflicts and reserved names, catching common failure points before they affect a folder. Undo is available for the last rename batch, which is a useful recovery path but not a multi-step history.

Presets can be saved, imported and exported as JSON files. This makes recurring rules easier to reproduce and move between installations, although JSON-based exchange is the stated integration method rather than a connection to third-party services. Optional metadata cleanup can accompany a rename. English and Persian interfaces include right-to-left layout, and dark and light themes cover different desktop preferences. The README describes the app as having no telemetry.

Pricing

Nomina costs nothing. The free plan has no stated usage limits, no paid tiers and no trial period. That makes it suitable for personal projects, archival work and professional batches where a desktop tool is acceptable, with no seat or renewal commitment described.

Platforms

Nomina supports Windows, Linux and macOS. Prebuilt downloads cover Windows x64, Linux x64 and ARM64, and macOS Apple Silicon; the macOS build is stated to run on Intel through Rosetta 2. Source installation requires Python 3.10 or newer. Desktop requirements are Windows 10 or 11, Linux with GTK 3 and WebKit2GTK 4.1, or macOS 11 and later. Each release includes SHA256SUMS.txt for download verification.

Who it's for

Choose Nomina for local, repeatable batch renaming across desktop platforms, particularly when regex replacement, recursive folders, validation and a preview are important. It also fits Persian-speaking users who need a right-to-left interface and developers or teams that want JSON presets and an MIT-licensed project. It is less suitable when renaming must happen in a browser, through an API, or through a hosted collaboration service.

Pros and cons

• Pros: broad rule coverage, including optional regex; preview-before-commit workflow; checks for invalid names and conflicts; undo for the latest batch; JSON preset import and export; Windows, Linux and macOS support; no telemetry described; MIT license.
• Cons: undo applies only to the last batch; source use requires Python 3.10+ and platform-specific desktop dependencies; there are no stated third-party service integrations or web workflow.

Alternatives

See the File Renaming Software roundup for more choices.

Renamer.ai is the better fit when you want web or API access, Magic Folders and a desktop app, but its Starter plan limits free use to 25 renames per month and its Pro plan costs $9.95 a month.

reNamerX is another free, MIT-licensed desktop batch renamer for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Advanced Renamer suits Windows and macOS users who want an occasional personal-use free tier capped at 10,000 files and five methods per batch, with a paid Personal plan priced separately.

Bulk Renamer is a free MIT-licensed option with no account, trial or watermark.

Filera is a free MIT-licensed renamer for Linux, macOS and Windows.

PBRenamer is free GPL-3.0 software with no paid tiers or stated usage limits.

Ant Renamer is a free Windows program with source code available.

Batch File Renamer is preferable for a no-install web workflow that exports renamed copies as ZIP files.

Verdict

Nomina is a strong choice for anyone needing a capable, free desktop renamer with regex rules, validation, preview and reusable presets. Pick it when local control and cross-platform support matter; look elsewhere for web-based, API-driven or multi-step undo workflows.