Changing the name of a WordPress theme can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it can be done easily and safely by creating a child theme. A child theme is a separate theme that inherits the functionality and styling of the parent theme.
By creating a child theme, you can modify the parent theme without affecting its original files. This means that you can change the name of the theme without losing any of its functionality.
By following the steps outlined below, you can easily create a child theme and modify the name of your WordPress theme to suit your needs.
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Why Use Child Themes?
I always recommend using child themes when making changes to a theme’s code.
Here are some reasons why:
1. Preserve Parent Theme
When you create a child theme, you can make changes to the theme’s code without affecting the original parent theme. This means that you can update the parent theme without losing any of your customizations. Additionally, if you make a mistake while editing the child theme, you can always revert to the parent theme.
2. Easy to Update
Using a child theme makes updating your parent theme much easier. You can update the parent theme without worrying about losing your customizations. This is because the changes you made are saved in the child theme.
3. Customization
Child themes allow you to customize your WordPress website without affecting the parent theme’s code. You can add custom CSS, functions, and templates to your child theme without worrying about the parent theme’s updates.
4. Portable and Replicable
Child themes are portable and replicable. This means that you can use the same child theme on different WordPress websites. You can also share your child theme with others, which can save time and effort.
5. Keep Customization Separate
Using a child theme keeps your customization separate from the parent theme functions. This means that you can easily switch to a different parent theme without losing your customizations.
If you want to change your Theme Image along with your Theme Title name, then check this blog, where i have added step-by-step details.
How to Create a Child Theme on your WordPress Site?
Here are the steps.
Step 1: Create a New Folder
The first step in creating a child theme is to create a new folder in your WordPress themes directory. You can access this directory by going to wp-content/themes/ in your WordPress installation.
Create a new folder with a name that describes your child theme.
For example, if your parent theme is called “Twenty Twenty-One,” you can name your child theme “Twenty Twenty-One Child.”
Step 2: Create style.css File
The next step is to create a style.css file in your child theme folder. This file will contain the information about your child theme, such as the theme name, author, and description.
You can use the following code as a template:
/*
Theme Name: Twenty Twenty-One Child
Theme URI: https://example.com/twenty-twenty-one-child/
Description: Child theme for Twenty Twenty-One
Author: John Doe
Author URI: https://example.com/
Template: twentytwentyone
Version: 1.0.0
License: GNU General Public License v2 or later
License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
Text Domain: twenty-twenty-one-child
*/
Make sure to replace the information in the code with your information.
The “Template” & the “Theme Name” line should contain the name of your parent theme.
Similarly, you can customize any details you like from here, be it Website URL, Author etc
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Step 3: Create functions.php File
The next step is to create a functions.php file in your child theme folder. This file will contain any custom code that you want to add to your child theme.
For example, if you want to add a custom widget to your website, you can add the code to this file.
Step 4: Activate Child Theme
The final step is to activate your child theme. You can do this by going to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard and selecting your child theme. Once you activate your child theme, any modifications that you make to your website will be saved in the child theme folder and will not affect the parent theme.
In conclusion, creating a child theme is a great way to change the name of a WordPress theme. By following these simple steps, you can create a child theme and make modifications to your website without affecting the parent theme.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I change the theme name without using a child theme?
A: Yes, it is possible to change the theme name without using a child theme. However, it is not recommended, as it can cause issues when updating the theme in the future. Changing the theme name using a child theme is a safer and more effective method.
Q: Can I change the theme name after customizing it?
A: Yes, you can change the theme name even after customizing it. However, you need to make sure that you update all the references to the old theme name in your child theme files. Failure to do so can cause issues with your website.
Q: Can I use the same child theme for multiple parent themes?
A: No, you cannot use the same child theme for multiple parent themes. Each child theme is designed to work with a specific parent theme. If you want to use a child theme with a different parent theme, you need to create a new child theme.
Q: Can I use a child theme to change other aspects of the parent theme?
A: Yes, you can use a child theme to change other aspects of the parent theme, such as the layout, colors, fonts, and more. However, you need to have a good understanding of HTML, CSS, and PHP to make these changes.
Q: Will changing the theme name affect my website’s SEO?
A: No, changing the theme name will not affect your website’s SEO. However, if you change the theme’s URL structure or permalinks, it can affect your website’s SEO. Make sure you update your permalinks after changing the theme name.
In conclusion, changing a WordPress theme name using a child theme is a simple and effective method. However, you need to make sure you follow the correct steps and update all the references to the old theme name in your child theme files.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me.
