How to change your hostname on Linux

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. For more information about hostnames, read Alan Formy-Duval's article [What's in a hostname?](LINK TO ALAN ARTICLE).