Direct answer

Change the level-name setting and matching world folders while the server is fully stopped. A display name shown by a plugin is a separate setting.

Recommended procedure

  1. Identify the primary world name in server.properties and any custom world manager configuration.
  2. Back up all dimensions and plugin data. Stop the server and verify no Java process still has the files open.
  3. Rename the primary world directory to the intended new name and update level-name; if your server stores Nether/End separately, check and rename their related directories using the software’s actual layout.
  4. Review plugin files that store a world name, such as portals, warps, claims and spawn configurations.

What to do next

Start the server and check whether it loaded your old world; if a new empty world appears, stop and revert instead of copying files into a running world.

How to verify the result

Check old player builds and coordinates, Nether/End portals, claim boundaries and any world-specific permission rules.

Version and compatibility notes

Changing level-name alone without renaming the old folder often generates a new world. Vanilla/Paper directory layouts are not interchangeable.

Official references

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