diff --git a/mercurial/bookmarks.py b/mercurial/bookmarks.py
--- a/mercurial/bookmarks.py
+++ b/mercurial/bookmarks.py
@@ -705,3 +705,24 @@ def delete(repo, tr, names):
             deactivate(repo)
         del marks[mark]
     marks.recordchange(tr)
+
+def rename(repo, tr, old, new, force=False, inactive=False):
+    """rename a bookmark from old to new
+
+    If force is specified, then the new name can overwrite an existing
+    bookmark.
+
+    If inactive is specified, then do not activate the new bookmark.
+
+    Raises an abort error if old is not in the bookmark store.
+    """
+    marks = repo._bookmarks
+    mark = checkformat(repo, new)
+    if old not in marks:
+        raise error.Abort(_("bookmark '%s' does not exist") % old)
+    marks.checkconflict(mark, force)
+    marks[mark] = marks[old]
+    if repo._activebookmark == old and not inactive:
+        activate(repo, mark)
+    del marks[old]
+    marks.recordchange(tr)
diff --git a/mercurial/commands.py b/mercurial/commands.py
--- a/mercurial/commands.py
+++ b/mercurial/commands.py
@@ -982,15 +982,7 @@ def bookmark(ui, repo, *names, **opts):
                     raise error.Abort(_("new bookmark name required"))
                 elif len(names) > 1:
                     raise error.Abort(_("only one new bookmark name allowed"))
-                mark = bookmarks.checkformat(repo, names[0])
-                if rename not in marks:
-                    raise error.Abort(_("bookmark '%s' does not exist")
-                                      % rename)
-                marks.checkconflict(mark, force)
-                marks[mark] = marks[rename]
-                if repo._activebookmark == rename and not inactive:
-                    bookmarks.activate(repo, mark)
-                del marks[rename]
+                bookmarks.rename(repo, tr, rename, names[0], force, inactive)
             elif names:
                 tr = repo.transaction('bookmark')
                 newact = None