Can I change the category name?

I want to change one category's name, because the current one doesn't fit well.

But will Google penalize me, as the link name is changed accordingly?

 

No ...

One more thing If you want to change it in URL just do 301 redirection of old to new URL

 

You should not get any penalties, just do as jimmybrion said about the redirects.

 

What is your permalink structure like? Does it include the category name?

 

There are no any big issue for this kind of changes, just do search engine friendly 301 redirects from old to new URL.

 

yes 301 search engine friendly url redirection would be better option, old page to new page.

 

Thanks a lot for all of you!

Could you help explain: 301 search engine friendly url redirection?

I am using wordpress, by the way. Thanks again.

 

You can apply a permanent redirect(301 redirect) so you can do easily a change and google will not penalize your web-page.

 

Hello all!

Please kindly advise me how to do 301 redirection?

Thanks a lot!

 

301 redirection is a perfect way for you.