Filenames to latin

What is Filenames to latin?

Filenames to latin is a specialized WordPress plugin that automatically converts non-Latin characters in uploaded filenames into clean, lowercase Latin equivalents. Developed by webvitalii, this plugin has been available for 15 years and focuses primarily on Cyrillic script sanitization, supporting Ukrainian, Russian, Belorussian, and many other languages. With 9K+ active installs and a 4.9/5 rating from 14 reviews, it has maintained a notably high satisfaction rate—93% of those ratings are five-star, with zero one-star reviews.

The plugin addresses a common pain point: filenames containing Cyrillic, Greek, or accented Latin characters often break URLs, cause 404 errors, or fail to display correctly in media libraries. Filenames to latin intercepts uploads and sanitizes them automatically. Its last update was Aug 9, 2020, and the current version is 2.7. Despite its age, the plugin continues to serve a niche but essential function for sites that handle multilingual file uploads.

Key Features of Filenames to latin

• Multi-language character sanitization – Supports Cyrillic (Ukrainian, Russian, Belorussian), German, French, Polish, Spanish, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Greek, Swedish, Finnish, Latvian, Estonian, Mongolian, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Montenegrin, and more.
• Automatic lowercase conversion – Every sanitized filename is automatically converted to lowercase, ensuring consistent URL structures and avoiding case-sensitivity issues on servers.
• Broad character mapping list – Includes over 120 specific characters, from standard Cyrillic letters (а, б, в) to Greek (α, β, γ) and accented Latin (á, é, ü, ß).
• Zero-configuration operation – Once activated, the plugin works immediately without settings pages or configuration menus.
• Media upload interception – Applies sanitization during the upload process, so filenames are cleaned before they reach your media library.
• Lightweight codebase – Requires only WordPress 3.0+ and has been tested up to WordPress 5.5.18, making it compatible with older installations.
• Open-source availability – The plugin is hosted on GitHub, allowing developers to review or extend its character mapping.

Who Should Use Filenames to latin?

This plugin is ideal for site owners who regularly upload files with non-Latin filenames. If you run a multilingual website, a blog in Ukrainian or Russian, or a store that imports product images with Cyrillic names, Filenames to latin removes the manual work of renaming each file. It is beginner-friendly—no coding or configuration is required. Just install and activate. The plugin suits both small personal blogs and larger sites with moderate upload volumes, given its 9K+ install base and 15-year track record.

The plugin also helps users who need to convert cyrillic filenames to latin wordpress without additional tools. For developers managing client sites in Eastern Europe or the Balkans, it provides a reliable, set-and-forget solution. The 93% five-star rating suggests that even non-technical users find it effective for its single purpose: sanitizing upload filenames automatically.

Installation & Setup

Installation takes two steps: upload the plugin folder to your wp-content/plugins directory, then activate it on the Plugins page. There are no settings to adjust or options to configure. Once active, every media file uploaded through WordPress will have its filename automatically sanitized to Latin characters and converted to lowercase. This simplicity makes it accessible to beginners who want to sanitize upload filenames cyrillic wordpress without touching code.

Support & Community

Support data shows a mixed picture. Over the last two months, the plugin had 0 open support threads and 0 resolved threads, resulting in a 0% resolution rate. This could indicate that users rarely encounter issues, or that support requests go unanswered. The high rating—4.9/5 from 14 reviews—suggests the plugin works reliably for most users. However, the lack of recent support activity is worth noting if you anticipate needing help. The plugin’s 15-year lifespan and consistent install count of 9K+ imply a stable, mature codebase that rarely requires troubleshooting. For users seeking a wordpress plugin sanitize filenames to latin with minimal maintenance, this remains a solid choice despite the quiet support forum.