The next version of dplyr will support an improved version of select that also incorporates renaming:
> mtcars2 <- select( mtcars, disp2 = disp )
> head( mtcars2 )
disp2
Mazda RX4 160
Mazda RX4 Wag 160
Datsun 710 108
Hornet 4 Drive 258
Hornet Sportabout 360
Valiant 225
> changes( mtcars, mtcars2 )
Changed variables:
old new
disp 0x105500400
disp2 0x105500400
Changed attributes:
old new
names 0x106d2cf50 0x106d28a98