Renaming photos during import orders the photos wrong

I’m surprised you haven’t seen that behavior before -- LR has for years imported photos in parallel, with photos getting imported out of order.

But the new forum’s AI Answers gives a pretty good explanation of the issue with good alternative workflows, as well as links to many posts about the issue:

https://community.adobe.com/search?category=Lightroom+Classic&q=import+rename+out+of+order

AI Answers

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with files being renamed out of order during import, which is a common frustration for many users of Lightroom and similar software. Here’s what’s happening and some practical ways to address it:

When you import and rename files using a sequence number (like 0001, 0002, etc.), Lightroom Classic processes imports in parallel (using multiple threads). This means files may not finish importing in the same order they appear in the import window, causing sequence-based renaming to be out of order. As a result, you might see files with unexpected numbering or suffixes like "-2" or "-3" even if you haven't set up your preset to add them. This is especially noticeable when importing large batches or files shot in quick succession, such as bursts or time-lapses. The issue can also cause confusion if you rely on sequential numbering for organization or pairing RAW and JPEG files.
Lightroom Classic Not Importing and Renaming Correctly by Capture Time importing files out of order image time stamp vs file numbering

Here are some workarounds you can try:

• Instead of using sequential numbering on import, use date-and-time-based renaming (e.g., YYYYMMDD_hhmmss). This helps keep files in order by capture time, though it may not be perfect for bursts taken in the same second, since Lightroom doesn't support fractional seconds in renaming.
• If you must use sequential numbering, import your files first without renaming, then use the Library > Rename Photos function after import. This way, you can control the order and ensure the sequence matches your intended sort (such as by capture time).
• If you want to preserve the original camera-assigned number, use the "Filename number suffix" token in your renaming preset.
• For pairing RAW and JPEG files, consider turning off file renaming or using a script to match numbers if the software's default behavior is inconsistent.
  image time stamp vs file numbering Photoshop Elements v2022 camera file import renaming should be same for .jpg and .nef. Need fix.

In summary, the out-of-order renaming is due to how the import process is handled internally. Renaming after import or using date/time-based naming are the most reliable solutions.