how to change bluetooth keyboard name in catalina?

I'm posting this as an answer because the original question was closed, A couple support people asked the original poster to try something and there wasn't a followup.

Anyway, it appears there is an often-reported problem with changing the name of a bluetooth keyboard (and maybe a mouse?) on Catalina. Symptom is the mac appears to allow the name to be changed, but upon going back to the bluetooth menu the name has reverted.

So, the support guys suggested trying to do the change in safe mode. And it worked for me. specifically, with my A1314, I did the following:

1. booted into safe mode (holding shift while powering on)
2. went to the bluetooth symbol on the top line. keyboard was not connected to I clicked on connect and it did.
3. opened bluetooth preferences and changed the name.
4. closed it, rebooted.
5. found the name was now changed.