I use a rename script called 'cometRename' it'll rename anything you can select, and has options for numbering, adding suffix/prefix, etc. It's old but still works fine.
No need for scripts! Often Unknown Maya trick #47: Top right corner of your status bar where the Absolute Transform input box lives is actually a dropdown menu. There's a Quick Rename tool there. Scroll to the bottom of the page:…
Thanks for the information guys love this forum (I always forget about that rename box). In the end as suggested I used search and replace to clean the junk named nodes then a postfix prefix mel to change the node names to what I want e.g. plastic_mib_amb_occlusion link to the mel in case anyone needs it.…