Former name to cause a stir (6)
I believe the answer is:
excite
'cause a stir' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'former name' is the wordplay.
'former' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'name' becomes 'cite' (cite can mean to name or list).
'ex'+'cite'='EXCITE'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for excite that I've seen before include "Cause strong feelings in" , "cause a stir" , "Stir up, stimulate" , "Arouse, make eager" , "Thrill" .)