Npm test failing only on directory name match

Question

Global Env Setup as defined by project maintainer and staff:

1. node -v: 8.9.4
2. npm -v: 6.10.2
3. Tests build in jest
4. Vue project

Scenario:

1. I was attempting to implement eslint into a project.
2. Unexpected token import errors from npm test on all branches; Believed to be a babel error, and did attempt at a parser: "babel-eslint" option in.eslintrc`. Furthermore, attempted fix with "transform-es2015-modules-commonjs" option

3. Found a way for project to work again:

   rm -rf proj
   git clone http://proj
   mv proj foo && cd foo
   npm install
   npm test #tests pass
   

4. FAILS (with the installation and process as setup in 3):

   mv foo proj && cd proj
   npm test
   

I went as far as removing all installations of node, npm, and eslint (as well as all of my node_modules globals and reinstalling to versions mentioned above. I also looked into clearing npm cache. which npm and brew uninstall as well as brew doctor were used in the uninstalling process. I also checked for node and npm per steps defined in this SO answer

I still cannot let my project live in its correct named directory without continuing to have errors.

Obvious solution to keep working is to just rename the directory structure, but I am hoping someone has an idea as to WHY this is happening...