16 Countries That Changed Their Names (And the Stories Behind It)
Our name is our identity; without it, we feel incomplete. The same goes for countries. Some nations have changed their names over time to better reflect their history and culture or to start fresh. These name changes often carry deep meaning, whether it’s honoring the past or shaping the future. Here are a few countries that didn’t always go by the names we know today and the reasons behind those changes.
Iran
For centuries, this Middle Eastern country was called Persia by the West, a name taken from the Greek word Persis, meaning the land of the Persians. However, locals called it Iran, a Persian word itself. In 1935, the Shah of Iran requested international nations to call it by its real name, thus reverting to Iran for official use.
Cambodia
Cambodia has undergone numerous name changes, mainly because of the divide between its western and eastern name use and the preference of the ruling power. The country has been renamed several times; the Khmer Republic, the Democratic Kampuchea, and the State of Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. Today, it is finally known as The Kingdom of Cambodia.
The Netherlands
If you’re one of many who think Holland was a country, you’re correct. It just goes by the Netherlands now. The informal name Holland actually refers to a region in the Netherlands and the multiple use of the word in English, Dutch, and other languages. However, most citizens were getting tired of the two names getting mixed up. In 2020, the Dutch government officially dropped the name Holland to support the country.
Sri Lanka
For decades, Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon, a name derived from its British colonial roots. In 1948, Sri Lanka moved toward independence and changed its name to the Dominion of Ceylon. Naturally, most people weren’t in favor of continuing with Ceylon, but they stuck with it until a few decades later, in 1972, when it officially changed to Sri Lanka.
Eswatini
This Southern African country typically flies under the radar, so most people didn’t even know it went by a different name until 2018. This happened because the nation was dubbed Swaziland but was often mixed up with Switzerland. Eswatini means ‘land of the Swazi’ in the native language, so people were already using it.
Democratic Republic Of The Congo
The DRC has had quite a few names, but up until recently, it was called the Republic of Zaire. The name Congo was pretty standard since the country runs by the Congo River. Still, it wasn’t until a few political mishaps and a major upheaval that the new president took over and reversed the name change, renaming it back to the DRC.
Thailand
Thailand had always been known as Siam and was named officially after King Mongkut. However, in 1939, Siam was changed to Thailand, initially for international favor during the Second World War. Despite being briefly changed to Siam in 1946, Thailand returned in 1948 and has remained the same.
Ireland
After gaining independence from the U.K., Ireland was named the Irish Free State. It remained so until 1937 when a newly formed constitution gave it its name. Of course, we all know the tall tales of the Irish, but this name change is far more symbolic; it represents Ireland becoming its sovereign nation and developing a solid identity.
Zimbabwe
Rhodesia remained on the map for a while when the word Zimbabwe initially arose in the 1960s. Since Rhodesia honored a strong supporter of the country’s colonization, not many were in favor of continuing it. After independence, the word Zimbabwe became increasingly common and was officially moved to name the country.
The Czech Republic
Czechia, or the Czech Republic, was once known as Czechoslovakia, a much larger, combined state. In 1992, Czechoslovakia was dissolved and split into two independent states; the first became the Czech Republic. Weirdly enough, the name must have been hard to pronounce or carry since the government requested to shorten it to Czechia in 2016.
Tanzania
In 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form Tanzania. This move was aimed at strengthening the political and economic stability in the area. Today, Tanzania stands as a beacon of unity and diversity in East Africa, famous for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes like Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti National Park.
North Macedonia
Sometimes, you hope a name change can take you places. Macedonia and Greece were in a long-drawn dispute because the latter had a region with the same name, so Greece wanted Macedonia to change its name. Macedonia stuck to its guns until NATO membership tempted it, and it quickly added North to the name.
Bangladesh
In 1971, East Pakistan gained independence from West Pakistan after a brutal conflict. This struggle for independence led to the birth of a new nation: Bangladesh. The name change and newfound status highlighted the distinct cultural, linguistic, and political identities that set East Pakistan apart. This historic event marked the conclusion of the Bangladesh Liberation War, a moment that reshaped the region and its people’s future.
Ethiopia
In 1974, Abyssinia changed its name to Ethiopia, reconnecting with its ancient heritage and historic kingdom. This move emphasized the country’s rich cultural background and long history. Known as one of the oldest nations in the world, Ethiopia adopted the new name to reflect its proud past.
Jordan
Jordan was once called Transjordan until 1949, when it declared independence and rebranded itself as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan after capturing the West Bank in the Arab-Israeli War. This new name wasn’t just about a fresh start; it was a proud declaration of Jordan’s newfound autonomy and a nod to its royal lineage.
Ghana
Ghana was known as the Gold Coast until 1957. This shift wasn’t just about a new name; it was about celebrating independence and shaking off the remnants of colonial rule. The name Ghana represents the country’s rich heritage and the unity of its people, who are proudly embracing their own culture and history.
This article was inspired by Unacademy and India Today and first appeared on Rbitaliablog.
