Sep 6, 2023
Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, made an official declaration to change the country's name from Turkey to Turkiye. This change aimed to better represent Turkey's rich culture, values, and civilization on the global stage, emphasising its unique identity.
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In April 2016, the Czech Republic streamlined its name to Czechia. This move was motivated by a desire for simplicity, making it easier for the nation to be recognized in sporting events and international marketing efforts.
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The African nation of Swaziland embraced its local heritage by renaming itself Eswatini, which means 'The Land of Swazis.' This change eliminated confusion with Switzerland and aligned with the country's indigenous language and culture.
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In January 2020, The Netherlands decided on a name change to shift the focus away from Holland for promotional purposes. This transition reflected the nation's aspiration to project itself as an open, inventive, and inclusive country.
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To join NATO and distinguish itself from Greece, which also has a region named Macedonia, the Republic of Macedonia became the Republic of North Macedonia in February 2019, resolving a longstanding diplomatic issue.
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According to reports, Sri Lanka adopted a new name in 1972 to distance itself from its colonial past. In 2011, the country officially replaced the former colonial name "Ceylon" in government usage.
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In 1937, Ireland adopted a new constitution, renaming itself Ireland and officially becoming a republic, shedding its earlier association with British colonial rule.
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Cape Verde embraced the full Portuguese spelling in 2013, becoming the Republic of Cabo Verde to honour its official language and eliminate linguistic discrepancies.
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Siam, rooted in Sanskrit, was replaced by Thailand in 1939. The country briefly reverted to Siam between 1946 and 1948 before officially becoming the Kingdom of Thailand, a name it retains to this day, reflecting its cultural heritage and identity.
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In 1989, Myanmar replaced Burma as the country's official name, reflecting linguistic accuracy despite some ongoing global usage of the older name, a change made to acknowledge its diverse ethnic groups.
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Cambodia has undergone various name changes over the years, reflecting its complex history. It transitioned through names such as the Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, State of Cambodia, and finally, the Kingdom of Cambodia, embodying its evolving political landscape.
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The Democratic Republic of Congo has seen multiple name changes, evolving from Congo Free State to Belgian Congo, Congo-Leopoldville, Republic of Congo, Republic of Zaire, and finally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997, reflecting its turbulent history.
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Iran transitioned from Persia to Iran in 1935, altering how the country and its citizens were identified. The interchangeability of Persia and Iran continues to be a topic of debate among Iranians, highlighting the complexities of national identity.
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