Countries That Changed Their Names: From Ceylon to Sri Lanka, Siam to Thailand
Countries That Changed Their Names: From Ceylon to Sri Lanka, Siam to Thailand
Quick quiz: What do Turkey, Burma, Ceylon, Rhodesia, and Swaziland have in common?
Answer: None of them exist anymore — at least, not by those names.
Countries change their names more often than you might think. Since World War II, over 30 nations have officially renamed themselves. Some rejected colonial names imposed by European powers. Others marked revolutionary political transformations. A few simply wanted the world to pronounce their names correctly.
Let's explore every major country name change in modern history — why they happened, when, and what the countries are called today.
🤔 Why Do Countries Change Their Names?
Country name changes fall into several categories:
1. Decolonization
Rejecting names given by colonial powers and reclaiming indigenous identity.
Examples: Ceylon → Sri Lanka, Rhodesia → Zimbabwe, Gold Coast → Ghana
2. Political Transformation
New governments mark a break with the past through renaming.
Examples: Persia → Iran, Burma → Myanmar, Zaire → DR Congo
3. National Identity
Asserting cultural pride or correcting foreign mispronunciations.
Examples: Turkey → Türkiye, Swaziland → Eswatini, Czechia adoption
4. Resolving Disputes
Ending conflicts with neighbors over name ownership.
Example: Macedonia → North Macedonia
5. Geographical Accuracy
Names that better reflect the country's reality.
Example: Tanganyika + Zanzibar → Tanzania
🌍 Complete List: Countries That Changed Their Names
Here's every significant country name change in modern history:
| Current Name | Former Name | Year Changed | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇷 Türkiye | Turkey | 2022 | National identity |
| 🇸🇿 Eswatini | Swaziland | 2018 | Indigenous name |
| 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | Macedonia/FYROM | 2019 | Greece dispute |
| 🇨🇿 Czechia | Czech Republic | 2016 | Simpler branding |
| 🇨🇻 Cabo Verde | Cape Verde | 2013 | Portuguese preference |
| 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste | East Timor | 2002 | Independence |
| 🇲🇲 Myanmar | Burma | 1989 | Military government |
| 🇨🇬 Republic of Congo | French Congo | 1960 | Decolonization |
| 🇨🇩 DR Congo | Zaire | 1997 | Regime change |
| 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | Upper Volta | 1984 | Revolutionary identity |
| 🇧🇯 Benin | Dahomey | 1975 | Political transformation |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | Ceylon | 1972 | Decolonization |
| 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | Rhodesia | 1980 | Independence |
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | Northern Rhodesia | 1964 | Decolonization |
| 🇲🇼 Malawi | Nyasaland | 1964 | Decolonization |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | Tanganyika + Zanzibar | 1964 | Merger |
| 🇧🇼 Botswana | Bechuanaland | 1966 | Decolonization |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | Gold Coast | 1957 | Independence |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | East Pakistan | 1971 | Independence |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | Siam | 1939 | National identity |
| 🇮🇷 Iran | Persia | 1935 | National identity |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd | 1932 | Unification |
| 🇧🇾 Belarus | Byelorussia | 1991 | Independence |
| 🇲🇩 Moldova | Moldavia | 1991 | Independence |
| 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan | Kirghizia | 1991 | Independence |
| 🇸🇷 Suriname | Dutch Guiana | 1975 | Independence |
| 🇬🇾 Guyana | British Guiana | 1966 | Independence |
| 🇧🇿 Belize | British Honduras | 1973 | Pre-independence |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Dutch East Indies | 1945 | Independence |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | Kampuchea | Various | Political changes |
Now let's explore the most fascinating cases in detail.
🇹🇷 Turkey → Türkiye (2022)
The Most Recent Change
In June 2022, the United Nations officially registered Turkey's new name: Türkiye (pronounced "tur-key-YAY"). This was the first major country renaming since Eswatini in 2018.
Why the Change?
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government gave several reasons:
- 1Brand confusion — "Turkey" is also a bird, leading to unflattering associations
- 2National pride — Türkiye is how Turkish people actually say their country's name
- 3Cultural assertion — Reclaiming the authentic Turkish identity
- 4SEO and marketing — Searching "Turkey" returned results about the bird and Thanksgiving
The Backstory
The name "Turkey" comes from Medieval Latin "Turchia" — literally "Land of the Turks." Europeans started using it in the 12th century. But in the Turkish language, the country has always been Türkiye.
The change followed a 2021 directive requiring "Made in Türkiye" on all exports, replacing "Made in Turkey."
Current Status
| Organization | Uses |
|---|---|
| United Nations | Türkiye ✓ |
| NATO | Türkiye ✓ |
| Most governments | Still transitioning |
| Media (international) | Mixed usage |
| Everyday English | Still mostly "Turkey" |
Quiz fact: Türkiye was the first country to officially request a UN name change specifically to control its international branding.
🇸🇿 Swaziland → Eswatini (2018)
Reclaiming the Kingdom's True Name
On his 50th birthday — which also marked 50 years of Swazi independence — King Mswati III announced that Swaziland would henceforth be known as Eswatini.
What Does Eswatini Mean?
"Eswatini" translates to "Land of the Swazis" in the Swazi language (siSwati). It's what Swazis have always called their country.
"Swaziland," by contrast, was an English/Afrikaans colonial creation — a hybrid of the ethnic name "Swazi" and the Germanic suffix "-land."
The King's Reasoning
"We are going to remove the 'land' from our name...African countries, on getting independence, reverted to their ancient names before colonization. So from now on, the country will be referred to as the Kingdom of Eswatini."
— King Mswati III, April 19, 2018
Unique Situation
Eswatini is notable because:
- •It's Africa's last absolute monarchy
- •The king can marry multiple wives (currently 15)
- •The name change required zero legislative process — the king simply declared it
- •Both "Swaziland" and "Eswatini" were already in use domestically
Quiz fact: Eswatini is completely surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique — one of only three countries entirely surrounded by just two others.
🇲🇲 Burma → Myanmar (1989)
The Most Controversial Name Change
In 1989, the military junta ruling Burma renamed the country Myanmar, along with many cities:
- •Rangoon → Yangon
- •Pagan → Bagan
- •Moulmein → Mawlamyine
Why Is It Controversial?
The military junta (SLORC) made the change without public consultation or democratic process. Many democracy advocates — including Aung San Suu Kyi at the time — rejected the new name as illegitimate.
The linguistic difference is subtle:
- •Burma — Colloquial, everyday speech
- •Myanmar — Literary, formal register
Both derive from the same root word for the majority Bamar ethnic group.
The Political Divide
| Uses "Myanmar" | Uses "Burma" |
|---|---|
| United Nations | United States (officially until 2016) |
| Most countries | Some pro-democracy activists |
| ASEAN nations | BBC (with explanation) |
| Current government | Opposition groups |
The United States officially used "Burma" until 2016 as a form of protest against the military government. President Obama was the first sitting US president to use "Myanmar" during a 2012 visit.
Quiz fact: Journalist organizations are split — the AP uses Myanmar, but the BBC uses Burma (with Myanmar in parentheses).
🇱🇰 Ceylon → Sri Lanka (1972)
Reclaiming the Resplendent Island
For centuries, Europeans knew this island by various names:
- •Taprobane (Greeks)
- •Serendib (Arabs — origin of "serendipity")
- •Ceilão (Portuguese)
- •Ceylon (British adaptation)
In 1972, following a new republican constitution, Ceylon became Sri Lanka.
What Does Sri Lanka Mean?
"Sri Lanka" combines:
- •Sri — "Resplendent" or "Holy" (honorific from Sanskrit)
- •Lanka — The ancient indigenous name for the island
The name Lanka appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where it's the island kingdom of the demon king Ravana. The name is at least 2,000 years old.
The Change Process
- •1948: Ceylon gains independence from Britain
- •1956: Sinhala becomes sole official language
- •1972: Republic of Sri Lanka declared
- •1978: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (current)
Despite the official change, "Ceylon" persists in some contexts:
- •Ceylon tea — Still the preferred marketing name for exports
- •Bank of Ceylon — Major state bank
- •Ceylon Electricity Board — National utility
Quiz fact: The word "serendipity" comes from "Serendip," the Persian/Arabic name for Ceylon, coined by Horace Walpole in 1754.
🇿🇼 Rhodesia → Zimbabwe (1980)
From Colonial Founder to Ancient Kingdom
"Rhodesia" was named after Cecil Rhodes, the British mining magnate and imperialist who founded the territory. The name honored a man synonymous with colonial exploitation.
In 1980, following independence and the end of white-minority rule, the country became Zimbabwe.
What Does Zimbabwe Mean?
"Zimbabwe" means "House of Stone" in Shona:
- •Zimba — Houses
- •Mabwe — Stones
It refers to the Great Zimbabwe — a medieval stone city that was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (1220–1450). These ruins prove sophisticated African civilization existed centuries before European contact.
The Independence Story
| Year | Status |
|---|---|
| 1895 | "Rhodesia" named for Cecil Rhodes |
| 1965 | White minority declares independence from UK |
| 1970 | Declares itself "Republic of Rhodesia" |
| 1979 | Brief "Zimbabwe Rhodesia" transition |
| 1980 | Republic of Zimbabwe — full independence with majority rule |
The name change symbolized a complete rejection of colonial identity.
Quiz fact: Great Zimbabwe could house 18,000 people at its peak — making it one of the largest structures in sub-Saharan Africa.
🇨🇩 Zaire → Democratic Republic of Congo (1997)
The Name That Didn't Stick
One of Africa's largest countries has had multiple names:
| Period | Name | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1885 | Various kingdoms | Including Kongo, Lunda, Luba |
| 1885–1908 | Congo Free State | King Leopold II's personal property |
| 1908–1960 | Belgian Congo | Belgian colonial rule |
| 1960–1971 | Republic of Congo | Independence |
| 1971–1997 | Zaire | Mobutu's "authenticity" campaign |
| 1997–present | Democratic Republic of the Congo | Mobutu overthrown |
The Zaire Experiment
Dictator Mobutu Sese Seko renamed the country "Zaire" in 1971 as part of his "authenticity" campaign, which also required citizens to adopt African names and banned Western clothing.
"Zaire" comes from the Portuguese corruption of the Kikongo word Nzadi ("the river that swallows all rivers") — the same root as "Congo."
When Mobutu was overthrown in 1997, the new government immediately changed the name back to Congo — specifically the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to distinguish it from the neighboring Republic of the Congo.
The Two Congos Confusion
Yes, there are two Congos:
| Country | Capital | Former Colonial Power |
|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of Congo | Kinshasa | Belgium |
| 🇨🇬 Republic of Congo | Brazzaville | France |
They're named after the same river and sit on opposite banks. Kinshasa and Brazzaville are the closest capital cities in the world (4 km apart).
Quiz fact: Mobutu also renamed himself — his full adopted name was "Mobutu Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga," meaning "The all-powerful warrior who, because of his endurance and inflexible will to win, goes from conquest to conquest, leaving fire in his wake."
🇹🇭 Siam → Thailand (1939)
The Land of the Free
In 1939, Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram changed Siam to Thailand as part of a nationalistic modernization campaign.
What's the Difference?
- •Siam — Traditional name of unknown origin (possibly from Sanskrit or Mon-Khmer)
- •Thailand — "Land of the Thai" or "Land of the Free"
"Thai" itself means "free" in the Thai language — so Thailand literally means "Land of the Free."
The Name Flip-Flopped
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| Ancient–1939 | Siam |
| 1939–1945 | Thailand |
| 1945–1949 | Siam (briefly restored) |
| 1949–present | Thailand |
After WWII (during which Thailand allied with Japan), the name briefly reverted to Siam. In 1949, Thailand was restored and has remained since.
Why Some Prefer "Siam"
The name "Thailand" emphasizes the majority Thai ethnic group, which some argue marginalizes minorities like:
- •Lao
- •Malay
- •Khmer
- •Various hill tribes
"Siam" was more ethnically neutral, referring to the kingdom rather than one ethnic group.
Quiz fact: Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonized by a European power — living up to its "Land of the Free" name.
🇮🇷 Persia → Iran (1935)
The Land of the Aryans
In 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi requested that foreign nations use Iran instead of Persia in official correspondence.
What Do the Names Mean?
- •Persia — From Greek "Persis," referring to the Pars/Fars region (modern Fars province)
- •Iran — "Land of the Aryans" from Old Persian "Aryanam"
Iranians have always called their country "Iran" domestically. "Persia" was the Greek exonym that stuck in Western languages.
Why the Change?
Reza Shah's motivations were complex:
- 1Modernization — Aligning with Germany (then seen as a modern power)
- 2National pride — Using the authentic indigenous name
- 3"Aryan" connection — The term "Iran" shares a root with "Aryan," which had prestige in 1930s nationalism
Cultural Legacy
Despite the official change, "Persian" survives in:
- •Persian language (also called Farsi)
- •Persian cat
- •Persian rug
- •Persian Gulf (disputed — some Arab states prefer "Arabian Gulf")
In 1959, the Shah announced both names were acceptable, but "Iran" remains the official term.
Quiz fact: The 1935 name change was partly influenced by the Iranian ambassador to Germany, who was impressed by Nazi Germany's "Aryan" ideology — a connection Iran would later downplay.
🇲🇰 Macedonia → North Macedonia (2019)
The Name That Resolved a 27-Year Dispute
This is the only country name change primarily driven by a dispute with a neighbor rather than decolonization or politics.
The Problem
When Yugoslavia dissolved in 1991, one republic declared independence as the Republic of Macedonia.
Greece objected — furiously.
Why Was Greece Upset?
Macedonia is also the name of:
- •A Greek province (the largest in Greece)
- •The ancient Macedonian kingdom (Alexander the Great)
- •A historical region spanning Greece, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria
Greece argued that using "Macedonia" implied:
- 1Territorial claims on Greek Macedonia
- 2Appropriation of Greek heritage (Alexander was Greek/Macedonian)
- 3A future "Greater Macedonia" unification
The 27-Year Standoff
- •1991: Independence as "Republic of Macedonia"
- •1993: UN admits country as "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)
- •1994–2019: Greece blocks Macedonia's NATO and EU membership
- •2018: Prespa Agreement reached
- •2019: Name officially changes to North Macedonia
The Deal
Under the Prespa Agreement:
- •Greece dropped its veto on NATO/EU membership
- •North Macedonia acknowledged Greek claims to ancient Macedonian heritage
- •Citizens remain "Macedonians" with "Macedonian" language
- •The country is "North Macedonia"
Quiz fact: North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020 — finally ending the longest-running country name dispute in modern history.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic → Czechia (2016)
The Short Name Alternative
Unlike other changes, this wasn't a replacement — it was an addition. The country approved "Czechia" (pronounced "CHECK-ee-ah") as an official short-form name alongside "Czech Republic."
Why Add Another Name?
"Czech Republic" is awkward:
- •It's long (13 letters vs. 7)
- •Hard to use as an adjective ("Czech Republican"?)
- •Athletes' jerseys had "CZE" anyway
- •Other countries have short forms (France, not "French Republic")
The History
| Period | Name |
|---|---|
| 1918–1939 | Czechoslovakia (with Slovakia) |
| 1939–1945 | Nazi occupation (Bohemia and Moravia) |
| 1945–1993 | Czechoslovakia (restored) |
| 1993–present | Czech Republic / Czechia |
After the peaceful "Velvet Divorce" from Slovakia in 1993, the country needed a new name. "Czech Republic" was official, but "Czechia" existed informally.
Current Usage
| Entity | Uses |
|---|---|
| UN | Both accepted |
| NATO | Czechia |
| Olympics | Czechia |
| Most media | Czech Republic (still more common) |
| Tourism | Czechia (preferred for branding) |
Quiz fact: A 2016 survey found that 75% of Czechs had never heard of "Czechia" — but the government pushed for it anyway.
🌍 Africa's Decolonization Renamings
When African nations gained independence in the 1950s–1960s, many rejected their colonial names:
Gold Coast → Ghana (1957)
Britain named it for the gold trade. Upon independence, Kwame Nkrumah chose Ghana — the name of an ancient West African empire (though it was actually located further north).
French Sudan → Mali (1960)
Named after the Mali Empire (1235–1600), one of Africa's richest and largest empires. Mansa Musa of Mali may have been history's wealthiest person.
Northern Rhodesia → Zambia (1964)
Named after the Zambezi River. Rejected the name honoring Cecil Rhodes.
Nyasaland → Malawi (1964)
From the Maravi people who established kingdoms in the region.
Bechuanaland → Botswana (1966)
"Land of the Tswana" people. Rejected the British name.
Dahomey → Benin (1975)
The Marxist revolutionary government chose "Benin" (from the ancient Bight of Benin) to represent all ethnic groups, not just the Fon people of Dahomey.
Upper Volta → Burkina Faso (1984)
Revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara combined:
- •Burkina ("Land of Honest People" in Mossi)
- •Faso ("Fatherland" in Dioula)
The demonym "Burkinabè" uses the Fula language's "-bè" suffix.
Quiz fact: Burkina Faso's name literally means "Land of Honest People" — created by combining three different African languages.
🧠 Geography Quiz: Name Changes
Test your knowledge of country name changes:
1. What was Thailand called before 1939?
<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>
Siam — Thailand briefly reverted to Siam (1945-1949) before becoming Thailand permanently.
</details>
2. Which country changed from Zaire to its current name in 1997?
<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>
Democratic Republic of the Congo — when Mobutu was overthrown.
</details>
3. What does "Eswatini" mean in siSwati?
<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>
"Land of the Swazis" — the indigenous name that replaced colonial "Swaziland."
</details>
4. Why did Macedonia add "North" to its name?
<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>
To resolve a 27-year dispute with Greece, which has a region called Macedonia and claims the ancient Macedonian heritage.
</details>
5. What country was Ceylon renamed to, and when?
<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>
Sri Lanka, in 1972. The name means "Resplendent Island."
</details>
6. What was Zimbabwe called during white-minority rule?
<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>
Rhodesia — named after British imperialist Cecil Rhodes.
</details>
7. Which country's name change in 2022 aimed to avoid association with a bird?
<details>
<summary>Answer</summary>
Türkiye (formerly Turkey) — also to promote the authentic Turkish pronunciation.
</details>
📊 Name Changes by Category
Decolonization (Rejecting Colonial Names)
- •Gold Coast → Ghana
- •Ceylon → Sri Lanka
- •Rhodesia → Zimbabwe
- •Northern Rhodesia → Zambia
- •Nyasaland → Malawi
- •Bechuanaland → Botswana
- •British Honduras → Belize
- •Dutch Guiana → Suriname
- •British Guiana → Guyana
- •Dutch East Indies → Indonesia
Political Transformation
- •Burma → Myanmar
- •Zaire → DR Congo
- •Dahomey → Benin
- •Upper Volta → Burkina Faso
- •Kampuchea changes → Cambodia
National Identity/Branding
- •Siam → Thailand
- •Persia → Iran
- •Turkey → Türkiye
- •Swaziland → Eswatini
- •Czech Republic → Czechia (addition)
Dispute Resolution
- •Macedonia → North Macedonia
Post-Independence Identity
- •Byelorussia → Belarus
- •Moldavia → Moldova
- •Kirghizia → Kyrgyzstan
🔮 Countries That MIGHT Change Names
Western Sahara
Currently disputed territory. If independent, would likely have an indigenous Sahrawi name.
Taiwan / Republic of China
Complex political situation. Some advocate for a formal "Taiwan" identity versus "Republic of China."
Palestine
International recognition growing. Official name would likely remain, but status change could affect naming conventions.
Various Countries with Colonial-Era Names
Some scholars suggest countries like:
- •Philippines (named after Spain's King Philip II)
- •Bolivia (named after Simón Bolívar)
- •Colombia (named after Columbus)
...might eventually reconsider names honoring colonizers, though no active movements exist.
🎯 Why Name Changes Matter
Country names aren't just labels — they're statements of:
Identity
Who we are as a people, in our own words.
History
Which past we claim and which we reject.
Politics
Who has the power to define a nation.
Belonging
Which ethnic groups, languages, and cultures are centered.
When Eswatini's King Mswati III changed his country's name, he said: "Whenever we go abroad, people refer to us as Swaziland. I don't want my people to be confused about who they are."
Names matter because they shape how both citizens and the world understand a country's identity, values, and place in history.
🎮 Test Your Knowledge
Now that you know about country name changes, can you find all these countries on a blank map?
Challenge yourself with our Name All Countries Quiz and see how many you can identify — using their current names, of course!
Enjoyed this article? Explore more geographic curiosities: [Youngest Countries in the World](/blog/youngest-countries-in-the-world), [Countries That No Longer Exist](/blog/countries-that-no-longer-exist), and [Countries with the Most Borders](/blog/countries-with-the-most-borders).