Why Do Countries Change Their Names? The Fascinating Stories Behind 10 Nations
September 1, 2026: A country’s name may appear permanent, but history shows that national names can change for many reasons. Independence, political transformation, cultural identity, colonial history and even attempts to revive ancient traditions have all influenced how countries are officially known today.
Here are some fascinating examples that explain why nations have changed their names.
1. India to Bharat
India has historically been known by more than one name, including Bharat. The name Bharat has ancient roots in Indian texts and traditions, while “India” developed from the historical use of the name associated with the Indus River.
The coexistence of the names reflects India’s exceptionally long and diverse historical evolution.
2. Ceylon to Sri Lanka
The island nation formerly known internationally as Ceylon officially adopted the name Sri Lanka in 1972.
The change reflected an effort to move away from a colonial-era identity and emphasize the country’s own historical and cultural character.
3. Burma to Myanmar
Burma’s official English name was changed to Myanmar in 1989.
The change remains politically significant because different governments and organizations have used the two names differently. “Myanmar” is the country’s official name.
4. Siam to Thailand
Thailand was formerly known as Siam.
The country adopted “Thailand” as its official name in the 20th century, with the new name carrying the meaning associated with the “land of the Thai.”
5. Persia to Iran
The name Persia was widely used internationally for the country now called Iran.
In 1935, the Iranian government requested that foreign countries use “Iran,” a name rooted in the country’s own historical terminology.
Persia, however, remains widely used when discussing the country’s ancient civilization, culture and historical empires.
6. Holland and the Netherlands
“Holland” is commonly used to refer to the entire country, but technically it refers to two provinces: North Holland and South Holland.
The country’s official name is the Netherlands. The government has increasingly promoted the official name to present a more accurate national identity internationally.
7. Macedonia to North Macedonia
The country formerly known as the Republic of Macedonia changed its official name to Republic of North Macedonia in 2019.
The change followed a long-running dispute with Greece, whose northern region is also called Macedonia.
The agreement helped remove a major obstacle to the country’s closer integration with Western institutions.
8. Swaziland to Eswatini
In 2018, Swaziland officially changed its name to Eswatini.
King Mswati III announced the change during celebrations marking the country’s 50th anniversary of independence.
The name Eswatini reflects the country’s Swazi identity and is derived from the local language.
9. Upper Volta to Burkina Faso
The West African country formerly known as Upper Volta became Burkina Faso in 1984.
The new name was intended to represent a new national identity following the political changes of the period.
The words come from local languages and are commonly translated as conveying the idea of “land of upright people.”
10. Holland’s neighbour: Czechoslovakia to the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Not every name change creates a new name for the same country.
In 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully separated into two independent states: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
This event, often called the “Velvet Divorce,” demonstrated how political and national identities can reshape the map without a major war.
Why do countries change names?
There is rarely just one reason.
A country may change its name to:
- Remove a colonial association
- Reflect an indigenous or historical identity
- Mark independence or political transformation
- Resolve an international dispute
- Separate from another country
- Promote a new national identity
Names therefore tell us much more than geography. They can reveal the political struggles, cultural traditions and historical experiences that shaped a nation.
The Knowledge Hub takeaway
The next time you see a country with an unfamiliar name, it may be worth asking one simple question:
“What happened before this country was called that?”
The answer can lead to centuries of history, political change and cultural transformation.
A country’s name is not merely a label on a map—it can be a small window into its entire history.
