10 countries that changed their names and the unique reasons behind it

Countries have changed their names throughout history. The reasons vary - political, cultural, or social changes. These changes often symbolize a shift in their national identity, or a break from a colonial past, or a historical narrative. Let’s take a closer look at some of the countries that changed their names, and also explore the unique reasons behind it.

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Thailand was previously known as Siam. This name, which is said to have originated from a Sanskrit word, Syam, was adopted by the Portuguese from the 16th century, according to History Today. In 1939, Phibun officially changed it to Thailand to reinforce national unity and identity. The name 'Thailand' translates to 'Land of the Free' in Thai.

Sri Lanka was formerly named 'Ceylon'. The name Ceylon was given by the British. They erased the colonial name in 1972 and instead adopted Sri Lanka. The name, derived from the Sinhalese language, means 'resplendent land'.

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In 1989, the ruling military government changed the country's name from Burma to Myanmar. This change was fueled by a need to shed the colonial past and bring a unified identity. However, the change led to controversy, and many viewed it as an attempt by the military government to legitimize its rule.

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In 2016, the Czech Republic changed its name to Czechia. According to the authorities, it is a more convenient and easier name to be used in international events and for companies. The new short name Czechia, is preferred by international companies and used in marketing campaigns; however, the official name remains the Czech Republic.

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In 1971, East Pakistan became Bangladesh after the Bangladesh Liberation War. The country declared independence from West Pakistan and formed the new nation of Bangladesh. This change also signifies their distinct cultural and linguistic identity.

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Iran was formerly known as Persia. Though the name Iran was commonly used by its people for centuries, it became official in 1935. The name traces back to the 3rd century word Eran, which meant 'of the Aryans'. This change was initiated by Reza Shah Pahlavi, and it signifies a new beginning, modernization, and the securing of its indigenous identity.

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In 2022, Turkey changed its name to Türkiye. The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, officially informed the United Nations that it would be known as Türkiye in all languages. "The word 'Turkiye' represents and expresses the culture, civilisation, and values of the Turkish nation in the best way," the Turkish President said. This change was initiated to rectify the country's image and make it more attached to the cultural roots etched in Turkish history.

The names Holland and the Netherlands have been used interchangeably. Holland was never the official name, but it is the name of two of the country's 12 provinces (North Holland and South Holland), which include major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. As it is historically and economically significant, the name Holland was often used for the entire country. However, in 2019, the Dutch government stopped using Holland in its international branding and rebranded as 'The Netherlands'.

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In 2019, the Republic of Macedonia changed its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. This was a diplomatic compromise to end a long-standing dispute with Greece, because the latter has its own region called Macedonia. The new name resolved this issue and led to improved relations and NATO membership.

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In 2018, as it celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence from Britain, Swaziland changed its name to Eswatini. The name Eswatini means the 'land of the Swazis' in their local language, siSwati. The change is a departure from the colonial past. People also confuse Swaziland with Switzerland, which was another reason for the name change. (Pic courtesy: Unsplashed)