A Look at 10 Countries That Have Changed Their Names Over Time
A Look at 10 Countries That Have Changed Their Names Over Time
Historical Name Changes of 10 Countries
Throughout history, several countries have undergone name changes due to political, cultural, or administrative reasons.
Here are some notable examples:
1. Bangladesh:
In 1971, East Pakistan declared its independence from West Pakistan following a brutal war, leading to the formation of Bangladesh.
2. Myanmar:
Burma, a Southeast Asian nation, was renamed Myanmar in 1989 by the ruling military junta.
3. Thailand:
Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand officially changed its name to Thailand that year.
4. Turkiye:
Turkey was officially renamed Turkiye in December 2021 by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
5. Netherlands:
The government decided to change the name of Holland to Netherlands in January 2020.Â
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo:
Zaire changed its name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in 1997 following political upheavals and conflicts.
7. Sri Lanka:
In 1972, the island nation of Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka and declared itself a republic.
8. Iran:
Known as Persia for most of its history, Iran officially adopted the name Iran in 1935.
9. Ireland:
Historically known as the Irish Free State until 1937, Ireland adapted a new constitution and changed its name to Ireland.
10. Czechia:
In 1993, Czechoslovakia split into two nations: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2016, the Czech Republic officially adopted the shorter name Czechia.
