7 Countries That Changed Their Names And Why

Renaming one’s nation signifies profound transformations. For all the right reasons? Indeed for all the right reasons. Such shifts often emerge from a complex interplay of cultural, political, and historical factors. In order to better portray one’s national pride and reclaim their heritage, many countries, throughout the histories have resorted to changing their names. India is the latest country that is considering joining this bandwagon.

Here is a list of seven countries from across the world that have so far changed their names:

1.  Siam to Thailand

In 1939, Thailand underwent a significant transformation in its identity, shifting away from its previous moniker, Siam. This pivotal change was prompted by a desire to reaffirm the nation’s autonomy amidst mounting Western colonial pressures across Southeast Asia. The adoption of the name “Thailand,” which translates to “Land of the Free,” was a deliberate choice aimed at underlining the nation’s independence from the shackles of Western rule and nurturing a profound sense of national pride.

2. Ceylon to Sri Lanka

The second country that is making it to the list of countries that changed its name is none other than Sri Lanka, previously known as Ceylon. In the year 1972, Ceylon underwent a significant transformation, shedding its colonial past and embracing a new identity. This change was a reflection of the nation’s diverse cultural makeup and a conscious effort to move beyond its history under British rule.

The choice of “Sri Lanka,” a term deeply rooted in the Sinhalese language carried profound symbolism. It translates to “resplendent land” in Sinhalese which signifies the nation’s natural beauty and reinforces its unique cultural heritage.

3. East Pakistan to Bangladesh

The history of West and East Pakistan is also enriching. In 1971, East Pakistan broke away from West Pakistan, leading to the creation of a new country called Bangladesh. This change in name and status came after a tough war and showed that the two regions were very different in terms of culture, language, and politics. Bangladesh’s birth marked the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the beginning of a new independent nation.

4. Burma to Myanmar

In 1989, the ruling military junta in Southeast Asia decided to change the name of their nation from Burma to Myanmar. However, this renaming stirred significant international controversy and met with widespread opposition. Many believed it was an effort by the junta to legitimize their authority thereby violating human rights. The United States of America was one among the many countries that vehemently believed so and continued to address the nation as Burma and not Myanmar.

5. Czechoslovakia to The Czech Republic and Slovakia

In 1993, the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia resulted in the formation of two distinct nations: the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This historic split came after the fall of communist rule and was driven by the shared aspiration of the Czechs and Slovaks for increased self-governance and autonomy.

By peacefully parting ways, these two ethnic groups aimed to shape their own destinies and create independent countries that better represented their unique cultural and political identities.

6. Zaire to The Democratic Republic of the Congo

In 1997, Zaire became the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). This change happened because of political troubles and fights. They wanted to move away from Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled like a dictator for a long time. The new name showed their aim to have a democratic government again. It was a way to say they wanted their country to be more free and fair.

7. The Republic of Macedonia to North Macedonia

In 2019, the country known as the Republic of Macedonia changed its name to North Macedonia. This switch happened because of a problem with Greece. Greece didn’t like them using the name “Macedonia” because it also has a place with the same name. So, they changed it to North Macedonia to fix the issue.

This change was part of a deal between the two countries, which allowed North Macedonia to join NATO and made their relationship cordial.

Talking about India, there are talks about changing its name from “India, that is Bharat” to simply “Bharat.” This proposal will be talked about in the upcoming Parliament session led by Narendra Modi’s government.

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