Persia to Iran
- Date: 1935
- Old Name: Persia
- New Name: Iran
- Leader: Sha Pahlavi
In 1935, the Persian government requested the name change. Reason: To reflect the country’s native identity by emphasizing its Aryan roots. This was part of a wider series of reforms under Sha Pahlavi.
Siam to Thailand
- Date: 1939
- Old Name: Siam
- New Name: Thailand
- Reversion Period: 1945 to 1949 (briefly reverted to Siam)
In 1939, Siam was renamed Thailand.
Reason: To symbolize its independence and as part of modernization efforts.
The name briefly reverted to Siam from 1945 to 1949. It was changed back to Thailand afterward.
Thailand: Meaning “land of the free.”
Abyssinia to Ethiopia
- Date: 1941
- Old Name: Abyssinia
- New Name: Ethiopia
Ethiopia (formerly known as Abyssinia) regained its independence from Italian occupation in 1941.
Reason: The name change marked the end of colonial influence.
- Ethiopia: The indigenous name.
- Abyssinia: A name used by outsiders.
Formosa to Taiwan
- Date: 1949
- Old Name: Formosa
- New Name: Taiwan
Taiwan (previously known as Formosa) became the official name following the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
This occurred when the Nationalist government relocated there.
Taiwan: The name used by the indigenous population.
Dutch East Indies to Indonesia
- Date: 1945
- Old Name: Dutch East Indies
- New Name: Indonesia
Following World War II, Indonesia declared independence from Dutch colonial rule in 1945.
Reason: Changed its name from Dutch East Indies.
Indonesia: Meaning “Indian islands.”
Gold Coast to Ghana
- Date: 1957
- Old Name: Gold Coast
- New Name: Ghana
Ghana (named after the ancient Ghana Empire) replaced the colonial name Gold Coast in 1957.
This happened upon gaining independence from British rule.
Reason: The name Ghana was chosen to embody a proud African heritage.
French Sudan to Mali
- Date: 1960
- Old Name: French Sudan
- New Name: Mali
Mali gained independence in 1960.
Reason: Was named after the historic Mali Empire, reflecting a return to its pre-colonial roots.
Nyasaland to Malawi
- Date: 1964
- Old Name: Nyasaland
- New Name: Malawi
At its independence in 1964, Nyasaland was renamed Malawi.
- Malawi: A name derived from the “Maravi,” an old name of the Nyanja people, meaning “flaming water,” likely in reference to the sun’s reflection on Lake Malawi.
Tanganyika and Zanzibar to Tanzania
- Date: 1964
- Old Entities: Tanganyika and Zanzibar archipelago
- New Name: Tanzania
Tanzania was formed in 1964 from the union of Tanganyika and the Zanzibar archipelago.
It replaced the name Zanzibar (which remains a semi-autonomous region within Tanzania).
Basutoland to Lesotho
- Date: 1966
- Old Name: Basutoland
- New Name: Lesotho
Lesotho was adopted at independence in 1966, replacing the name Basutoland.
Reason: It represents the country’s ethnic majority and sovereignty.
Lesotho: Meaning “land of the Sotho speakers.”
Bechuanaland to Botswana
- Date: 1966
- Old Name: Bechuanaland
- New Name: Botswana
In 1966, following its independence, Bechuanaland was renamed Botswana.
Reason: Reflecting the country’s dominant ethnic group.
Botswana: Meaning “land of the Tswana.”
East Pakistan to Bangladesh
- Date: 1971
- Old Name: East Pakistan
- New Name: Bangladesh
Bangladesh became independent in 1971 following a war of independence against Pakistan. The country was formerly known as East Pakistan.
Bangladesh: Meaning “country of Bengal” in Bengali.
Ceylon to Sri Lanka
- Date: 1972
- Old Name: Ceylon
- New Name: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka replaced the name Ceylon in 1972. This occurred when the country became a republic, shedding remnants of its colonial past.
Sri Lanka: Meaning “resplendent land” in Sanskrit.
British Honduras to Belize
- Date: 1973
- Old Name: British Honduras
- New Name: Belize
- Independence Year: 1981
The name Belize (derived from the Belize River) was adopted in 1973.
Reason: As part of the decolonization process, moving towards independence in 1981.
The country was previously known as British Honduras.
Dahomey to Benin
- Date: 1975
- Old Name: Dahomey
- New Name: Benin
In 1975, Dahomey changed its name to Benin.
Reason: As part of a move to distance itself from its colonial past.
The name Benin was chosen to reflect the ancient Kingdom of Benin.
Ellice Islands to Tuvalu
- Date: 1978
- Old Name: Ellice Islands
- New Name: Tuvalu
- Number of Islands: Eight (traditionally inhabited)
Upon its independence from British rule in 1978, the Ellice Islands were renamed Tuvalu.
Tuvalu: Meaning “eight standing together,” referring to the country’s eight traditionally inhabited islands.
Gilbert Islands to Kiribati
- Date: 1979
- Old Name: Gilbert Islands
- New Name: Kiribati
The Gilbert Islands, upon gaining independence in 1979 from the United Kingdom, were renamed Kiribati.
Reason: Reflecting the local pronunciation of “Gilberts” and a return to indigenous nomenclature.
Rhodesia to Zimbabwe
- Date: 1980
- Old Name: Rhodesia
- New Name: Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe (named after an ancient city) became the country’s name in 1980.
Reason: Marking its independence from colonial rule and symbolizing a new national identity, moving away from its colonial namesake Cecil Rhodes. The country was formerly known as Rhodesia.
New Hebrides to Vanuatu
- Date: 1980
- Old Name: New Hebrides
- New Name: Vanuatu
Vanuatu was chosen as the country’s name upon gaining independence in 1980.
Reason: Signifying national unity and identity. The country was previously known as New Hebrides.
Vanuatu: Meaning “Our Land forever” in many local languages.
Upper Volta to Burkina Faso
- Date: 1984
- Old Name: Upper Volta
- New Name: Burkina Faso
- Leader: President Thomas Sankara
- Languages combined: Moore and Dioula
In 1984, Upper Volta was renamed Burkina Faso.
Reason: The change, initiated by President Thomas Sankara, aimed to inspire integrity and break from the colonial past.
The name combines words from the Moore and Dioula languages.
Burkina Faso: Meaning “land of honest men.”
Kampuchea to Cambodia
- Date: 1989
- Old Name: Kampuchea
- New Name: Cambodia
Cambodia reverted to its historical name in 1989.
Reason: After the Vietnamese withdrawal and the end of the Cambodian-Vietnamese War.
Burma to Myanmar
- Date: 1989
- Old Name: Burma
- New Name: Myanmar
In 1989, Burma’s military government changed the country’s name to Myanmar.
Reason: As part of a shift away from colonial-era names, aiming to better represent the country’s ethnic diversity.
Soviet Union to Russia
- Date: 1991
- Old Name: Soviet Union (USSR)
- New Name: Russia
The Soviet Union changed to Russia in 1991 after the USSR’s dissolution.
Reason: This marked a shift from a socialist state to a federation and a return to its historical name.
This change symbolized the end of the Cold War.
Yugoslavia to Serbia
- Date: 1992
- Old Entity: Yugoslavia
- New Entity: Serbia (as an independent nation)
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, Serbia became an independent nation in 1992.
Reason: Marking the end of the Yugoslav Federation.
Zaire to Congo
- Date: 1997
- Old Name: Zaire
- New Name: Congo
- Leader: Mobutu Sese Seko
Zaire reverted to its pre-1971 name, Congo, in 1997.
Reason: Following the end of Mobutu Sese Seko’s regime, as part of efforts to erase the vestiges of his dictatorship.
Swaziland to Eswatini
- Date: 2018
- Old Name: Swaziland
- New Name: Eswatini
- Event: 50th Anniversary celebrations of Swazi Independence
In 2018, Swaziland was renamed Eswatini by the King. This occurred during the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Swazi Independence.
Reason: The change reflects a deeper sense of national identity.
Eswatini: Meaning “land of the Swazis.”
Macedonia to North Macedonia
- Date: 2019
- Old Name: Macedonia
- New Name: North Macedonia
- Other Country Involved: Greece
The name change to North Macedonia in 2019 resolved a long-standing dispute with Greece.
Greece has a region named Macedonia.
Reason: The agreement facilitated North Macedonia’s integration into the EU and NATO.
Turkey to Türkiye
- Date: 2021
- Old Name: Turkey
- New Name: Türkiye
In 2021, Turkey officially changed its international name to Türkiye.
Reason: Emphasizing its national identity.
This change promotes the use of the name as it’s pronounced and spelled in Turkish.