Evolution Of Nations: A List Of Countries That Underwent Name Changes

Turkiye (Formerly Turkey)

Last year, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan decided that Turkey will now be called Turkiye, its Turkish name, instead of the English version. He believes Turkiye better represents Turkish culture and values.

Iran (Formerly Persia)

Before 1935, Iran was called Persia. The government then asked other countries to call it Iran, which is its Persian name. That's why it's called Iran today.

Sri Lanka (Formerly Ceylon)

In 1972, Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka when it became a republic, marking a shift away from its colonial past.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma)

In 1989, the military junta changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar, a move that remains politically contentious.

North Macedonia (formerly Macedonia)

In 2019, North Macedonia officially changed its name from Macedonia, ending a long-standing dispute with Greece over the use of the name, as Greece also has a region called Macedonia.

Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia)

After gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1980, Southern Rhodesia changed its name to Zimbabwe.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

In 2018, King Mswati III officially changed the name of the country from Swaziland to Eswatini to reflect the nation's Swazi heritage and culture.

Belarus (formerly Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic)

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic changed its name to the Republic of Belarus.

Benin (formerly Dahomey

In 1975, the Republic of Dahomey officially changed its name to the People's Republic of Benin to reflect its national identity and break from its colonial past.