In January 2020, the Dutch government officially requested that the country be referred to as the Netherlands, moving away from the colloquial use of “Holland.”
This rebranding aimed to promote a consistent national identity and reduce confusion, as Holland refers to only two of the country’s twelve provinces.
Czech Republic
In 2016, the Czech Republic adopted “Czechia” as its official short name to simplify international branding and reduce confusion. Both names remain in official use.
Turkey to Türkiye
In 2022, Turkey rebranded itself as Türkiye, its name in the Turkish language. The government initiated this change to better reflect the nation’s culture and eliminate associations with the bird of the same name in English.
Persia to Iran
In 1935, Persia requested that the international community refer to the country as Iran, aligning with its native name. This change aimed to foster a sense of national identity and move away from colonial associations.
Siam to Thailand
Siam officially became Thailand in 1949. The new name means “Land of the Free,” reflecting the country’s pride in being the only Southeast Asian nation never colonized by a European power.
Burma to Myanmar
In 1989, the ruling military government changed the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar. The change was part of a broader initiative to replace colonial-era names with ones reflecting local languages and identities.
Ceylon to Sri Lanka
In 1972, Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka upon becoming a republic. “Sri Lanka” translates to “Resplendent Island” in Sanskrit, emphasizing the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
Swaziland to Eswatini
On April 19, 2018, King Mswati III announced that Swaziland would be renamed Eswatini, meaning “Land of the Swazis.” This change marked the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence and aimed to shed remnants of colonialism.
Zaire to the Republic of the Congo
In 1997, following the end of Mobutu Sese Seko’s regime, Zaire reverted to its former name, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This change aimed to shed the negative associations of Mobutu’s rule and restore the country’s original identity.
