Thu, 14 Dec 2023
Beyond the Map: 5 Nations That Reinvented Themselves with New Names
Myanmar (formerly Burma)
Renamed in 1989 by the military government for a more inclusive identity beyond the Burman ethnic group.
Iran (formerly Persia)
In 1935, the Iranian government mandated 'Iran' for all official correspondence.
Thailand (formerly Siam)
To unify national identity, the country transitioned from Siam to Thailand in 1939.
Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia)
Post-independence in 1980, the country shifted from the colonial name Rhodesia to Zimbabwe.
Côte d'Ivoire (formerly Ivory Coast)
In 1985, the official change aligned with the French version due to its language influence.
Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon)
Declared a republic in 1972, the island nation changed its name to Sri Lanka.
Switzerland (formerly Helvetia)
Though Latin refers to it as Confoederatio Helvetica, it's widely known as Switzerland.