Many countries around the world are known by more than one name. Some countries have multiple official names, while others have common alternate names used in different languages, contexts or historical periods. Below we will explore some of the countries that are known by two or more different names and the reasons behind their multiple appellations.
Countries with Multiple Official Names
A number of countries have two or more names that are officially recognized by their government. Some examples include:
- Iran/Persia – The country’s official name is Iran, but it was formerly known as Persia and this older name is still used frequently.
- Côte d’Ivoire/Ivory Coast – Côte d’Ivoire is the official French name, while Ivory Coast is the common English translation.
- Egypt/United Arab Republic – Egypt’s official name was changed to the United Arab Republic from 1958-1971 when it united with Syria.
- Czechia/Czech Republic – Both names are official short and long-form names for the country.
- Myanmar/Burma – Myanmar is the name recognized by the UN and adopted in 1989, while Burma was the previous name.
- Eswatini/Swaziland – Eswatini is the current official name adopted in 2018, while Swaziland was used previously.
- North Macedonia/Macedonia – North Macedonia is the new official name adopted in 2019, Macedonia was the previous name.
- Bolivia/Plurinational State of Bolivia – Plurinational State of Bolivia is the country’s full official name since 2009.
So in each of these cases, political changes over time have led to countries officially adopting an additional or alternative name while retaining their former name in common usage as well.
Translated Country Names
Many country names are simply translated terms that can vary across languages. Some examples include:
- Germany/Deutschland – Germany in English, Deutschland in German
- Egypt/Misr – Egypt in English, Misr in Arabic
- Japan/Nippon – Japan in English, Nippon in Japanese
- Greece/Hellas – Greece in English, Hellas in Greek
- Finland/Suomi – Finland in English, Suomi in Finnish
- India/Bharat – India in English, Bharat in Hindi
In these cases, the English name is most widely used internationally and in diplomacy, but the name in the country’s native language is often used domestically and is equally as official and accepted.
Historic Country Names
The names of some countries have evolved over long periods of history, with older historic names still familiar to many people. Some examples include:
- Turkey/Ottoman Empire – Turkey is the modern name, but the Ottoman Empire ruled the same territory up until 1922.
- Iran/Persia – As mentioned, Persia is the historic name for the same country known as Iran today.
- Sri Lanka/Ceylon – Sri Lanka is the current name adopted in 1972, while Ceylon was used from the colonial era until then.
- Myanmar/Burma – Similarly, Burma is the older Western name for the country now known as Myanmar.
- Mumbai/Bombay – Mumbai is the current name of India’s largest city, but Bombay was the colonial-era name.
- Chennai/Madras – Madras was the name of this Indian city during the British colonial period.
The older historic names for these countries and cities are still used sometimes for context when referring to historical events or literature from the past. But the newer names are now standard in contemporary usage.
Countries with Common Alternate Names
Some well-known alternate country names are not official but are still commonly used:
- Holland vs. Netherlands – Holland refers specifically to two provinces but is commonly used to refer to the country as a whole.
- England vs. United Kingdom – England is just one part of the UK but is sometimes incorrectly used as a synonym for the entire UK.
- America vs. United States – America most often is used to refer to the USA, though it technically refers to the Americas geographic region.
These alternate country names are informal and not for official diplomatic use. But they are entrenched through history, culture and common usage.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a variety of reasons why some countries are known by multiple names. Official political changes can lead to new names being adopted while old names stick around. Translation between languages naturally leads to different country names in different tongues. Historic name evolutions cause traditional names to remain familiar long after new names are adopted. And common conventions lead to alternate names being informally used by habit or convenience. So while most countries have a single dominant official name, the geopolitical history and linguistic diversity around the world has led many nations to be known by more than one common appellation.