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A few nations have been renamed since they achieved independence, typically in an effort to disavow colonial legacies, restore ancient identities, or suit changed political circumstances. Such renamings are critical turning points in national self-definition and global recognition.
Reasons Behind Renaming After Independence
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Rejecting colonial names: Most countries chose new names to destroy connotations of colonial masters or imposed identities.
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Cultural/historical renewal: Certain modifications sought to reinstate indigenous or historic names.
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Political change: New political structures or systems initiated new nomenclature.
Countries That Changed Their Names After Independence
| Old Name | New Name | Year of Change | Colonial Power | Notes |
| Burma | Myanmar | 1989 | Britain | Disputed internationally |
| Ceylon | Sri Lanka | 1972 | Britain | Adoption of indigenous name |
| Gold Coast | Ghana | 1957 | Britain | First Sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence |
| East Bengal | Bangladesh | 1971 | Pakistan | Independence from Pakistan |
| Dutch East Indies | Indonesia | 1945/1949 | Netherlands | End of colonial era |
| Northern Rhodesia | Zambia | 1964 | Britain | Independence led to new name |
| Southern Rhodesia | Zimbabwe | 1980 | Britain | Post-independence renaming |
| Basutoland | Lesotho | 1966 | Britain | Adoption of indigenous name |
| Bechuanaland | Botswana | 1966 | Britain | Indigenous heritage reflected |
| British Guiana | Guyana | 1966 | Britain | Renamed after independence |
| French Sudan | Mali | 1960 | France | Adoption of ancient empire name |
| French Congo | Congo-Brazzaville | 1960 | France | Renamed as Republic of the Congo |
| Nyasaland | Malawi | 1964 | Britain | Post-independence change |
| Western Samoa | Samoa | 1997 | New Zealand | Dropped 'Western' |
| Irish Free State | Ireland | 1937 | Britain | Formal name shift post-independence |
| Siam | Thailand | 1939 (again in 1947) | Never colonized | Return to indigenous name |
| Persia | Iran | 1935 | Never colonized | Ancient native name adopted |
| Swaziland | Eswatini | 2018 | Britain | Reverted to indigenous name |
| Republic of Macedonia | North Macedonia | 2019 | Yugoslavia (predecessor) | To resolve naming dispute with Greece |
| Republic of Upper Volta | Burkina Faso | 1984 | France | 'Land of upright people' |
| Kampuchea | Cambodia | 1989, 1993 | France, Vietnam | Name changed several times |
| Dahomey | Benin | 1975 | France | After the Benin Empire |
| French Somaliland | Djibouti | 1977 | France | Independence led to new name |
| Portuguese Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | 1974 | Portugal | Reflects capital city |
| Dutch Guiana | Suriname | 1975 | Netherlands | Retained ancient name |
| Aden Colony | South Yemen | 1967 | Britain | Later unified as Yemen |
| Zanzibar & Tanganyika | Tanzania | 1964 | Britain | Merged into new country |
| Afars and Issas | Djibouti | 1977 | France | From territory to independent state |
| Zaire | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1997 | Belgium | Returned to earlier name |
| Cape Verde | Cabo Verde | 2013 | Portugal | Portuguese name now used |
Additional Examples
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Persia → Iran, 1935
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Holland → The Netherlands, 2020 (branding shift)
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Czech Republic → Czechia, 2016
Observations
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International adoption of some renamings, such as Burma/Myanmar or Swaziland/Eswatini, has been sluggish or contentious.
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Before deciding on their current names, a number of countries in Asia, the Pacific, and Africa underwent several changes.
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Creating a distinct post-colonial identity, fostering unity, or reflecting political shifts were frequently the driving forces.
In conclusion, the post-independence renaming trend is widespread, particularly in Asia and Africa, and it is still going strong today as countries continue to redefine or reclaim their identities based on diplomatic, linguistic, or cultural factors.
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