Jul 19, 2024, 11:41 PM IST

Countries that changed their names

Shweta Singh

In 1935, Persia officially changed its name to Iran.

Persia to Iran

Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka in 1972 after gaining independence.

Ceylon to Sri Lanka

Burma was renamed Myanmar in 1989 by the military government.

Burma to Myanmar

Zaire changed its name back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997.

Zaire to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Upper Volta was renamed Burkina Faso in 1984.

Upper Volta to Burkina Faso

Swaziland was renamed Eswatini in 2018.

Swaziland to Eswatini

Formerly known as the Republic of Macedonia, it changed its name to North Macedonia in 2019 to resolve a long-standing dispute with Greece.

North Macedonia

Southern Rhodesia became Zimbabwe in 1980 following independence.

Southern Rhodesia to Zimbabwe

Nyasaland changed its name to Malawi upon independence in 1964.

Nyasaland to Malawi