Türkiye, Eswatini, and North Macedonia are among the countries that recently changed their names to better reflect their heritage, resolve disputes, or strengthen national identity.
1. Türkiye (formerly Turkey)
In 2022, the government officially adopted “Türkiye” as the country’s international name. The change aimed to reflect the nation’s culture and identity more accurately while distancing it from the English word “turkey.”
The United Nations recognised the new name after the government formally requested the update across all platforms.
2. Republic of North Macedonia (formerly Republic of Macedonia)
In 2019, the country added “North” to its name to resolve a long-standing dispute with Greece. For decades, Greece objected to the name “Macedonia,” saying it implied a claim to the Greek region with the same name. The new title, “Republic of North Macedonia,” cleared the path for the country to join NATO and advance toward European Union membership.
3. Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
In 2018, the king announced that the nation would return to its pre-colonial name, Eswatini, meaning “land of the Swazis.”
The decision marked 50 years of independence and reflected a desire to move away from colonial-era naming conventions. It also helped reduce confusion with Switzerland, a frequent mix-up in international settings.