A Brief History
On March 28, 1930, the Turkish cities of Constantinople and Angora changed their names to Istanbul and Ankara. You may remember Constantinople as the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire and the capital of the Ottoman Empire (as well as the Latin Empire and Byzantine Empire), but if you are not familiar with Angora/Ankara you are hereby informed that this city is the capital of Turkey. Many cities, countries, and even regions have undergone name changes throughout history for many different reasons. Here are some of the most significant.
Digging Deeper
10. Peking to Beijing (1958).
The many dialects of the Chinese languages compounded by European mistranslations had resulted in most of the rest of the world calling the capital of China Peiping, Pekin, or Peking, when the natives of the city have consistently called it Beijing. China made the name Beijing official in 1958 and western countries were slow to follow. Beijing has a metropolitan population of over 21 million people and is the longest running political and or cultural capital city in the world, over 3000 years! (Note, Tokyo, changed from Edo in 1868, has a metropolitan population of over 32 million, but that is another article…)
9. Russia to Soviet Union (1922) to Russia (1991).
Any time the largest country in the world changes names, that means a lot of new maps are sold! Changed from variations of Russia to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1922 shortly after the communist takeover, the collapse of communism and the Soviet Union resulted in a reversal back to Russia. Of course, with the USSR breaking up, many other countries that had previously not been independent countries became their own nation, just ask Borat.
8. Ceylon to Sri Lanka (1972)
Ceylon was a European colonial name bestowed upon the island nation by the Portuguese in 1505 and carried over by the British Empire who “owned” Ceylon until 1948. The name was finally changed in 1972 to shed the colonial connection, a not uncommon sentiment by former colonies. This nation of over 20 million people has a nickname of “The Nation of smiling people.” This nation of “smiling people” has just recently ended a 30 year civil war!
7. Burma to Myanmar (1989).
A name change to eliminate colonial influence on place names (cities and the country’s name) the old name, Burma, is still used by dissidents and opposition groups, as well as some other countries that do not recognize the legitimacy of the current government. A neighbor of Thailand, Myanmar has a population of about 60 million people.
6. St. Petersburg to Petrograd (1914) to Leningrad (1924) to St. Petersburg (1991).
Czar Peter The Great founded this grand city in his own name in 1703 and it remained the capital of Imperial Russia until 1918 when the Soviets took over an moved their capital to Moscow. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, so did the city’s communist name and the old name was resurrected. With 5 million people St. Petersburg is Russia’s second largest city and definitely the center of Russian culture.
5. Siam to Thailand (1939).
Another place given a name by outsiders, the name Siam was never historically what the Thai people called their country. Changed in 1939 to reflect the name the native people used, the name actually went back to Siam from 1945 to 1949 when it was changed back once again to Thailand. The King of Thailand has reigned since 1946, the longest time ruling a country of any world leader today.
4. Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City (1976).
Not called Saigon until the 1600’s (previously known as Prey Nokor), Saigon was the capital of French Indochina (Cochinchina) and was known as “The Paris of the Orient.” Renowned for its beauty and charm, Saigon was renamed shortly after being seized by communist forces after the Viet Nam War. With an urban area of over 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City is expected to continue to grow for at least the next decade or more.
3. Persia to Iran (1935).
The name Persia was never really the name the people that lived in that country called it, but was the accepted name the rest of the world referred to it by. In 1935, the reigning Shah changed the name of the country to Iran and requested the world recognize the change. By 1959, popular sentiment caused many to start referring to their country as Persia again, and both names were used. By the time the 1979 Islamic revolution came, the country’s official name became The Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran means “Land of the Aryans,” one more clue that the Nazi’s did not know what they were talking about as far as race goes, because Germans are not Aryans!
2. Constantinople to Istanbul (1930).
One of the world’s most historic and major cities, Constantinople was the capital of 4 empires and was fought over numerous times. The name change in 1930 was to reflect the Islamic nature of Turkey, whereas the original name was in honor of Constantine, a Christian. Istanbul has the 3d largest urban area by population in the world. Prior to being called Constantinople, the city was a Greek colony called Byzantium (660 BCE to 324 CE). Perhaps you have heard the song about the name change?
1. New Amsterdam to New York (1664).
The most populous city in the US and the financial center of the world, this massive port city was first settled by Dutch trappers in 1624 who named it after their capital in Holland (The Netherlands). When the English took it over in 1664, a proper English name was bestowed on it, and the home of the Yankees became New York City. New York has been the most populous city in the US since 1790. Despite its size and importance, New York City is not the capital of New York State (Albany is).
Question for students (and subscribers): What places with name changes do you think should be on this list? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
And now for your listening pleasure…
The Four Lads. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (Album Version). Columbia, 1989.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1613 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=1613">51 Comments
I knew New York was originally called New Amsterdam, and the British Duke of York ratted out the Dutch in the 1660s. Still, there were some things that surprised me, such as the name of St. Petersburg changing four times. I didn’t even realize that it was called Leningrad at one point, because I believed Leningrad was somewhere else in Russia. I suppose the term Siam was regarded as being offensive to Thailand, but why did the Iranians not want to be called Persians? Personally, I think the name Persia is actually cooler than Iran. Not to mention, I love that you pointed out how ignorant Hitler and the Nazis were about the term “Aryan”. So, it’s an Asian term. I know I’m making a bold statement with no historical evidence, but is it possible that the Aryans (that being the Iranians or Persians) were descendants of Assyria? I remember learning about the Assyrians years back in my history class, and understand that they had a very powerful military. Not to mention, they were enemies of the Babylonians, which I know ancient Babylonia was somewhere in the Ancient Near Eastern lands.
I think just calling China’s capital Beijing is easier than having all those other names.
No wonder I get so confused, I can remember most of those names but I never know what the name is at present time.
I did not know that New York at one time was called New Amsterdam and I believe I should have remembered that from one of my history classes. Maybe age has got to me.
It is interesting to see how places change over time, changing their name, trying rid themselves of bad history or time period for that country.
I am amzed by the naame changes that have occurred. They were all subtle changes, but it seemed they all changed to shed their old identities and traditions.
Very interesting! Was surprised to hear about New York, I didn’t know it changed its name.
These name changes are extremely interesting! They seem to coincide with the purging of a culture or bad patch of history! Very interesting stuff.
I had no idea that Siam is now Thailand, I thought they were two entirely different countries. Very Intriguing.
These name changes certainly are interesting! I did not know about New York having been called New Amsterdam in the past either.
A few of these I did not realize their once held names in the past, very interesting!
I was not aware about most of these name changes, but I found it pretty cool when I notice the two names but didn’t realize they were the same place.
Russia can’t make up its mind haha. I guess thats why I always refered to them as both Russia and Soviet Union. I thought Soviet Union was maybe like a nickname and Russia was actual name.
Peking is such an awesome name they should of never changed it to Beijing.
I never knew that New York was once called New Amsterdam. It seems like most of these cities names were changed after a shift in power. I all of these names but never knew exactly what they were changed to or when, so this is very interesting.
I think it’s interesting (and a good choice) that Poland, Germany, and the USSR were once Prussia. Prussia doesn’t even sound like a real name.
I feel like Russia maybe shouldn’t be on this list. Russia is the name of the current country, and Soviet Union is the collection of Russia, Ukraine, parts of Poland, and many other countries.
I did not know that Burma was no longer its official name. Its interesting to know how many countries have changed their names and the names of their cities.
I think it is interesting that Sri Lanka used to be called Ceylon by the Portugese. It’s also interesting that it is nicknamed the nation of smiling people. I also didn’t realize Burma is now Myanmar.
I had never known that Beijing was called something different. I also found it interesting to know that St Petersburg Russia has gone through numerous changes.
I think Alexandria to Cairo should be on the list. Especially considering that it was conquered by Alexander the Great, even if it was way back then.
I found this really interesting, I had no idea all these places have had their names changed. I learned a lot of new things.
I could honestly say I have never knew about any of these name changes. It is exciting to see that New York was not originally named New York.
I never knew that there were so many name changes, and I would have to say I am pretty glad. The names now are more “practical” I would say. But some names were pretty cool, for example Peking!
This is pretty cool to think about. There are so many cities out there that have had their name changed not only once but a few times like St. Petersburg.
Interesting to see that New York had a name change. I wonder if there were any underlying implications when these cities went through their name changes besides the need for new maps.
Interesting that i always known as Beijing as Beijing. I didn’t know that so many europeans are idiots in misinterpreting the name of one city known to every native. It was the europeans that actually name changed it. I wonder now how many cities are being called the wrong name.
It’s interesting that entire cities have simply been renamed. I also didn’t know that Burma was not it’s official name
With this whole Alaska wanting to be Russia again I did some brief research. It was once know as Alyeska, the “great land”, when apart of the Russian colonial days.
Changing names of cities and even whole countries is fascinating to me, especially considering how many times Russia has changed its name.
Never knew so many countries and cities changed their names. New York surprised me.
I didn’t even know you could change the name of a city or country. New York, defiantly surprised me.
I think its quite interesting to go through history and find that certain places in modern times were named something entirely different and almost unrecognizable! Although different but basically the same idea, places in the United States when it was only the 13 colonies are different than they used to be as well. Like the original capital of the US was New York City but then changed to Washington D.C. And the capital of Ohio was originally Chilicothee and was then changed to Columbus.
Do a survey of friends to find out how many of them think that Burma and Persia still exist. You might be surprised!
New Amsterdam to New York was definitely surprising to me. I ASSumed New York City was always New York City! — DAVID WARDLE
I had no idea that the names of cities had changed over the years. I assumed that New York City was always New York City. Interesting.
I was surprised to read about some of these countries and cities. I had always assumed that is what they had always been called.
The found that Sri Lanka had a previous name was interesting. Fun fact, Sri Lanka has the highest population of snakes per square mile. I had no idea about the civil war, I learned about the snakes from a series on Animal Planet.
i had no clue that the new amsterdam to new york and persia to iran happened. Interesting stuff
interesting article
Isn’t there still a debate going on about whether to call it Burma or Myanmar?
It is always interesting to see how somethings change. One that i would have liked to see stay the same would be persia. Could you imagine going there and saying ive been to persia. Iran doesnt do much for me lol
For some reason I was under the impression that New York had always been New York during the time after The Reformation when the Puritans were looking for new places to live and create trade with the natives. Very interesting! I knew the Dutch had ventured to this area also, but I had no idea that they had named the city first!
Wasn’t aware the names of cities changed like that!
soviet union and how the final agreement was done by a typist using one finger who would have thunk it, the fact the new president forced the the old in to staying in his home in krimea and how that is effecting the state now
I always knew that Iran used to be Persia but I didn’t know that it was so recently that it happened!
I actually had no idea that Iran used to be Persia.
I did not know most of these cities changed their names. Also, the video of the man vs. the tank was amazing. He must have had some guts to do that.
Years ago, someone gave me a Word-a-Day calendar. One day the word was “endonym” which meant what the people living in a place call that place. I was astonished to discover just how many places call their country something completely different than we do. [more about that here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exonym_and_endonym ]
Old Name Pakstan New Name Pakistan :
Old Name : Karchi : New Name Karachi