When Countries Change Their Names: A Translator's Guide to National Identity

What happens when a country decides its name no longer reflects its identity? From Turkey’s shift to Türkiye to Denmark’s official change from "Hviderusland" to "Belarus," country name changes in translation are becoming increasingly common as nations assert themselves on the global stage. For translators, localization professionals, and international businesses, these changes bring unique challenges: balancing historical usage, official policies, and the recommendations of Dansk Sprognævn (the Danish Language Council).

Country names are more than simple labels on a map, they are powerful statements of national identity, sovereignty, and cultural pride. When North Macedonia emerged from decades of dispute as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, or when Eswatini replaced its colonial name of Swaziland, these were not just administrative updates. They marked profound shifts in how nations choose to be recognized by the international community, setting off ripple effects in translation, diplomacy, business documents, and everyday language use.

The Danish Dilemma: Who Decides Country Names?

When Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod announced in March 2021 that Denmark would officially use "Belarus" instead of "Hviderusland," it sparked a lively linguistic debate. Researchers at Copenhagen University noted that this raised deeper questions about who truly has the authority to decide how country names are used in Danish translation. While Udenrigsministeriet (the Foreign Ministry) made the political call, it is actually Dansk Sprognævn that formally establishes foreign place names in Danish language contexts.

This tension between political symbolism and linguistic authority is not unique to Denmark. In Sweden, Språkrådet adopted "Belarus" instead of "Vitryssland," while in Germany the situation is gradually shifting. The Foreign Ministry has used "Belarus" officially since the early 1990s, yet "Weißrussland" remains common in general German usage. For Danish translators and businesses, such country name changes in translation create practical challenges: government documents now use "Belarus," but Retskrivningsordbogen still lists "hviderussisk" in the Danish dictionary and many Danes continue to use the traditional name in everyday speech. However, it now contains a footnote that it has been "belarusisk" since 2021.

Turkey's Rebranding: When Türkiye Doesn't Translate

The 2022 transformation from Turkey to Türkiye presents different challenges for Danish professionals. Unlike the Belarus case, this change has not influenced Danish usage, since we continue to use "Tyrkiet" without modification. The Turkish government’s push for global adoption of "Türkiye" was intended to strengthen the country’s brand and move away from the English association with the bird, but the practical outcome of this country name change in translation varies widely across languages.

Interestingly, while the United Nations accepted the change and many English-speaking governments use "Türkiye" in formal diplomatic contexts, most continue with "Turkey" in broader public communication. The U.S. State Department, for example, employs "Türkiye" in bilateral settings but acknowledges that "Turkey" remains more widely recognized by the American public. This dual approach highlights how country name changes in translation do not always spread uniformly across languages. What works in English may be irrelevant in Danish, where our term already differs from both versions.

Czechia: Another Example that Didn't Translate

A similar situation arose when the Czech Republic encouraged the use of "Czechia" as its short name. Although the term gained some recognition internationally, you will still hear "Czech Republic" now and then. In Danish, "Tjekkiet" remained the same before or after. Both examples highlight how official rebranding efforts do not always reshape established terms in other languages, especially when the existing forms already differ from English.

North Macedonia: A Name That Unlocked Europe's Doors

The transformation from FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) to North Macedonia, or "Nordmakedonien" in Danish, stands as one of the most significant country name changes in translation in recent history. The 27-year dispute with Greece was finally resolved through the 2018 Prespa Agreement, which opened the way for the country to pursue EU and NATO membership that Greece had long blocked.

For Danish businesses, this change was relatively straightforward since Denmark had already recognized "Republikken Makedonien" before the official change. However, the shift to "Nordmakedonien" still required updating legal documents, databases, and marketing materials. The dispute touched on ancient history and modern politics alike, with Greece objecting not just to the name but to North Macedonia's use of symbols like the Vergina Sun and historical figures like Alexander the Great.

From Swaziland to Eswatini: Reclaiming Indigenous Identity

King Mswati III’s 2018 decision to change Swaziland to Eswatini reflected a wider African trend of post-colonial renaming. The name "Eswatini," meaning "land of the Swazis" in siSwati, had always been used locally, so the change simply brought the international name into line with domestic usage. The king explained that African nations naturally revert to indigenous names after independence, which made Swaziland’s delayed country name change in translation appear long overdue.

Danish travel companies and organizations working in southern Africa faced practical challenges with this change. Some had to update legal documents, while others revised travel guides and educational materials. Even the spelling became a point of international debate, with some preferring "eSwatini" and others "Eswatini," though the UN and most international bodies ultimately agreed on the latter with standard capitalization. For translators, this was another reminder of how country name changes in translation can raise both linguistic and practical issues.

The Netherlands Clarifies: It's Not Just Holland

The Dutch government’s 2020 decision to officially drop "Holland" from international branding represents a different kind of naming challenge. In Danish, there has always been a distinction between "Holland" (the two provinces) and "Nederlandene" (the entire country), yet many Danes still use "Holland" colloquially. The government’s clarification campaign seeks to represent all twelve provinces, not just North and South Holland, while encouraging tourism beyond Amsterdam and Rotterdam. For language professionals, this case shows how country name changes in translation are not always about new names but about clarifying correct usage.

This is not truly a name change but rather a clarification of correct usage. The Dutch government hopes to draw more attention to provinces such as Friesland and Limburg, easing overtourism in the traditional "Holland" destinations. For Danish businesses, this highlights the need for more precise geographic references, even though the shift has been gradual and many Dutch people themselves still casually use "Holland" in international contexts. As with other country name changes in translation, the challenge lies in balancing official guidance with everyday usage.

Belarus: The Political Weight of Translation

Few recent changes carry as much political weight in Denmark as the shift from "Hviderusland" to "Belarus." After Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s visit to Copenhagen to seek support for the Belarusian democracy movement, Foreign Minister Kofod announced the new usage as a symbol of solidarity with those opposing Lukashenko’s regime. Anastasia Valentin Rasmussen from the organization Talaka – Venner af Belarus i Danmark called it “fantastisk” news, emphasizing that this country name change in translation acknowledges Belarusian identity and sovereignty.

The linguistic debate is a fascinating one: although both names technically mean "White Rus," the "rus" in Belarus refers not to modern Russia but to the medieval Slavic federation of Ruthenia. This distinction carries great weight given Belarus’s complicated relationship with Russia and the 2020 pro-democracy protests. Sweden adopted the new form in 2019, Denmark in 2021, and Norway in 2022, yet the implementation remains uneven. Danish Wikipedia editors, for example, voted to keep "Hviderusland" as the article title, arguing that it is still the most commonly used term in Danish. This is currently under debate again. For translators, this illustrates how country name changes in translation often unfold gradually, with political intent outpacing everyday usage.

Danish Wikipedia still lists the country as “Hviderusland,” despite proposals to rename the page to “Belarus.”

Navigating the Practicalities: A Danish Perspective

For Danish companies working internationally, country name changes in translation can affect everything from CRM systems to shipping labels. If a database still lists customers in "Hviderusland" but new contracts must say "Belarus," consistency becomes essential. Legal documents that rely on outdated names risk validity issues, while marketing materials that use the wrong form can alienate potential customers and harm brand reputation.

The role of Dansk Sprognævn adds another layer of complexity. While government ministries can set their own usage, Sprognævn’s recommendations in Retskrivningsordbogen carry significant influence for businesses, media, and educational institutions. This often creates a delay between political decisions and linguistic standardization, a challenge that directly affects country name changes in translation in countries with formal language councils.

Best Practices for Danish Professionals

Stay informed through both Udenrigsministeriet announcements and Dansk Sprognævn updates. When a change occurs, audit all materials systematically: websites, legal documents, and databases should all be reviewed. It can also be useful to maintain a reference table showing both old and new names, particularly for historical documents created before country name changes in translation took effect.

Most importantly, respect the choices nations make about their names while also navigating the practical realities of Danish language use. While "Türkiye" may be officially correct, "Tyrkiet" remains the standard in Danish. Similarly, although the government uses "Belarus," many Danes continue to say "Hviderusland." As language professionals, we balance political sensitivity with linguistic practicality, guiding clients through country name changes in translation while ensuring their communication remains clear and effective.

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FAQs about Country Name Changes in Translation

What are some common reasons behind country name changes in translation?

Country name changes often reflect political, historical, or cultural shifts such as decolonization, national rebranding, or identity affirmation. These changes may involve adopting new official names or moving from exonyms (foreign-language names) to endonyms (local names). They frequently create complex challenges for translators and localization professionals.

How do linguistic bodies like Dansk Sprognævn affect country name changes in translation?

Institutions such as Dansk Sprognævn formally standardize foreign country names in Danish. Even when government policies change, for example when "Hviderusland" became "Belarus," acceptance in dictionaries, media, and schools can take time. This creates a gap between political decisions and everyday language use.

Why do official names like "Türkiye" differ from everyday names such as "Tyrkiet" in Danish?

Official names may be promoted for branding or diplomatic reasons, but everyday usage depends on linguistic familiarity. In Danish, "Tyrkiet" remains the standard, even though the Turkish government officially uses "Türkiye." This shows how country name changes in translation do not always spread evenly across languages.

How can organizations manage country name updates effectively?

Consistency is key. Businesses and institutions often create translation glossaries or update CRM systems so all departments use the same terms. For example, a database might still contain "Hviderusland" while new contracts must say "Belarus," which makes system-wide updates essential.

How do translators handle differences in timing when name changes are adopted?

Implementation often happens in stages. Governments may adopt a new name quickly, but dictionaries, media, and the general public may take longer to follow. Translators need to stay updated, follow guidance from both language councils and political authorities, and advise clients on how to handle transitions smoothly.

Are there international standards for recording former country names?

Yes. ISO 3166-3 provides specific codes for countries that have changed names. This ensures clarity in legal records, databases, and multilingual translations, making it easier to track historical and current usage.

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Need help navigating country name changes in translation for your Danish or international content? I’m Jonathan, a freelance Danish translator and localization specialist, and I can help you ensure your communication stays culturally accurate, politically sensitive, and effective across markets. Reach out and let me hear more about what you need.