Africa, with its rich history and diverse cultures, has seen many of its nations undergo name changes over time. These name changes have often been influenced by historical events such as colonial rule, independence, political shifts, and cultural renaissances. Below is a list of African countries that changed their names and the reasons behind these transformations.
1. Gold Coast to Ghana (1957)
The Gold Coast was a British colony known for its rich reserves of gold. Upon gaining independence on March 6, 1957, the nation chose the name Ghana to reflect its historical ties to the ancient Ghana Empire, which was a powerful West African civilization.
2. Upper Volta to Burkina Faso (1984)
After gaining independence from France in 1960, the country retained the colonial name Upper Volta. In 1984, then-President Thomas Sankara renamed it Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Incorruptible People” in the local Mossi and Dyula languages, as part of his revolutionary reforms to promote national identity and pride.
3. Dahomey to Benin (1975)
Dahomey was a former French colony named after an ancient kingdom in the region. In 1975, the government changed the country’s name to Benin to avoid favoritism towards any single ethnic group, as Dahomey was originally linked to a specific kingdom. The name Benin was inspired by the historic Benin Empire, which once thrived in present-day Nigeria.
4. Zaire to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997)
The country was originally called the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after independence in 1960. In 1971, President Mobutu Sese Seko renamed it Zaire, meaning “The River that Swallows All Rivers,” to promote African identity and reject colonial names. However, following Mobutu’s ousting in 1997, the country reverted to Democratic Republic of the Congo, restoring its original post-independence name.
5. Bechuanaland to Botswana (1966)
Bechuanaland was a British protectorate before gaining independence in 1966. The new name, Botswana, was derived from the country’s dominant ethnic group, the Tswana people, symbolizing self-rule and national unity.
6. Nyasaland to Malawi (1964)
Under British colonial rule, the region was called Nyasaland, referencing Lake Nyasa (now Lake Malawi). Upon independence in 1964, the country adopted the name Malawi, believed to have originated from the Maravi Kingdom, an ancient state that once flourished in the area.
7. Rhodesia to Zimbabwe (1980)
Rhodesia was named after British colonialist Cecil Rhodes. Following a long liberation struggle, the country gained independence in 1980 and renamed itself Zimbabwe, after the ancient Great Zimbabwe civilization, symbolizing African heritage and sovereignty.
8. South West Africa to Namibia (1990)
South West Africa was a German colony and later came under South African control. When it gained independence in 1990, it adopted the name Namibia, derived from the Namib Desert, as a symbol of national identity and break from colonial rule.
9. Basutoland to Lesotho (1966)
A British protectorate before gaining independence in 1966, Basutoland was renamed Lesotho, meaning “Land of the Sotho People,” to emphasize the identity of the Basotho ethnic group.
10. Swaziland to Eswatini (2018)
In 2018, King Mswati III officially changed the name of Swaziland to Eswatini, meaning “Land of the Swazis” in the local language. The change aimed to reclaim indigenous identity and eliminate confusion with Switzerland.
11. Tanganyika and Zanzibar to Tanzania (1964)
After gaining independence from Britain, Tanganyika merged with Zanzibar in 1964 to form Tanzania. The name was created by combining "Tan" from Tanganyika and "Zan" from Zanzibar, reflecting the unity of the two territories.
12. South Sudan (2011)
Following decades of conflict, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Though not a name change in the traditional sense, the new country’s name distinguished it from Sudan and acknowledged its cultural and ethnic diversity.
13. Portuguese Colonies: Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe
- Portuguese Guinea to Guinea-Bissau (1973): To differentiate itself from Guinea (Conakry), the country added "Bissau," the name of its capital.
- Cape Verde to Cabo Verde (2013): The official name was changed to Cabo Verde to reflect the Portuguese pronunciation and linguistic heritage.
- São Tomé and Príncipe retained its colonial name after independence but represents the two main islands that make up the country.
Conclusion
Name changes in Africa have often been driven by efforts to reclaim cultural heritage, assert national identity, and break free from colonial legacies. These changes reflect the deep historical roots and aspirations of the people, shaping the continent’s modern landscape. As Africa continues to evolve, the significance of names will remain a powerful tool in defining national identity and history.
