Video narration
Three countries, three official name changes—and three reasons why names matter. First: Myanmar. For decades it was internationally known as Burma, but in 1989 the official English name changed to Myanmar. Some governments and organizations still use “Burma” in certain contexts, so you may see both. Next: Eswatini. In 2018, King Mswati III announced that Swaziland would officially become Eswatini, meaning “land of the Swazis” in the local language. And in Europe: North Macedonia. In 2019, the country officially adopted the name North Macedonia after an agreement with Greece, helping resolve a long-running naming dispute. These changes show how country names reflect history, culture, and identity. Which rename surprised you most—Myanmar, Eswatini, or North Macedonia? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe to World Decoded.