7 Countries With Real Names You Didn’t Know

Did you know Sweden isn’t really called Sweden? Or that Japan goes by a different name entirely?

When you think of Sweden, Greece, or Japan, you’re probably using the names taught in school or used on maps. But what if we told you those aren’t their real names? Here are seven countries whose official or local names may surprise you and why it matters.

eSwatini (Swaziland) On the 50th anniversary of Swaziland’s independence, King Mswati III made a bold move by officially renaming the country to the Kingdom of eSwatini, which means “place of the Swazi.” The former name, Swaziland, was a mix of Swazi and English, and many citizens felt it didn’t represent their heritage.

This change aligns with a broader movement of African countries reverting to indigenous names post independence. The rebranding affects several institutions, including the constitution, defense force, police, and universities.

To settle a long standing name dispute with Greece, Macedonia agreed to change its official name to the Republic of North Macedonia. The issue stemmed from Greece’s own region named Macedonia, leading to political tension and confusion.

Although some citizens feel this name change weakens their national identity, the new name is seen as a step toward joining NATO and the European Union.

Sweden’s (Sverige)What the world calls Sweden, locals call Sverige. This name evolved from the older terms “Swerike” and “Svearike,” which date back to the 13th century and refer to the land of the Svea people in Svealand.

While “Sweden” became the international norm due to Dutch influence, many Swedes hold “Sverige” as a more authentic identifier of their country.

Japan (Nippon or Nihon)Although most of the world says “Japan,” the Japanese themselves never do. Locally, the country is known as Nippon or Nihon both written with the same characters meaning “origin of the sun.”

These names emerged in the 7th century, replacing earlier names like “Wa” and “Yamato.” The exact origin of the English name “Japan” is unclear, but some believe it may have traveled through trade routes via Portuguese or Chinese dialects.

Greece (Hellenic Republic)Ancient Greece and modern Greece share a deep rooted identity. Locally, the country is referred to as Hellas or Hellada, and its official name is the Hellenic Republic (Ellinikí Dimokratía in Greek).

The name “Greece” was coined by the Romans, who called the area “Graecia.” The term stuck in English, but the people of Greece identify themselves as Hellenes, a nod to their ancient ancestry.

Finland’s (Suomi)In Finnish, the country known internationally as Finland is actually called Suomi. Interestingly, the Finnish language originally didn’t even include the letter “F.”

The name “Finland” likely came from Swedish influence, as Sweden ruled Finland for over 700 years. Some historians believe “Suomi” may be derived from “suomaa,” meaning “swampland,” or “suomu,” meaning “fish scale,” possibly referencing clothing made from fish skins.

Czech Republic’s (Czechia)Although the Czech Republic is widely used, its official short name is Czechia. The country adopted the short form in 2016 to make international communication simpler.

After the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia in 1993, the Czech Republic emerged as an independent state.

Like “The Netherlands” has “Holland,” Czechia was meant to be a catchier, less formal version but it hasn’t yet caught on globally.