Since 2022 the country of Turkey’s official English language name is Türkiye.
Why Turkey Is Now Officially Türkiye: The Story Behind the Nation’s Rebranding
In June 2022, the United Nations made a historic update at Turkey’s request: the country formerly known internationally as “Turkey” officially became Türkiye (pronounced Tur-key-yeh) in all languages. This bold move represents far more than a spelling tweak—it’s a strategic cultural reclamation with deep significance for national identity and global branding.
The Historical Context: From “Türkiye” to “Turkey” and Back Again
For centuries, outsiders referred to the Anatolian peninsula using variations of:
- Türkiye (Turkish endonym meaning “Land of the Turks”)
- Turkey (English adaptation)
- Turquie (French)
- Türkei (German)
While Turks always called their nation Türkiye Cumhuriyeti (Republic of Türkiye), the anglicized “Turkey” became entrenched internationally through colonial-era maps and diplomatic documents. The disconnect between the country’s self-identification and its foreign names grew increasingly problematic.
Why the Change Happened in 2022: 3 Key Reasons
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government spearheaded the rebranding campaign to:
- Reclaim Cultural Identity: “Türkiye” better reflects Turkish spelling/pronunciation (ü = /ue/, ye = /yeh/).
- Avoid Unwanted Associations: English dictionaries list “turkey” as both the bird and “a失败的人或事物”.
- Strengthen Global Branding: Align international perception with domestic identity, similar to how:
- Côte d’Ivoire rejected “Ivory Coast”
- Eswatini replaced “Swaziland”
How the Name Change Became Official
- June 1, 2022: UN Secretary-General accepts Türkiye’s formal request
- UNTERM Registration: Türkiye replaces Turkey in UN databases
- Global Recognition: US State Department, EU institutions, and media outlets gradually adopted the new name
Practical Implications: What the Change Means
- Passports & Official Docs: “Republic of Türkiye” appears on government materials
- Branding Campaigns: Tourism Ministry uses “#HelloTürkiye”
- Travel Considerations:
- Airlines/Flight Search: Use “Türkiye” for bookings
- Maps: Google Maps displays both names during transition
- No Visa/Policy Changes: Only nomenclature is affected
How to Pronounce Türkiye Correctly
Phonetic Breakdown:
- Tür = Say “tour” with rounded lips (ü sound)
- ki = Like “key”
- ye = Pronounce “yeh” (as in “yes”)
🎧 Listen to the correct pronunciation from TRT World.
Who Uses the New Name? Media Guidelines
| Source | Policy |
|---|---|
| BBC | Uses “Türkiye” after initial mention with note |
| AP Style | “Use Turkey unless in direct quotations” |
| Al Jazeera | Switched fully to Türkiye |
Best Practice: Use “Türkiye” when discussing post-2022 contexts; clarify with “formerly Turkey” on first reference.
The Bigger Picture: Why Names Matter
This change exemplifies how decolonization continues reshaping global terminology. Like Mumbai (vs Bombay) and Myanmar (vs Burma), Türkiye asserts sovereignty over its international identity—a move celebrated by 85% of Turks in government polls.
Key Takeaway: While adjusting to “Türkiye” may take time, using the country’s self-chosen name shows cultural respect in our interconnected world.
Ready to update your content? Double-check spellings in travel guides, academic papers, and business contracts to reflect Türkiye’s official rebranding.
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Update your references to “Turkey” where applicable—this is more than a spelling update; it’s a nation rewriting its global narrative.
