Ever heard of a country that changed its name to reflect freedom and a new identity? Meet Burkina Faso.

Before 1984, the West African country now known as **Burkina Faso** was called **Upper Volta**. The name Upper Volta came from the Volta River, which has three main branches (Black Volta, White Volta, and Red Volta) running through the country. This name was given during the time of French colonial rule.

In 1960, Upper Volta gained independence from France. But even after independence, the name still reflected the country’s colonial past. In 1983, a new president, **Thomas Sankara**, came into power. He was a strong supporter of African unity, self-reliance, and cultural pride. One year later, in 1984, he decided to change the country’s name from Upper Volta to **Burkina Faso**.

The new name, “Burkina Faso,” combines words from two local languages. "Burkina" means "honest" or "upright" in the Mossi language, and "Faso" means "fatherland" in the Dioula language. So together, the name means “Land of Honest People.”

This name change was not just symbolic. It represented a new beginning and a stronger national identity that reflected the culture and values of the people living there.

Today, Burkina Faso is known for its rich traditions, music, art, and history. Although it faces economic and political challenges, the country continues to work toward progress while staying proud of its identity and independence.

Understanding changes like this helps us see how countries evolve and how names can carry deep historical and cultural meanings.