**The Shift from “Kiev” to “Kyiv”**
For many years, English speakers referred to Ukraine‘s capital as Kiev. But this name was actually a Russian version of the city’s name. The correct pronunciation in Ukrainian is keeiv.
**A History of Imperial Influence**
Until recently, most Ukrainian places and people were transliterated according to their Russian versions. This was because Russia had controlled Ukraine for many years. Even after Ukraine gained independence in 1991, it took time for the world to recognize its own name spellings.
**The Shift Gains Momentum**
In 2014, when Russia invaded Ukraine’s east and annexed Crimea, the world began to pay more attention to Ukraine’s struggle for cultural and linguistic sovereignty. By 2022, most major news outlets, academic publications, and government bodies had started using Ukrainian transliterations of place names.
**Where Does the Name “Kyiv” Come From?**
The city of Kyiv has a long history dating back over 2,000 years. It was officially founded in 482 AD. Various theories exist about its founding, but one legend credits four royal siblings of an Eastern Slavic tribe with establishing the city.
**Breaking Free from Russian Influence**
Kyivan Rus, a medieval state that spanned eastern and northern Europe, once made Kyiv its capital and cultural center. When Russia took control of Ukraine, it sought to Russify the country and its language. This distorted the roots of the Ukrainian name “Kyiv”. By adopting Ukrainian transliterations, the world is acknowledging Ukraine’s struggle for sovereignty.
**A New Era**
Social media has played a big role in encouraging foreigners to use Ukrainian names. The #ReformUA campaign was launched by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discourage referring to Ukraine as “the Ukraine” and to promote using correct spellings like Kyiv instead of Kiev. Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 brought global attention to Ukraine, prompting the widespread adoption of “Ukrainian” spellings.
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