Kyiv, not Kiev: How Ukraine is Reclaiming Its Name on the World Map

The name of a street, a city, a region, or even an entire country is not just a set of letters for geographical labeling. A name is, first and foremost, a historical marker and a symbol of cultural or political influence over a specific geographic region. For decades, the world used the transliteration "Kiev," imposed by the Russian Empire and the USSR. Today, the transition to Kyiv is not merely a change in spelling, but a global act of decolonization and the restoration of self-identity.

Unfortunately, many Russian-language toponyms remain deeply rooted in the daily lives of Ukrainians. However, a positive trend persists as Ukrainians intensify the removal of Russian toponyms.

What are Toponyms and Why are They So Important?

Toponyms (from the Greek words topos — place and onoma — name) are the proper names of geographical objects: cities, villages, rivers, mountains, or even individual streets. These are not just coordinates on a map; they are historical markers that preserve the memory of the peoples who lived there, the events that took place, and the natural features of the land. Toponyms possess several key factors that transform this concept from a mere linguistic rule into a vital political and state-building process:

1. Identity Markers: A city's name answers the question: "Whose land is this?" When we say Kyiv instead of Kiev, we assert the Ukrainian identity of the capital, casting off colonial layers.
2. Historical Archive: Toponyms are often the only source of information about vanished landscapes or ancient professions. For example, names ending in -pil (Ternopil, Boryspil) indicate the continuity of European urban culture (from the Greek polis — city or state).
3. Soft Power Tool: In international politics, using correct toponyms is an acknowledgment of a state's agency. This is why the #KyivNotKiev campaign became a symbol of the struggle for diplomatic recognition of Ukraine as an independent player, rather than an appendage of the Russian empire.
4. Legal and Navigational Accuracy: In today's digital world, the unification of names in databases (Google Maps, IATA aviation systems) is critical for logistics, security, and international law.

Why are there so many Russian Toponyms in Ukraine?

Ukraine was under the occupation of various empires for centuries—first the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, then the Russian Empire, and finally the Soviet Union. Even today, Russia attempts to seize Ukraine with the goal of restoring the Russian empire.

During these occupational regimes, foreign authorities tried to erase Ukrainian identity as much as possible. The language was banned not only at the state level but even in everyday life. The rights of Ukrainians were severely restricted. Culture was prohibited, and historical relics were appropriated by Russia as its "authentic historical finds." The national intelligentsia was executed, and an artificial famine (Holodomor) was created for the peasantry.

Consequently, Russian authorities sought to assimilate Ukraine to the maximum extent, and toponyms were a primary tool of influence. This critical situation regarding toponyms affects not only Ukraine but also other countries formerly occupied by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, etc. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, these countries actively implemented national reforms and quickly rid themselves of Russian toponyms. In Ukraine, the situation was more complex due to stronger Russian influence. Nevertheless, the process of Ukrainizing toponyms has begun and continues even today.

From Colonial Shadows to National Freedom: The Erasure of Russian Toponyms

Due to the massive Russian toponymization of Ukraine, a distinct socio-political process called "decolonization" has emerged. This process symbolizes the cleansing of the cultural and geographical space from imperial layers. It is not just a change of terms or names, but a restoration of justice.

The restoration of authenticity began in 1991. In 2015, the decolonization process intensified, and monuments a

ssociated with the Soviet occupation began to be removed across Ukraine. By 2023, decolonization was codified into law at the state level. A full ban was established on the use of Russian-language or Soviet names in geographical titles. As a result, over 25,000 toponymic objects have been renamed, and thousands of monuments linked to Russia have been dismantled. Today, the process continues, and the reclamation of historical heritage does not stop even under the conditions of Russia's war against Ukraine.

After 2022, major Ukrainian cities began reclaiming their authentic names. For example, the city of "Artemivsk," located in the Donetsk region, discarded its Soviet name and returned to its historical name — "Bakhmut." One of Ukraine’s largest cities, "Dnipro," also restored its historical name; it was previously called "Dnipropetrovsk," where the suffix "-petrovsk" served as a marker of Soviet occupation.

The Linguistic Aspect: Why Transliteration Matters

The Soviet authorities were brutal and deceptive toward Ukraine and the international community. The destruction of Ukrainian identity through toponymization occurred both inside and outside the country. Soviet authorities altered transliterations based on the Russian language. Many authentic Ukrainian names began to sound with a Russian accent within the international community.

Transliteration from the Ukrainian language is the voice of Ukraine itself. For example, Kharkiv reflects Ukrainian phonetics, whereas Kharkov is an echo of Russian pronunciation fixed in the English language through colonial mediation. Even today, many foreigners unconsciously use Russian narratives by saying "KIEV" instead of the correct "KYIV."

Mini-Glossary for Foreigners:

1. Toponym — the name of any geographical object.
2. Hydronym — the name of a body of water (e.g., the Dnipro River).
3. Oikonym — the name of a settlement (city or village).

The International Front: The "#KyivNotKiev" Campaign

Replacing a Russian toponym is difficult even within Ukraine, but outside its borders, it is a monumental task. For a long time, international diplomacy and society used the Russian toponym for Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. For years, Russia shaped Ukraine's image in international politics as its "historical part," and thus many Ukrainian historical events were brazenly appropriated by Russia. Even today, due to a vast amount of propaganda, many misconceptions about Ukraine exist in international society.

However, the positioning of Ukraine in international politics has begun to change, and a significant victory has been achieved. Thanks to digital diplomacy and the efforts of thousands of activists, the world has begun to hear Ukraine.

Google Maps, BBC, CNN, and the world's leading airports have changed the spelling of Ukraine's capital from "Kiev" to "Kyiv." When volunteers and expats use the correct names, they help the world see Ukraine as an independent subject, rather than part of a "post-Soviet space." The UN and international organizations are officially adopting Ukrainian toponymy as the sole standard.

Checklist for Foreigners: 5 Steps to Correct Toponymy

In these times of Russia's difficult war against Ukraine, it is vital to support Ukrainian society. Pronouncing Ukrainian toponyms correctly is a personal way to support Ukrainians within the international community. Follow our checklist to help eliminate Russian propaganda and return historical heritage to Ukraine:

1. Check your maps: Ensure your digital resources are updated to 2024–2026 standards.
2. Learn the "27 major administrative cities of Ukraine": Memorize the correct spelling of cities: Lviv, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia.
3. Pay attention to suffixes: The Ukrainian ending -pil (from the Greek "polis" - city) is authentic (Ternopil, Boryspil), unlike the Russian "-pol."
4. Listen to local speakers: Practice your pronunciation to feel the softness of the sounds and the unique energy of the Ukrainian language.
5. Be an ambassador: Politely correct colleagues, explaining that behind every letter stands a history of the struggle for freedom.

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