₦airaland Forum

What Is The Longest Country Name In The World? Top 5 Countries with the Longest Names

Longest Country Name in the World: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland officially holds the record for the world's longest country name. This extensive title, reflecting its historical union of distinct nations—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—boasts 56 characters, symbolising its complex formation and enduring monarchy.

Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu. It’s not just a combination of random alphabets; that’s the name of a hill in New Zealand. It holds the record for the longest place name in the world. It has 85 letters! Isn’t that fascinating?

Now, if you think about countries, some nations have official names that are surprisingly long. For example, the full name of the UK is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

That’s 56 characters including spaces. Another example is the Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati. These names are rarely used in everyday conversation, but they are the official titles.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 5 countries with the longest official names by letter count. We’ll explore what these names mean, why they’re so long, and how they reflect each country’s history, culture, and identity.

List of Countries with the Longest Names by Letter Count
According to the World Population Review and WorldAtlas, here’s the list of the countries with the longest names by letter count.

Rank: 1
Country Name: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Character Count: 56

Rank: 2
Country Name: Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati
Character Count: 46

Rank: 3
Country Name: Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
Character Count: 45

Rank: 4
Country Name: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Character Count: 41

Rank: 5
Country Name: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Character Count: 41

Rank: 6
Country Name: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Character Count: 40

6) Federal Democratic Republic Of Ethiopia

• Letter Count: 41
• Continent: Africa
• Capital: Addis Ababa
• Population: 135.47 million
• Currency: Birr (ETB)
• Official Languages: Amharic, Afar, Oromo, Somali, Tigrinya

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa. Its extensive name reflects its political structure and historical evolution.

Ethiopia has many hidden gems, such as the Danakil Depression, the world's hottest place, and Lalibela, home to Ethiopia's mysterious rock-hewn churches known as New Jerusalem.

The country has a long and proud history as an independent nation, avoiding colonial rule. The "Federal Democratic Republic" part of its name signifies its post-1991 political transformation into a multi-ethnic federation with a democratic governance system.

5) Democratic People's Republic Of Korea

• Letter Count: 32
• Continent: Asia
• Capital: Pyongyang
• Population: 26.5 million
• Currency: KPW (North Korean Won)
• Official Language: Korean (Munhwaŏ)

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, often known as North Korea, is a country in East Asia that occupies the northern half of the Korean Peninsula.

Its elaborate names reflect the self-proclaimed political ideology. The "Korea" is derived from the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled the peninsula from 10 to 13.

The "Democratic People's Public" section of the name claims to be a democratic state representing people's will. However, it is internationally recognised as a totalitarian dictatorship.

4) The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

• Letter Count: 41
• Continent: Europe
• Capital: Skopje
• Population: 1.83 million
• Currency: Macedonian Denar
• Official Languages: Macedonian, Albanian

The country "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" earned its lengthy name due to a historical dispute with Greece. When it declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it chose "Republic of Macedonia".

However, Greece has a northern region also named Macedonia and feared territorial claims. To avoid conflict and gain international recognition, especially within the United Nations, a provisional name was adopted: "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia".

This extended name served as a diplomatic compromise, indicating its past association with Yugoslavia while acknowledging the ongoing name controversy, making it one of the longest country names globally. In 2019, the country officially changed its name to "Republic of North Macedonia" to resolve the dispute.

3) Democratic Republic Of São Tomé And Príncipe

• Letter Count: 40
• Continent: Africa
• Capital: São Tomé
• Population: 240 thousand
• Currency: Dobra (STN)
• Official Language: Portuguese

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe is an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. Its name reflects both its geography and political system. "São Tomé" (Saint Thomas) was named by Portuguese explorers who discovered the island on the feast day of Saint Thomas.

"Príncipe" (Prince's Island) was named in honour of the Prince of Portugal, who received customs duties from the island's sugar production. The "Democratic Republic" prefix refers to its post-independence political structure, which was established in 1975 after liberation from Portuguese colonial rule.

2) Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati

• Letter Count: 46
• Continent: Europe
• Capital: London
• Population: 69.53 million
• Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)
• Official Language: English

The Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati is an island nation located in the central Pacific Ocean, straddling the equator and the International Date Line. Its extensive official name reflects its post-colonial status and self-determination.

The name "Kiribati" is the local pronunciation of "Gilberts", a reference to the Gilbert Islands, which were named by Captain Thomas Gilbert, a British naval officer who explored the area in the late 18th century.

1) The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland

• Letter Count: 56
• Continent: Europe
• Capital: London
• Population: 69.53 million
• Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)
• Official Language: English

The United Kingdom, often shortened to the UK, is an island nation located off the northwestern coast of mainland Europe.

It consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The comprehensive official name reflects the unique historical formation: "The UK" refers to the largest island that includes England, Scotland and Wales, while "Northern Ireland" is the northeastern part of the island of Ireland.

Source: https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/longest-country-name-in-the-world-1820000195-1

Wow, that's great write up and we need some things like this always

So ironic that North Korea is called People's Republic, when the country is literally anti-people

That's great
The name go too plenty when you want to fill country of origin abi bawo?

Noted........................

..................................................................

I should have been FTC if not for fulfilling the additional characters required

Abeg all the prefix and titles no suppose follow for the name.

Example, we know ETHIOPIA (8 letters) not
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, Biafra and Arewanistan

I m from Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

Capital of Republic of Kiribati is Tarawa and not London.

phr0nesis:
So ironic that North Korea is called People's Republic, when the country literally anti-people

Does this one know his left from right or is it just what the evil Western Media tells you?

Federal Republic of Nigeria comprising Biafra, Oduduwa, Niger Delta, Islamic North of Arewa nations and other small minority clans united.


How many words is that?

So ironic that North Korea starts with "democratic"

There's nothing democratic in North Korea...Kim jung un is worshipped like a god and all religion/freedom of opinions is baned.

The Federal Grand Republic of Nigeria and almost democratic, semi-federal republic of Nigeria.

This one fit reach 70 letters o.👆

FYROM ( Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia ) is no longer official. After their dispute with Greece concerning the usage of the name was resolved,
they adopted North Macedonia

GanagiBitrus:
Abeg all the prefix and titles no suppose follow for the name.

Example, we know ETHIOPIA (8 letters) not
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

No mind the werey dem...


Always counting nonsense. The Great and Wonderful Most Populous Federal Republic of Nigeria. That should be over 60 characters..How about that? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Point of correction OP, Kiribati is not in Europe and doesn't have population of 69.3m. I guess you mistakenly used UK stats for them.
Kiribati is small island in Oceania though colonized by Britain and their population is 120,000 as of 2021.

I must be interest calling North Korea "Democrstic" and added "Prople" it is an insult on democracy because nothing like democracy in North Korea and its anti people infact anti human country.

Akanoaaa:
Capital of Republic of Kiribati is Tarawa and not London.

Thank you, and that's not only the information you missed. Kiribati is not in Europe neither are they 63.9m in population.

I must be honest calling North Korea "Democrstic" and added "Prople" it is an insult on democracy because nothing like democracy in North Korea and its anti people infact anti human country...

GanagiBitrus:
Abeg all the prefix and titles no suppose follow for the name.

Example, we know ETHIOPIA (8 letters) not
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Exactly o. I came Into this thread expecting to see Liechtenstein or something like that...

What of federal Republic of ewedu, bitter leaf and kunun of emilokan . na joke o

SeverusSnape:
Exactly o. I came Into this thread expecting to see Liechtenstein or something like that...

It just doesn't make any sensible sense to me..... Go to Heathrow Airport... You'll only see "Welcome to The Great Britain" all the rest are bullshit..!

comradee1248:
I m from Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu

She you no sabi word spacing ni?

Tau ma ta whaka ta ngi ha nga ko au au o ta ma te a tu ri pu ka ka pi ki mau nga ho ro nu ku po kai whe nu a ki ta na ta hu

The west African cow republic of Nigeria

Is another long name

Without prefixes, many of these countries do not actually have long names. The longest named countries are usually in Asia and The Oceania.

"Democratic" Republic of Korea.

Seuns forty character content should be in the top ten.

phr0nesis:
So ironic that North Korea is called People's Republic, when the country literally anti-people

Who told you north Korea is anti people?
Western media?
Yet, the west holidays there.

Nairaland bots should also be targeting useless posts. This qualifies as one of them.

Kalulu44:
Thank you, and that's not only the information you missed. Kiribati is not in Europe neither are they 63.9m in population.

Yeah, they are in Oceania and their population is around 150k.