Why did the name of Ukraine’s capital change from Kiev to Kyiv?

The name of Ukraine’s capital city has been a subject of debate and discussion, as it has undergone several changes in its pronunciation over the years. In this article, we will explore the history of the name of the city, the reasons behind the pronunciation changes, and the current official spelling and pronunciation of the city.

The History of the Name

1. The city of Kiev (Kyiv) has been known by various names throughout its history. The earliest recorded name of the city is “Kyi,” which is thought to have been named after the legendary founder of the city, Kyi.
2. The city was later known as “Kiev,” which is the traditional Russian and Polish spelling of the city’s name.
3. During the Soviet period, the official spelling of the city’s name was changed to “Kyyiv,” which is the Ukrainian transliteration of the Russian “Kiev.”
4. After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Ukrainian government officially restored the traditional spelling of the city’s name as “Kyiv.”

Why is the capital of Ukraine spelled Kyiv and not Kiev?

Reasons Behind the Pronunciation Changes

1. The pronunciation changes of the city’s name are closely tied to the political and historical events that have occurred in the region.
2. During the Soviet period, the use of the Russian language and spellings was heavily promoted, which led to the official spelling of the city’s name being changed to “Kyyiv.”
3. After Ukraine’s independence in 1991, the government sought to assert its cultural and linguistic identity, which led to the official restoration of the traditional spelling of the city’s name as “Kyiv.”

Current Official Spelling and Pronunciation

1. The current official spelling of the city’s name is “Kyiv,” which is the traditional Ukrainian transliteration of the city’s name.
2. The official pronunciation of the city’s name is “Keev,” which is the traditional Ukrainian pronunciation of the city’s name.

Conclusion

The name of Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv (Kiev), has undergone several changes in its pronunciation over the years. These changes are closely tied to the political and historical events that have occurred in the region, reflecting the country’s ongoing effort to assert its cultural and linguistic identity. Today, the official spelling and pronunciation of the city’s name is “Kyiv” and “Keev” respectively, reflecting the country’s tradition and identity.