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Old Names/New Names Trivia

Old Names/New Names Trivia Quizzes

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Fun Trivia
22 quizzes and 280 trivia questions.
1.
Theres a Place
  There's a Place   top quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
...whose name has changed with the end of colonial rule. How many of these African nations do you recognise?
Average, 10 Qns, looney_tunes, Oct 10 16
Average
looney_tunes editor
1285 plays
2.
Out of Africa
  Out of Africa   best quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
From 1957 onwards, France and the United Kingdom began divesting themselves of colonial possessions in Africa. Can you match these former colonies with the names of the independent countries they became?
Easier, 10 Qns, Red_John, Oct 28 22
Easier
Red_John
Oct 28 22
276 plays
3.
  Country Name Changes   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Do you know the old names for countries that have changed their names? See if you can match today's names with their older ones.
Easier, 10 Qns, shvdotr, Jan 20 19
Recommended for grades: 5,6,7,8
Easier
shvdotr gold member
Jan 20 19
2344 plays
4.
  Historical Geography   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Times change and so do the names of cities and countries. Here are the names of some former place names around the world. What are they called now?
Average, 10 Qns, newfangle, Feb 11 14
Average
newfangle
12011 plays
5.
  The City Formerly Known As...   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Rome may have been "the city" by definition, but that did not stop the Romans from founding a host of other cities all over the Empire. How many modern city names can you match to the original Latin ones?
Easier, 10 Qns, LadyNym, Feb 01 18
Easier
LadyNym gold member
Feb 01 18
885 plays
6.
  Former or Alternate Names of Nations    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Do you know the former names or alternate names for these countries?
Average, 10 Qns, bigwoo, Jan 20 19
Average
bigwoo gold member
Jan 20 19
10704 plays
7.
  Queen Elizabeth Tours: Old and New Places' Names    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Over time, names change. In this quiz we will see what changes have occurred in some places visited by Queen Elizabeth II.
Easier, 10 Qns, masfon, Jul 28 22
Easier
masfon gold member
Jul 28 22
633 plays
8.
  Old Name New Name    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Throughout history, the names of many places in the world have changed for one reason or another. Can you make the connection?
Average, 10 Qns, jokester13, Jun 10 12
Average
jokester13
12359 plays
9.
  An Old Postcard Album editor best quiz   best quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
An avid deltiologist might be both happy and a bit confused to find an album full of old postcards under the Christmas tree. Help out with the confusion by matching the greetings on the cards with the modern day country where the cards originated.
Average, 10 Qns, spanishliz, Sep 28 23
Average
spanishliz editor
Sep 28 23
1017 plays
10.
  Former Names of Cities    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Some cities have had one or two former names. All you have to do is match these well known cities with one of their former names.
Easier, 10 Qns, zambesi, Nov 27 20
Easier
zambesi
Nov 27 20
769 plays
trivia question Quick Question
What nation was once known as Ceylon?

From Quiz "Former or Alternate Names of Nations"




11.
  Once It Was Called....   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
This quiz is about the many places around the world that are called something other than their original name.
Difficult, 15 Qns, bullymom, Mar 15 21
Difficult
bullymom
Mar 15 21
10288 plays
12.
  Old Places, New Names    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about places that have changed their name at some point in their history. Enjoy!
Average, 10 Qns, hews, Jan 20 19
Average
hews
Jan 20 19
7155 plays
13.
  Roman Place Names   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
Under emperor Trajanus, the Roman Empire stretched from Britain to the Caucasus and from Morocco to Egypt. Do you know the modern names of the cities and places in this empire?
Tough, 20 Qns, Gnomjas, Apr 09 23
Tough
Gnomjas
Apr 09 23
5974 plays
14.
  Origin of Names   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
I made it a little harder than it would be by eliminating multiple choice. Much of this has to do with language roots, so if you are not a linguist, this might be difficult. I still recomend you try.
Average, 10 Qns, metzoham, Oct 04 23
Average
metzoham
Oct 04 23
8432 plays
15.
  Old Names For New Countries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Colonialism and independence have seen many place names change over the years - can you match them?
Average, 10 Qns, bridget3, Jan 20 19
Average
bridget3
Jan 20 19
9050 plays
16.
  Mumbai Duck and New Amsterdam Strip    
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Simply match the name of the city to its previous name. For example Mumbai used to be called Bombay.
Average, 10 Qns, 480154st, Jan 20 19
Average
480154st gold member
Jan 20 19
238 plays
17.
  Where Was That?   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
Old maps may show countries by strange names, names that are now only a memory. Twenty-five of those names are shown here, and all we ask of you is to put them back on the map. So, where were these places, and what are they called now?
Tough, 25 Qns, engels, Nov 14 21
Tough
engels
Nov 14 21
1150 plays
18.
  Former British Colonies    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
I want the name of a former British colony, protectorate or dependency. I give you its capital and sometimes a clue. Major clue: None of these territories have the same name today.
Difficult, 25 Qns, author, Apr 13 20
Difficult
author
Apr 13 20
4162 plays
19.
  Roman Cities...Today!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Many cities founded by the Romans still exist, although few of their ancient buildings survive. After I provide the Roman name of the city and a clue or two, please select its modern name from the choices given.
Easier, 10 Qns, drx3dan, Jul 12 19
Easier
drx3dan
Jul 12 19
480 plays
20.
  Former Non-British Colonies    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
I want the name of a former non-British colony, dependency, trust territory or the like. I will give you the capital, but no hints. Only clue: This area is not called the same any more.
Tough, 25 Qns, author, Oct 28 22
Tough
author
Oct 28 22
3426 plays
21.
  Ancient Names of Cities and Countries    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about the ancient names of cities and countries.
Average, 10 Qns, rohan007, Mar 03 18
Average
rohan007
Mar 03 18
1862 plays
22.
  Geographical Renamings    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about countries around the world which have been renamed.
Average, 10 Qns, ThisGlows, Sep 30 15
Average
ThisGlows
1397 plays

Old Names/New Names Trivia Questions
1. In 1947, the English royal family made a trip to the Southern African Dominion, when they visited Southern Rhodesia. In 1991, Queen Elizabeth II visited this country once more, which by then was known by another name. What is this new name?

From Quiz Queen Elizabeth Tours: Old and New Places' Names

Answer: Zimbabwe

Southern Rhodesia ceased to be a British colony in 1965, when it declared its independence, but there were 15 years of great turmoil until April 18, 1980, when a peace treaty was signed and the country became part of the Commonwealth of Nations as the Republic of Zimbabwe. Its capital, Harare, formerly known as Salisbury, is the largest and most important city in the country. Zimbabwe is a landlocked country bordered by Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa, located between the Zambesi and Limpopo rivers. The economy is based on mining and agriculture. Zimbabwe was expelled from the Commonwealth in 2003 for human rights violations.

2. The Roman name of this Italian city was Bononia. A tasty and rather bulky sausage bears its modern name.

From Quiz Roman Cities...Today!

Answer: Bologna

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. It is also home to the oldest university in the Western world. Bologna is nicknamed "La dotta, la grassa, la rossa" that is, the learned one (for reasons obvious to you now), the fat one (because the local food is excellent), and the red one (because it tends to vote with the left).

3. Which city had "Shahjahanabad" as one of its ancient names?

From Quiz Ancient Names of Cities and Countries

Answer: Delhi

The city of Delhi was ruled by almost all the major dynasties of north India one-by-one. Every time it came into new hands, its name changed. First it was believed to be the capital of the Pandavas, when it was called Indraprastha. Then it came under the Tomara rulers, with the name Dhilli. Then it was ruled by the various dynasties of the Sultanate. It had the names Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firoz Shah Kotla, Jahapanah, and finally it became the capital of the Mogul emperor Shah Jahan, who renamed it Shahjahanabad. When it became the capital of British India, it was reconstructed by the architect Edward Lutyens, and got its modern name, New Delhi, a modest distance away from old Delhi.

4. Which country or area used to be known as Abyssinia?

From Quiz Where Was That?

Answer: Ethiopia

The name Abyssinia has been in use all the way from the early times until the 1930s. Another thing to notice is that slavery remained present in Abyssinia remarkably long. Only in 1931 did emperor Haile Selassie formally abolish it.

5. In 1821, what was the country "New Spain" renamed?

From Quiz Geographical Renamings

Answer: Mexico

France and Gambia have not been renamed in modern history. Sri Lanka was formerly named Ceylon.

6. Once called Byzantium, this city went by another well-known name before becoming what it is today. What is the present name of the city?

From Quiz Historical Geography

Answer: Istanbul

Known as Constantinople by Westerners until 1930, Istanbul was also known as Byzantium in ancient times.

7. What Asian nation was once known as the People's Republic of Kampuchea?

From Quiz Once It Was Called....

Answer: Cambodia

It went by this name from 1976 to 1989. From 1970-75 it was called the Khmer Republic.

8. What is the name of the former colony whose capital was Penang 1826-30 and Singapore from 1836?

From Quiz Former British Colonies

Answer: Straits Settlements

As for British Malaya, which also was to include two of the Strait Setlements, namely Malacca and Penang, its capital was Kuala Lumpur. As for Sarawak, its capital was Kuching. Capital of Labuan was Victoria.

9. What was the former name of the United Arab Emirates?

From Quiz Former or Alternate Names of Nations

Answer: Trucial States

The Trucial States gave Britain control of their defense in the 19th century. In 1971 six of the states gained independence to form the UAE

10. Argentoratum - in this city, now residence of the European Parliament, many debates about money (argentum) are held.

From Quiz Roman Place Names

Answer: Strasbourg (France)

Argentum is Latin for 'silver' or 'money'. Strasbourg is the residence of the European Parliament. Xanten was called Castra Vetera ('old fortress'), Barcelona was Barcino ('barca' means 'small boat'), and Marseille was Massilia ('heavy', 'bulky').

11. What name did the country of Iran used to have?

From Quiz Old Name New Name

Answer: Persia

12. Which country was previously known as Siam?

From Quiz Old Names For New Countries

Answer: Thailand

13. What Minnesota city comes from the Dakota word for water and the Greek word for city?

From Quiz Origin of Names

Answer: Minneapolis

14. Which African country was Princess Elizabeth visiting when her father died and she became queen?

From Quiz Queen Elizabeth Tours: Old and New Places' Names

Answer: Kenya

In 1952, Princess Elizabeth and her husband were on a tour of Commonwealth countries, representing King George VI, who was very ill. They arrived in Kenya on January 31 and on February 6th they were in Aberdare National Park, 165km from Nairobi, an area of environmental preservation, staying at the Treetops Hotel (hotel built on top of trees), when they received news that the king had died. The royal couple broke off their journey and returned to England. After becoming queen, Elizabeth briefly passed through the now Republic of Kenya in 1972 and 1991. Between 10 to 14 November, 1983, she returned to Kenya on a state visit.

15. The Roman name of this Spanish city was Valentia. Today it is the largest port of the Mediterranean. About half a century ago, Tony Martin and Mario Lanza made popular a lively song bearing its modern name.

From Quiz Roman Cities...Today!

Answer: Valencia

In Valencia's area there are millions of orange trees. Two thirds of Spain's orange production comes from there. Valencia is also the name of a reputed local soccer club which has a longstanding rivalry with Villarreal, another soccer club located in the city.

16. What was the ancient name of Sri Lanka when it was ruled by the British?

From Quiz Ancient Names of Cities and Countries

Answer: Ceylon

Ceylon was the former name of Sri Lanka. Colombo was its former capital city, not the former name of the country. Colombia is a separate country in the South American continent. "Lanka" was the kingdom of Raavan, the demon, in Ramayana.

17. The coast of which country or area was known as the Barbary Coast?

From Quiz Where Was That?

Answer: Northern Africa

The Barbary pirates were feared by western sailors for centuries, capturing them to be sold as slaves in the Ottoman Empire. Most of it was formally part of the Ottoman Empire, but the local governors, such as the pasha of Algiers and the beys of Tripoli and Tunis, were often de facto almost independent. Nowadays the region is divided between Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.

18. In 2003, what was The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia renamed?

From Quiz Geographical Renamings

Answer: Serbia and Montenegro

Yugoslavia was renamed Serbia in 2003. Then Serbia was split into two nations, Serbia and Montenegro, in 2006.

19. A line from the They Might Be Giants song "Istanbul (not Constantinople)" taught me that this city was once called New Amsterdam. What city am I referring to?

From Quiz Historical Geography

Answer: New York

Officially termed the City of New York, it is more commonly referred to as New York City and more affectionately called "The Big Apple".

20. What US national park was originally called Lafayette National Park?

From Quiz Once It Was Called....

Answer: Acadia

Established in 1919, it was given its present name in 1929.

21. What is the name of the former colony whose capital was Jesselton and before 1947 Sandakan?

From Quiz Former British Colonies

Answer: British North Borneo

Sandakan, now Kota Kinabalu, was capital of British North Borneo up to 1947, when it was moved to Jesselton. The region is now called Sabah and part of independent Malaysia. Jesselton has now changed name to Kota Kinabalu.

22. Russia and fourteen other nations were once a part of the U.S.S.R. What did those initials stand for?

From Quiz Former or Alternate Names of Nations

Answer: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Fifteen republics made up the USSR. The largest was Russia.

23. Aquincum - the Roman name only applies to (part of) one half of the city

From Quiz Roman Place Names

Answer: Budapest (Hungary)

Buda and Pest were two separate cities, with the Danube river between them. A part of modern Buda used to be called Aquincum ('aqua' means 'water'). Lisbon was called (O)Lisipo, Vienna was Vindobona ('good vindo', vindo perhaps referring to 'wind'). Warsaw was never part of the Roman empire.

24. The Turkish city of Istanbul used to be called what?

From Quiz Old Name New Name

Answer: Constantinople

25. Which country was previously known as Dahomey?

From Quiz Old Names For New Countries

Answer: Benin

26. What South American country's name is derived from Little Venice?

From Quiz Origin of Names

Answer: Venezuela

27. In 1954, Queen Elizabeth II was in Ceylon on the occasion of her birth anniversary. What is the current name of this country?

From Quiz Queen Elizabeth Tours: Old and New Places' Names

Answer: Sri Lanka

Queen Elizabeth II is not always able to spend April 21st, her birthday, with her family. Several times she has been on an official trip on this day. From 10th to 21st April 1954, Queen Elizabeth was on a tour of Ceylon, a former British colony independent since 1948. On May 22, 1972, a new constitution was approved and the country became a republic under the name of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, whose executive and judicial capital is Colombo. It is an island country located in South Asia in the Indian Ocean, separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.

28. What was the former name of Myanmar?

From Quiz Ancient Names of Cities and Countries

Answer: Burma

Myanmar had the previous name Burma. Its former capital was Yangon (whose former name was Rangoon). Its modern capital is Naypyidaw.

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Last Updated Apr 22 2024 11:06 AM
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