Czechia

Heard it on PBS yesterday with the Czech ambassador demonstrating the correct pronunciation. In German it is Tschechien already.

They've been trying this for awhile. It hasn't caught on and I doubt it will. I personally don't see what's wrong with just referring to it as Czech or Czech Republic.

Douglass you are absolutely correct. The nerve of them not clearing this with American tourists first!!! We could tell them what they got is good enough for them. I heard another rumor that Hungarians want their country called Magyarország. Who in the heck could even pronounce that! Silly idea. And don't even get me started on Japan!!!!! We gave these people perfectly good names you would think they could show a little appreciation.

well I have been travelling to the Czech republic for many years and certainly the locals that I know refer to I the country as Czechia and go to any international sporting event then the crowd shout for Czechia rather than Czech republic or Czech.
I am just back from a trip to Prague (2 days ago) and several folk were talking about the name change and seemed very positive about it.
I really don't see the problem and this region has never had any real official identity of its own until 1993,so I think the Czechs are still trying to establish their own identity and this is one way of doing it. good luck to them and if it officially become Czechia it will make no difference to me visiting the country.

Just to be clear, if the Czech Republic officially changes its name, then that is their prerogative and people will start calling it that. My understanding, perhaps wrong, is that this was an informal PR effort to get people to refer to the Czech Republic as Czechia.

This came up in conversation with my Czech (language) teacher this afternoon. She was appalled at the very idea of it.

There is no popular mandate for such a change. But does it really matter? As Juliet said of Romeo Montague:

"What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet".

However, there seems to be some apprehension that people will start confusing Czechia (a peaceful and prosperous central European country) with Chechnya (a politically unstable war-torn former-Soviet republic). This is not outside the bounds of possibility - Sweden and Switzerland are often confused - and a bewildered tourist once asked a friend if many kangaroos manage to cross the border from Austria.

"What's in a Czech Beer? that which we call a Pilsner By any other name would drink as well".

Czechs are looking for shorter international name than Czech Republic. They already have it in Czech language: full name Ceska republika read Cheska republica, short name Cesko (read Chesko). Many people did not like the name Cesko (among others also president Vaclav Havel) but it was used unofficially by people and slowly established itself. It would all be easier if it was not for this little fact: Czech Republic consists of western province Bohemia - called in Czech Cechy (read Chekhe) and eastern provinces Moravia and Silesia - in Czech Morava and Slezsko. So when I say I am Czech (Cech - read Chekh) it could mean I am from Czech Republic but it could also mean I am from Cechy (Bohemia) unlike being from Moravia or Silesia. With the name Czechia some people could feel that Moravia and Silesia are neglected. I personally don't feel that way because in English language we have Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia and all together it will be Czechia. But as I said it does not work the same way in Czech language: Cechy, Morava, Slezsko and all together Czechia - quite similar to Cechy.

^^^ What is in a name indeed! My head hurts from just trying to make sense of all that...

The July issue of International Travel Magazine reported that the "common name" is now Czechia. To be reflected on maps, merchandise and in media. In czech language it will be Cesko. "Official name" will remain Czech Republic.

At least it is easily identifiable. How many of us have had to re-program country names we had learn in school. Remember Burma or Dem Rep of the Congo - no wait its Zaire - well on second thought Dem Rep of the Congo sounds good.

Or the Conch Republic!

En route to Brno on 6 June 2016, the Czech guy I talked to on the train referred to his country as Czechia. He did not say Czech Republik or any variation.

Not only Burma but also Bombay and Ceylon, which still uses that name for its tea.