Türkiye is the country’s current official name in international use, while Turkey remains a widely recognized English name, especially in older texts and some English:language contexts.
The question of Turkey or Türkiye became common after the country formally asked the United Nations to use Türkiye instead of Turkey in 2022. The United Nations accepted the request, and the name Türkiye became the preferred form in UN usage from May 2022. This change can be confusing for English speakers because Turkey had been the familiar English name for the country for centuries.
Today, both names may still appear in English, but they do not have exactly the same status or context. Türkiye is the country’s official international name, while Turkey remains an established English:language country name and can also appear in historical references and older publications.
The difference is therefore not simply a spelling mistake. It is mainly a question of official naming, language, date, and context. Understanding this distinction helps writers choose the appropriate form for articles, academic work, travel content, news writing, formal documents, and everyday English.
Turkey or Türkiye : Quick Answer
Türkiye is the country’s current official name used by the United Nations and many international organizations.
Turkey is the traditional English name that remains widely recognized.
The key distinction is:
Türkiye : current official international name
Turkey : traditional English name
The Republic of Türkiye formally changed its official English country name from The Republic of Turkey to The Republic of Türkiye in 2022. The United Nations records the change as effective from 26 May 2022.
For current formal international writing, Türkiye is the appropriate choice.
For historical writing about periods before the name change, Turkey can still be appropriate. The UN’s terminology records specifically note that works published before 26 May 2022, or dealing with the period before that date, may use Turkey.
Definition and Meaning of Turkey or Türkiye
What does Türkiye mean?
Türkiye is the country’s official short name in Turkish and is now also the country’s preferred international English name at the United Nations.
The country’s formal name is:
The Republic of Türkiye
In Turkish, the formal name is Türkiye Cumhuriyeti. UN geographical naming records list Türkiye as the national short name and Türkiye Cumhuriyeti as the formal name.
What does Turkey mean?
Turkey is the traditional English name for the same country.
It was the standard English country name used internationally for many years before the official change in 2022.
For example:
Turkey is located between Europe and Asia.
This sentence uses the older English country name.
Are Turkey and Türkiye two different countries?
No.
Turkey and Türkiye refer to the same country.
The change was a change in the country’s official international name, not the creation of a new country. The United Nations states that the Republic of Turkey changed its official name to the Republic of Türkiye in May 2022.
Does Türkiye have an English meaning?
Türkiye is the country’s Turkish name. It is commonly understood in English as the country’s proper name rather than as an English word that needs translation.
The ü is a Turkish letter and is part of the standard spelling Türkiye.
The Origin of Turkey or Türkiye
The name Türkiye is closely connected to the Turkish name for the country and to the historical name associated with the Turks.
The Turkish word Türkiye combines Türk, referring to a Turk or the Turkish people, with the suffix :iye, which forms a country or territorial name.
The older English form Turkey developed through European languages and became the established English name for the country.
For centuries, English:language sources generally used Turkey. This is why the word remains deeply familiar to English speakers.
The modern change occurred through a formal request by the Republic of Türkiye. In June 2022, the United Nations announced that the country name Türkiye would replace Turkey in UN usage after receiving the country’s official request.
The country’s government had already been promoting Türkiye internationally before the UN change. A December 2021 circular called for the use of Türkiye instead of Turkey in correspondence with other states and international organizations.
The change therefore reflects an official naming preference rather than a simple spelling update.
British English vs American English Spelling
The difference between Turkey and Türkiye is not the usual type of British versus American spelling difference.
Both British and American English have traditionally used Turkey as the English country name. Türkiye is the country’s preferred official international name and is increasingly used in formal international contexts.
| Form | British English | American English | Main Context |
| Turkey | Traditional English name | Traditional English name | Everyday and older English usage |
| Türkiye | Increasingly used | Increasingly used | Official and international contexts |
| Republic of Turkey | Older formal name | Older formal name | Historical or older documents |
| Republic of Türkiye | Current formal name | Current formal name | Current official usage |
| Turkish | Correct | Correct | Language, people, culture, adjective |
| Türkiye Cumhuriyeti | Turkish | Turkish | Official Turkish name |
The United Nations now uses Türkiye as its preferred country name.
This means the distinction is better understood as traditional English name versus current official international name, rather than British spelling versus American spelling.
Which Name Should You Use?
For current formal writing
Use Türkiye.
This is the safest choice for current official, diplomatic, international, and institutional writing.
For example:
The Republic of Türkiye participated in the conference.
The United Nations uses Türkiye as the country’s current name.
For general English writing
Türkiye is appropriate when you want to follow the country’s current official international name.
However, readers will still recognize Turkey because it remains a familiar English country name.
For historical writing
Turkey may be appropriate when discussing older documents, historical periods, or sources that used that name at the time.
For example:
The treaty was signed between Turkey and its neighboring states.
When discussing historical documents, preserving the original terminology can also be useful.
For academic writing
Use Türkiye for current references unless a particular source, historical document, quotation, or established title uses Turkey.
Consistency is important throughout the same piece of writing.
For travel writing
Türkiye is the current official name and is suitable for modern travel articles.
You may still encounter Turkey in older travel guides, websites, books, and user searches.
Common Mistakes with Turkey or Türkiye
Mistake 1: Treating Türkiye as a different country
Incorrect idea:
Türkiye and Turkey are two different countries.
Correct:
Türkiye is the current official name of the country traditionally known in English as Turkey.
The 2022 change did not create a new country.
Mistake 2: Removing the accent marks
The official spelling is:
Türkiye
Not:
Turkiye
The spelling Turkiye is sometimes used when special characters are unavailable, but Türkiye is the standard form.
Mistake 3: Assuming Turkey is always incorrect
Turkey is the traditional English name and remains recognizable in English. It is also appropriate in historical contexts where that was the name in use.
The UN terminology database notes that older works or works dealing with periods before the 2022 change may use Turkey.
**Mistake 4: Changing Turkish to Türkiye
The adjective Turkish does not become Türkiyesh or another form.
Correct:
Turkish language
Turkish culture
The country’s name is Türkiye, while Turkish remains the normal English adjective and demonym.
Mistake 5: Confusing the country name with the adjective
Use:
Türkiye is a country.
But:
Turkish cuisine is popular around the world.
Both forms serve different grammatical purposes.
Turkey or Türkiye in Everyday Examples
In emails
I am planning a business trip to Türkiye next month.
This is suitable for current professional communication.
In academic writing
Türkiye has played an important role in regional history.
For a current academic discussion, Türkiye follows the country’s present official international name.
In travel writing
Türkiye offers a wide range of historical sites, coastal destinations, and cultural experiences.
The current official name works naturally in modern travel content.
In news writing
Officials from Türkiye attended the international meeting.
This follows current international naming practice.
In historical writing
The document referred to the country as Turkey.
Here, Turkey can be retained because the sentence discusses the terminology used in a historical document.
In everyday conversation
Have you ever visited Turkey?
This traditional English form remains immediately recognizable to English speakers.
For current formal writing, however, Türkiye is the more appropriate official form.
Turkey or Türkiye : Google Trends & Usage Data
Search interest for Turkey remains strong because it has been the familiar English country name for a very long time. Türkiye has also received increased attention since the official international name change in 2022.
The difference in search behavior is partly explained by familiarity. People who learned English before the name change may naturally search for Turkey, while people looking for the country’s current official name may search for Türkiye.
The United Nations formally adopted Türkiye after receiving the country’s request in June 2022.
Search interest can also vary according to the topic. Travel searches, historical content, news articles, sports coverage, recipes, geography lessons, and government information may use different naming conventions.
For current formal international content, Türkiye is the stronger choice because it matches the country’s current official international name.
For historical material, older sources, quotations, and discussions of terminology before 2022, Turkey may be appropriate. The UN specifically distinguishes older publications and historical periods from current naming.
Turkey vs Türkiye: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Turkey | Türkiye |
| Refers to the country | Yes | Yes |
| Traditional English name | Yes | No |
| Current official international name | Older form | Yes |
| Used by the UN today | Not preferred | Yes |
| Used in older English sources | Very common | Rare |
| Used for historical references | Yes | Depends on context |
| Official formal name | Republic of Turkey, older form | Republic of Türkiye |
| Turkish adjective | Turkish | Turkish |
| Pronunciation | TUR:kee | TUR:kee:yeh |
| Special character | No | Uses ü |
| Current formal writing | Less preferred | Preferred |
The UN confirms that the Republic of Turkey changed its official name to the Republic of Türkiye in 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Should I say Turkey or Türkiye?
Both names refer to the same country. Türkiye is the country’s official name, while Turkey remains widely used in English, especially in general and historical contexts.
Q2. Is it Turkey or Türkiye now?
The country’s official name is Türkiye. The United Nations adopted Türkiye for official use in 2022, although Turkey is still commonly used in English.
Q3. Why did Turkey change its name to “Türkiye”?
The Turkish government requested the use of Türkiye internationally to reflect the country’s preferred Turkish name and distinguish it from other meanings associated with the English word “turkey.”
Q4. Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now?
Travel safety in Türkiye depends on the location and current conditions. Travelers should check the latest government travel advisory before planning or taking a trip.
Q5. Is Turkey affected by the Iran War?
Türkiye is geographically close to Iran, but the effects of any regional conflict can vary by location and change quickly. Travelers should check current official travel advisories and local updates.
Q6. Which part of Turkey is the safest?
Safety varies across Türkiye and can depend on factors such as local conditions, crime levels, weather, and regional security concerns. There is no single area that can always be described as the safest.
Q7. Is Istanbul safe at night?
Many areas of Istanbul are active at night, but travelers should use normal precautions, especially in crowded areas and when traveling alone. Conditions can vary between neighborhoods.
Q8. What are the 3 best cities to visit in Turkey?
Popular cities include Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Antalya, although the best choices depend on what you want to experience, such as history, scenery, beaches, or culture.
Q9. Is Turkey a high:risk area?
Risk levels vary by region and can change because of political, security, and regional developments. Travelers should review the latest official travel advisories for the specific areas they plan to visit.
Conclusion
Türkiye is the current official international name of the country traditionally known in English as Turkey. The Republic of Turkey formally requested the change in 2022, and the United Nations adopted Türkiye as the country’s name in its official usage.
This does not mean that Turkey suddenly became an unrelated or meaningless word. It remains a familiar English name and can be appropriate when discussing older publications, historical events, quotations, or terminology from before the official change. The UN’s terminology guidance specifically recognizes Turkey for older works and historical periods before 26 May 2022.
For current formal writing, international communication, academic work, and modern articles, Türkiye is the better choice because it follows the country’s present official international name. The adjective remains Turkish, so we still write Turkish food, Turkish culture, and Turkish language.
The simplest rule is: use Türkiye for the current official country name, and use Turkey when historical context or an older source calls for it.
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Hi, I’m Ava Collins, a writer and English language enthusiast behind CorrectlyWritten. I’m passionate about making grammar simple, clear, and easy to understand. I write about grammar rules, confusing words, spelling, and everyday English usage to help readers write more accurately and confidently.
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