Why was Burma renamed as Myanmar?

The ruling military junta changed its name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising. Rangoon also ... Other countries to rename themselves like this include Iran (formerly Persia), Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) and Cambodia (Kampuchea). read more

In 1989, the military junta officially changed the English version of the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar, including changing the name of the former capital city from Rangoon to Yangon. The change was recognized by the United Nations, but not by the United States and the UK. read more

"There's a formal term which is Myanmar and the informal, everyday term which is Burma. Myanmar is the literary form, which is ceremonial and official and reeks of government. [The name change] is a form of censorship." If Burmese people are writing for publication, they use 'Myanmar', but speaking they use 'Burma', he says. read more

Both are widespread use in colloquial usage. Most still use Bamar/Myanmar interchangeably, to refer to the country, depending on the context. Ironically, because of the official renaming of the country, the dominant ethnic group is now known by its colloquial name, Bamar, rather than by its literary name, Myanmar in official Burmese usage. read more