|
The territory of Ukraine has had many names: Oriyana, Roxolania, Skyfia, Sarmatia, the country of Anths and so on. In IV Century BC the name «Rus» appeared first, although only as meaning the Kniaz and his warriors, but later as including a few provinces. The name «Ukraine» was used unofficially instead of «Rus». It appeared when referring to different parts of the country at various times. In 1650 French engineer and traveler, De Boplan, published his book «Description of Ukraine», where by Ukraine he meant the regions of Halychyna and Podilliya. His work made the name known in Western Europe. From XVI century «Ukraine» referred to the Cossack lands around the Dnipro river and to the Cossack state under Bogdan Khmelnytskyy, which is confirmed in works of other hetmans like Ivan Mazepa and Pylyp Orlyk. From XIX century the name «Ukraine» is widely used as referring to the territorial unit occupied by Ukrainians. After the declaration of Ukrainian People’s Republic (1917), Ukrainian State (1918), Western Ukrainian People’s Republic (1918) and Carpathian Ukraine (1939) the name became established officially. Soviet Ukraine was named Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The historical name «Ukraine» was reestablished after the declaration of independence on 24 August 1991. On 28 June 1994, the name was recorded in the Ukrainian Constitution. |
