What was Suriname's formal name?

Answer 1

Surinam may have been the first name by which the future Surinamese Republic was known formally among the English, French and Spanish speaking explorers of the 16th century. The name may have been borrowed from the word 'Surinen'. The word referred to the country's inhabitants before the arrival of the European explorers and settlers.

Willoughbyland may have been the second name by which the country was known formally among English language speakers. The name was in use from 1630 until 1667. It was in honor of Francis Willoughby, 5th Baron of Willoughby. From his governorship in Barbados, Lord Willoughby tried to develop the subsequent Suriname into a plantation economy.

Nederlands Guyana [or Guiana] may have been the third name. The fledgling English colony fell under Dutch control by the Treaty of Breda of July 31, 1667. A crucial battle between the English and the Dutch was fought some months earlier, on February 27, 1667, at Fort Willoughby. With the Dutch victorious in just three hours, the fort became known as Fort Zeelandia.

By the Treaty of Breda, and again by the Treaty of Westminster of February 19, 1674, Suriname became an area of predominantly Dutch settlement. In exchange, the future Nieuw Amsterdam became an area of mainly English settlement. So English language speakers came to refer to their foothold in North America as New York, and to the Dutch foothold in South America as Dutch Guiana.

Republiek Suriname may be the fourth name by which the country is known formally. It's the name by which the world knows the country since the late 20th century. Self government within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1954 and complete independence on November 25, 1975 bring Suriname face to face with its position in the world. It's a country that seeks the harmonious working of European influences within a non European environment. That search may be seen in the choice of the name. Indeed, the two word name brings together the Dutch word 'Republiek' and the native Arawak based word 'Suriname'. Its equivalent in English is Republic of Suriname, or simply Suriname.

For a view of the site at Fort Willoughby that paved the way for British control, please visit the link provided below.