The largest glacier in the Pamirs has been renamed again: the Vanchyah Glacier, previously known as the Fedchenko Glacier, is now officially called the Glacier of Tajikistan. This decision has raised the question of why the country is renaming glaciers, rivers, lakes, mountains, and settlements.

From Fedchenko to Glacier of Tajikistan

The largest glacier in Tajikistan has changed its name for the second time in recent years. For a long time, it was known as the Fedchenko Glacier — named after the 19th-century Russian explorer Alexei Fedchenko. In 2023, as part of a large-scale process of changing geographical names, it was renamed Vanchyah. By a government decree on June 3, 2026, “Vanchyah Glacier” was renamed “Glacier of Tajikistan.” The reason for this particular name choice is not explained.

Previously, the Chairman of the Committee on Language and Terminology, Sakhidod Rakhmatullozoda, explained that there are thousands of toponyms in Tajikistan that have been preserved in their historical form, and such names should not disappear just because a renaming process has begun.

According to the head of the Committee, if there is a need to change a name, the issue is first considered at the local authority level, then at the regional level, after which the final decision is made by the Committee on Language and Terminology.

In doing so, the conclusions of linguists, the origin of the word, its meaning, the history of the area, and compliance with the norms of the Tajik language are taken into account.

Representatives of the Committee, as Rakhmatullozoda noted, travel to regions, talk to local residents, and study the history of specific names. This is especially important for Tajikistan, where many toponyms have Sogdian, Avestan, Bactrian, and other ancient roots.

Why rename geographical objects at all?

The main argument of the authorities is that many names do not meet modern requirements, the norms of the state language, or the historical and cultural policy of the country.

This concerns several groups of toponyms.

Firstly, these are names that appeared during the Soviet era and are associated with party ideology, Soviet structures, revolutionary figures, or institutions. Secondly, these are Russian, Turkic, or other foreign names that the authorities consider not in line with the norms of the Tajik language. Thirdly, these are distorted Tajik names that, according to specialists, should be returned to a more correct form.

Thus, renaming is presented as an attempt to “cleanse” the map of ideological, administrative, or linguistic layers and simultaneously restore or consolidate Tajik forms of names.

But this does not mean that all old names are necessarily changed. The Committee on Language states that historical toponyms with positive meanings should be preserved.

Why are glaciers being renamed separately?

Glaciers have become one of the most noticeable categories in this process because many of them were named during the Soviet period.

They were named after political figures, party bodies, state structures, scientists, military personnel, expeditions, or educational institutions.

In 2023, the government approved the renaming of about 3,500 geographical objects. Among them were 165 glaciers. Of these, 83 were in the Murghab district, 27 in the Lakhsh district, and 20 in the Vanj district.

Among the notable examples of renaming: the OGPU Glacier became the National Flag of RT Glacier; Ordzhonikidze — Spitamen; Vasilevsky — Mirzo Tursunzade; MSU — the TGPU named after Sadriddin Ayni Glacier; Geophysical — Aburaihon Beruni; Krasin — Rauf Barot; Dolzhenko — Nodir Odil; Kalinin — Kaykovus; Dzerzhinsky — Nusratullo Maksum; Volodarsky — Sayidoi Nasafi; Nalivkin — Kandil Juraev; Grum-Grzhimailo — Azalsho Olimov; Vitkovsky — Mirsaid Mirshakar; Communist Academy — Vasily Bartold; Rozmirovich — Roziya Ozod.

Some of the new names are associated with historical figures, poets, scientists, and cultural figures.

Some are related to state symbols or Tajik forms of names.

Not only glaciers are being renamed

The changes have affected almost all types of geographical objects.

In 2023, more than 900 rivers, 52 lakes, over 80 ridges, 129 mountain systems, 415 mountains, and 237 passes received new names. For example, Muksu became Mugob, Sauksay — Sardobrud, Alichur — Alichor, Kyzyl-Su — Surkhob, Shirkent — Shirkand.

Among the lakes: Zorkul was renamed Zarrinkul, Okkul — Safedkul, Aikul — Mohkul. Mountain objects also received new names: the Zaalaysky Ridge became the Kayumars Ridge, Tanymas — Tahmuras, Muzkol — Margob, Babatag — Bobokuh, Karatash — Siyohsang, Sarytash — Zardsang.

Renaming also affected tracts, springs, dry riverbeds, wells, hills, ravines, valleys, and other objects.

Most of the changes occurred in the Murghab district of GBAO. There, 1,005 geographical objects received new Tajik names.

About two hundred objects were renamed in the Bobojon-Ghafurov district and Penjikent. More than a hundred names were changed in the Asht and Lakhsh districts.

A special working group, created in November 2021, studied more than 12,500 toponyms. According to its findings, more than 4,000 geographical objects and over 800 settlements did not meet modern requirements.