Only one country has renamed January after its president. In 2002 Turkmenistan renamed it Türkmenbaşy, the title of its president, Saparmurat Niyazov, and it kept the name until 2008.
What happened to the rest of the year
January was only the start. A law passed on 10 August 2002 renamed every month. February became Baýdak, the word for flag, because Flag Day fell on Niyazov’s birthday. April became Gurbansoltan, after his mother. September became Ruhnama, after the book Niyazov wrote as a spiritual guide for the nation, so for six years one month of the year was named after his book.
The days of the week changed too. Monday became Başgün, which means first day, Friday became Annagün, mother day, and Saturday became Ruhgün, spirit day.
Did anyone actually use them?
The state media did, and so did the newspapers printed in other languages, sometimes with the old name in brackets so readers could keep up. Most people kept using the old names when they talked.
Why it changed back
Niyazov died in 2006. In April 2008 the cabinet of his successor, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, discussed bringing the old names back, and by July they were back. So January was named after the president for about six years, which is a decent run for a month.
If you like this sort of thing, see which foreigners each country named the cockroach after or each state’s official drink.
Sources: Wikipedia on the Turkmen month names, Al Jazeera.
See every month and day
| Month or day | Name from 2002 to 2008 | Named after or meaning |
|---|---|---|
| January | Türkmenbaşy | Niyazov himself ("Leader of the Turkmen", his adopted title) |
| February | Baýdak | The flag (Flag Day was on his birthday) |
| March | Nowruz | The Persian New Year |
| April | Gurbansoltan | His mother |
| May | Magtymguly | A Turkmen poet |
| June | Oguz | Oguz Khan, the nation's legendary founder |
| July | Gorkut | The hero of a Turkmen epic |
| August | Alp Arslan | A Seljuk sultan |
| September | Ruhnama | His book |
| October | Garaşsyzlyk | Independence |
| November | Sanjar | The last Seljuk ruler |
| December | Bitaraplyk | Neutrality |
| Monday | Başgün | First day |
| Tuesday | Ýaşgün | Youth day |
| Wednesday | Hoşgün | Favourable day |
| Thursday | Sogapgün | Justice day |
| Friday | Annagün | Mother day |
| Saturday | Ruhgün | Spirit day |
| Sunday | Dynçgün | Rest day |
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