Sofia L. answered • 12/12/23
Masters in Czech, my native tongue, with 20 yrs of tutoring experience
The use of "Czechia" with the "cz" spelling stems from an attempt to create a simpler and more user-friendly alternative to the full name "Czech Republic."
The "cz" in "Czechia" does not reflect a standard spelling in the Czech language itself; it's a simplified version derived from the English language for ease of pronunciation and recognition. It was proposed as an official short name for the Czech Republic in English to streamline the country's name, similar to other European country names like Slovakia, Austria, or Hungary.
The spelling "Czechia" doesn't perfectly align with the Czech language's spelling conventions, but it was chosen as a practical and convenient option for international use, aiming to provide a more straightforward and modern term to refer to the country. This attempt was made in response to requests from Czech officials for a more concise and recognizable name for their country in English.
