what was netherlands called before

The Netherlands was historically called the Low Countries or the Netherlands in older forms like Nederlanden ; in English, people also often used Holland , though that was originally just one region of the country.

Quick Scoop

• Low Countries was the broader historical name for the region.

• Holland was commonly used for the whole country in some periods, especially because the province was so influential.

• The modern official Dutch name is Nederland / the Netherlands.

A simple way to put it: before “the Netherlands” became the standard English name, the area was often referred to as the Low Countries, and sometimes Holland.