“Kyiv” or “Kiev”: which is correct and why it matters
“Kyiv” is the official and internationally recognized spelling of Ukraine’s capital city. Yet many people still use “Kiev,” a spelling that comes from Russian transliteration.
Most people know how annoying it feels when someone constantly misspells your name. It might seem like just one letter or sound has changed, but suddenly your name feels unfamiliar—like it’s not quite yours anymore.
Ukraine’s capital has experienced something similar for decades.
In this guide, the Visit Kyiv team explains why it’s important to use “Kyiv” instead of “Kiev” and how the official spelling of Ukraine’s capital became part of the country’s fight for its own identity.
Contents
Is it “Kyiv” or “Kiev”?
| Correct | Wrong | |
|---|---|---|
| Spelling | Kyiv | Kiev |
| Origin | Ukrainian language | Russian language |
| Pronunciation | kee-iv | kee-yev |
| International status | Official, internationally recognized form | Outdated form |
| Example usage | I visited Kyiv | I visited Kiev |
“Kyiv” or “Kiev”: what’s the real difference?
At first glance, the difference between “Kyiv” and “Kiev” seems to be just two letters. In reality, the difference goes far beyond spelling.
For centuries, the Russian Empire—and later the Soviet Union—attempted to Russify Ukrainian language and culture. Ukrainian city names were often introduced internationally through Russian transliteration, which was presented as the “correct” and universally accepted form. This is why the Russian spelling “Kiev” became widely used around the world.
However, Kyiv’s history long predates Moscow and has deep Ukrainian roots. The capital has its own rich, centuries-long history and appeared on the map nearly 700 years before Moscow was founded.
This is why using “Kyiv” instead of “Kiev” isn’t just about following the official spelling—it’s also a way to show respect for the city, its history, and its culture.
Why do two different spellings exist?
Today, “Kiev” is often used unconsciously by English speakers and others, simply because the international community long perceived Ukraine through a Russian-language lens and became accustomed to this outdated form.
Meanwhile, “Kyiv” is the only correct spelling of Ukraine’s capital, a form that was used long before Russian transliteration became widespread. This spelling fully reflects the Ukrainian language and accurately represents how the name is pronounced in Ukrainian.
When did “Kiev” become “Kyiv”?
After Ukraine gained independence, the capital began fighting to reclaim its proper name. In 1995, the Ukrainian government officially and legally mandated the restoration of the historical spelling “Kyiv,” but the world continued using the old form for decades.
In 2018, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a major online campaign called #KyivNotKiev, urging the international community to use the correct spelling—”Kyiv” instead of “Kiev” in English and other languages.
The campaign was supported by millions of Ukrainians who widely shared the #KyivNotKiev hashtag across social media and wrote letters to foreign media outlets requesting adoption of the official spelling of Ukraine’s capital.
For many Ukrainians, this has never been simply a question of spelling rules. The word “Kiev” is associated with the Soviet and Russian past, while “Kyiv” represents the Ukrainian language and the country’s independent identity.
That’s why many Ukrainians still gently correct people who say or write “Kiev.” Not to embarrass anyone, but because for them the name carries real cultural and historical weight.
As a result, major world institutions have switched to the correct spelling:
- Leading international media outlets (BBC, CNN, NYT, The Guardian, and others)
- Governments and state institutions of many countries (USA, UK, Canada, EU countries)
- International organizations (NATO, UN, and others)
- Major international airlines
- Large tech companies, including Google and Apple
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, the “Kyiv” spelling became the global standard—not just a linguistic change, but an important symbol of recognizing Ukrainian identity and rejecting the outdated Russian transliteration.
What does “Kyiv” mean?
According to one of the most famous legends, Kyiv was founded by three brothers—Kyi, Shchek, and Khoryv—and their sister Lybid. The city is believed to be named in honor of the eldest brother, Kyi.
This legend about Kyiv’s founders remains one of the best-known stories about the capital’s origins and reflects the city’s ancient history. Today, the figures of Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv, and Lybid are familiar to every Kyivite, and the monument to the city’s founders has become one of Kyiv’s most iconic landmarks. Located on the Dnipro riverbank, it offers one of the best panoramic views of the capital.
When do people still use “Kiev”?
Most people use the incorrect spelling “Kiev” not because of political views, but because it was used internationally for decades.
You may still encounter the incorrect spelling in:
- Old books, documents, and websites
- Outdated maps and navigation apps
- Historical materials, films, and literary works from the Soviet period
- Pro-Russian media outlets that continue using “Kiev” as part of Kremlin propaganda
It’s a small but very meaningful gesture of solidarity and respect for Ukrainians that helps spread the correct name of Ukraine’s capital city internationally.
