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If you're thinking about coming to Ukraine but weren't sure whether to head to Kiev or Kyiv, let us make things a little simpler for you. Both Kiev and Kyiv are of course referring to the one and same capital city of this great nation!
How did the confusion arise? Well Kiev is the recognised transliteration of the name of the city in Russian, and also the old Ukrainian name which has been used for centuries (by the likes of national hero, Taras Shevchenko, no less) right back to the times of Kievan Rus. Kyiv meanwhile is the transliteration of the modern Ukrainian name of the city and the official name as far as all legal and political issues are concerned. Following the establishment of an independent Ukraine in 1991, there was a move by many Ukrainians to favour Kyiv as it symbolised a departure from all things Russian, and indeed Kyiv is now used by the UN and many other official bodies as the correct name. 
Why have we at Kiev Life chosen to stick with the old moniker? Well simply because, like it or not, most English speakers are still far more familiar with the old Russian name than the modern Ukrainian one. Besides which the English language has a great tradition of ignoring the local lingo and coming up with it's own, easier to pronounce, anglicised versions of place names. Think Florence instead of Firenze, Moscow instead of Moskva, Prague instead of Praha, Ljubljana instead of... Oh dear, the argument falls down a bit there, but you get our point!
Indeed the long and short of it is that we don't care whether you refer to this great city as Kiev or Kyiv, we only hope you find our internet guide a valuable resource and that you have a fantastic stay in Kyyiv... Ooops - forgot to tell you about that one! | | | |
 | | "Ok, what about hearing a native kievite? I am one. This new transliteration holy war is really annoying. I'm Ukrainian, I live in Kiev and I love my city so much. I somehow fear Russia because they are moving towards dictatorship but I hope they will not fight us. Kyiv is a pathetic new English word. You can pronounce the name different ways but the transcription of the name should always be Kiev. Tell Germans to change their Kiew, Polish to say something but Kijow and so on. Do we, Ukrainians should say Landen or Voshinton instead of London and Washington? Keep that in mind and eff politics and politicians." | Boris
Ukraine
Dec.26.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Out of all respect for the ideals of Ukraine citizens, wanting to draw a line in the sand and begin a new era of independence, I support the request that we refer to the city as Kyiv." | Scott
United States
Nov.14.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Kiev has been known for centuries, Kyiv - only since 1991, after Ukrainian nationalists took power. Also you will be surprised, but the city is mostly Russian-speaking, and the governments is fighting it in every possible way. We should not follow this stupidity and help then to spread it out, removing the historical legacy ties of this 1,500-year city. English language is not their business at all. Don't you know that there is no word with the letter combination of kyi and there are words with kie?
The bottom line is simple, Ukraine should mind its own, Ukrainian business." | Steve
United States
Mar.12.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "wow, interesting! I hadn't even heard of this correct version of spelling the city's name. I will try to switch from now on! It might start getting confusing if many more cities start changing their spelling in this way too though..." | Dan
United Kingdom
Oct.17.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "The link should be http://www.capitalofukraine.com/petition/" | Mark
United Kingdom
Aug.29.2008
rates this page 1/5 |
| | "Please read many arguments in favour of Kyiv on http://www.capitalofukraine.com/petition/. Most English speaking governments are using Kyiv already..." | Mark
United Kingdom
Aug.29.2008
rates this page 1/5 |
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