When talking about Japan, you might have heard people refer to the country as either Nihon or Nippon. But how did Japan's name come to be known as Japan in English? The name Japan has not actually changed over time; it has always been known as Nippon or Nihon in Japanese. So how did this transformation in pronunciation come about?

The word "Japan" is believed to have originated from the Chinese pronunciation of the characters that make up the name of Japan in Japanese. In Chinese, the characters for Japan are pronounced as "Ri Ben," which was then adapted by European traders and explorers into the name we now know as Japan. This transformation in pronunciation likely occurred in the early 17th century, and the name has stuck ever since.

It's interesting to note how the name of a country can evolve and change as it is introduced to different languages and cultures. The transition from Nippon or Nihon to Japan is just one example of how language can adapt and transform over time. Japan, as a country, has a rich history and culture, and its name is just one small part of that.