<P> The colloquial name Bama is supposed to have originated from the name Myanma by shortening of the first syllable, from loss of nasal final "an" (/ - àɴ /), reduced to non-nasal "a" (/ - à /), and loss of "y" (/ - j - /) glide), and then by transformation of "m" into "b". This sound change from "m" to "b" is frequent in colloquial Burmese, and occurs in many other words . Although Bama may be a later transformation of the name Myanma, both names have been in use alongside each other for centuries . King Mindon in the mid-19th century was the first to refer to himself as the king of the' Myanma people', in an attempt to ethnicise his rule, at a time when his rule was largely confined to the Irrawaddy Valley and the Myanmar ethnic group . </P> <P> The etymology of Mranma remains unclear . The "Bamas" who entered the central Irrawaddy river valley in the 9th century founded the Pagan Kingdom in 849, and called themselves Mranma . The earliest record discovered of the word was in a Mon inscription dated 1102, inside which the name was spelled Mirma . The first record of the name in a Burmese inscription is dated 1190, in which inscription the name was spelled Mranma . </P> <P> Ma Thanegi records that the first use of the name' Mranma' for the country is to be found on a 3 feet (91 cm) high stone inscription dated 597 ME (Traditional Burmese calendar) or 1235 CE . The stone is from the reign of Kyaswa, (1234 - 1250) son of King Htilominlo (Nadaungmya), Bagan . It is written in early Burmese script . Although the middle of the front side of this stone is damaged, the first line of the better - protected reverse side clearly shows မြန်မာပြည် ("Mranma kingdom"). The inscription is known as the' Yadana Kon Htan Inscription' . At present it is in Bagan recorded as stone number 43 in the Archaeological Department's collection . </P> <P> Today in Burmese the name is still spelled Mranma, but over time the "r" sound disappeared in most dialects of the Burmese language and was replaced by a "y" glide, so although the name is spelled "Mranma", it is actually pronounced Myanma . </P>

When was the name burma changed to myanmar