Burkina Faso name change?

Question

Why did Upper Volta change to Burkina Faso in 1984?

Answer 1

It was the name given to the region by the French colonialists, after the Volta river.

"The name change occurred on August 4, 1984, instigated by Thomas Sankara, the leader of the country at that time. The old name indicates that the country contains the upper part of the river Volta."

"Upper Volta" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upper_Volta

"On August 4, 1984, Upper Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso, meaning "the country of honorable people"."

"History of Burkina Faso" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Burkina_Faso

Answer 2

The leader at the time in a attempt to inspire his people changed it to Burkina Faso which in the native More (an African dialect) language means 'the land of honorable people.' The other prominent language spoken there is French.