Not on the basis of UN M49 alone. The UN Statistics Division records cases in which a country or area name changed while its M49 code did not, but this does not mean that every modern form accepts the historical name. Acceptance must be checked against the particular form’s current instructions.
What UN M49 establishes
UN M49 includes country and area name changes with no corresponding code change since 1982. It also records formerly used codes, with retired codes usually identified by the text “[former]”. The division notes that country and area names change more often than their codes.
The important distinction is between a name and a code. An older name may remain relevant even when the M49 code has not changed, while a retired code may still need to be distinguished from the current one. Neither situation automatically establishes whether a modern form will accept historical wording.
How to check a modern form
The reader should examine:
- The requested date: Determine whether the field requires the current name, a historical name, or the name used on a particular date.
- The form’s instructions: Check its edition and any definitions for the relevant field.
- The input method: A field linked to a code list may display only the current label. A free-text field may appear more flexible, but that does not guarantee acceptance.
- The treatment of codes: Check whether the form requires a code separately from the name and whether historical entries are permitted.
If the instructions do not resolve the question, the reader should ask the issuing body to confirm the exact wording and how any associated code should be entered.
What still needs confirmation
The cited M49 material concerns countries and areas; it does not cover every category of place name. It also does not identify a particular modern form or establish a general requirement to accept former names. A specific answer therefore requires the current form and its applicable instructions.