This article explores the various names used to refer to what is now known as Japan, from pre-historic times up until after World War II. The country was known as Wa or Yamato during pre-historic times, Yamataikoku in ancient times, Nihon or Nippon during the classical period, Dai Nihon and Dai Nihon Teikoku during the medieval period, Oranda or Holland by Europeans and Dai Nippon Teikoku by its own people in the early modern period. After World War II ended in 1945, attempts were made at changing the name back to just Nihon but they were unsuccessful and it officially became known simply as "Japan".