Why was Burkina Faso called Upper Volta before 1984?

Before 1984, the country was known as Upper Volta because its name was derived from the three major rivers that flow through its territory: the Black Volta, the White Volta, and the Red Volta.12

The name was officially changed to Burkina Faso—which translates to "Land of Incorruptible People"—in 1984 under the leadership of Thomas Sankara. This change was part of a broader program intended to revitalize the nation and foster a new national consciousness, which also included the adoption of a new flag, a new coat of arms, and a rewritten national anthem.31