First Bulgarian Empire - Nomenclature

Nomenclature

The First Bulgarian Empire became known simply as Bulgaria since its recognition by the Byzantine Empire in 681. Some historians use the terms Danube Bulgaria, First Bulgarian State or First Bulgarian Tsardom (Empire). Between 681 and 864 the country was also known as the Bulgarian Khanate, Danube Bulgarian Khanate or Danube Bulgar Khanate in order to differentiate it from Volga Bulgaria which emerged from another Bulgar group. During its early existence the country is also called Bulgar state or Bulgar qaghnate. Between 864 and 917/927 the country was known as Principality of Bulgaria or Knyazhestvo Bulgaria.

In English language sources the country is often known as the Bulgarian Empire.

Created as a union between Bulgars and Slavs, for mutual protection against the Byzantine Empire to the south and the Avars to the north-west, the First Bulgarian Empire was ruled according to the Bulgar tradition with the head of state being the Khan. The Slavs kept significant autonomy and eventually their language and traditions shaped the Bulgarian culture and people with Bulgaria becoming a Slavic country.