redesignation

Redesignation is the act of changing the designation or label applied to an entity, such as a geographic area, a military unit, a government department, a transportation route, or a corporate product line. Unlike a complete dissolution or reorganization, redesignation usually preserves the underlying entity while altering its official name, type, or code. Redesignations are typically enacted by an authority with jurisdiction over the entity—parliament, ministry, agency, or naming board—and may be motivated by policy reforms, administrative simplification, cultural considerations, or changes in function.

In military contexts, redesignation can reflect a change in role or command structure, such as a unit being redesignated from infantry to armor or being reassigned to a different corps. In geographic naming, authorities may redesignate places to acknowledge historical figures, settlements, or to reflect linguistic and cultural sensitivity, sometimes following public consultation. In administration or corporate settings, departments, programs, or product lines may be renamed to align with updated missions, branding, or regulatory categories. Redesignation often requires updates to official records, maps, databases, legal codes, and external references, and may involve transitional arrangements and effective dates.

Challenges can include confusion during the transition, the need for widespread information campaigns, and ensuring continuity of records and lineage. See also name change, rebranding, renaming, and disambiguation.