Upper Volta. Upper Volta (now named Burkina Faso) may refer to: French Upper Volta (1919–1932, 1947–1958) a territory in French West Africa (1919–1932) a territory of the French Union (1947–1958) Republic of Upper Volta (1958–1984) a self-governing republic of the French Community (1958–1960) an independent republic (1960–1984)