Azeroth

The name Azeroth has been applied in several different ways throughout the Warcraft series.

Azeroth (World)
Azeroth is the name of the world in which the majority of the Warcraft series is set. The world of Azeroth is the birthplace of many races, most notable being elves (night elves, high elves, and blood elves), humans, dwarves, tauren, goblins, trolls, gnomes and dragons.

Azeroth (Continent)
Azeroth is also the name of the southern most continent in the Eastern Kingdoms, which currently contains Stormwind, Elwynn Forest, Duskwood, Redridge, Stranglethorn Vale, Blasted Lands, Westfall, Burning Steppes, Deadwind Pass, and Swamp of Sorrows.

In early stages of World of Warcraft, Azeroth was used as the name of the entire eastern continent of the world, now called the Eastern Kingdoms.

Azeroth (Kingdom)
The Kingdom of Azeroth was one of the original seven kingdoms that split from the kingdom of Arathor. The nation was destroyed during the First War, with its refugees becoming part of the Alliance of Lordaeron during the Second War, and rebuilt following the Alliance victory over the Horde in that conflict. It was renamed the Kingdom of Stormwind after the Third War.

Possible Retcon
Up to and including Warcraft III, within the manuals, games, and novels, this kingdom was referred to as Azeroth, however in World of Warcraft and accompanying resources this kingdom is called the "Kingdom of Stormwind".

This name change appeared to be retroactive, as sources describing the kingdom even in a historical context refered to it as the "Kingdom of Stormwind". However, the Alliance Player's Guide, released June 2006, refers to the pre-Third War kingdom as the "Kingdom of Azeroth". This may have been another retcon in order to tie the various sources together. Alternatively, the modern name could have been applied in to the historical kingdom in some texts merely to aid in understanding and avoid unnecessary explanation. In real world contexts there are many examples of modern names of places being applied when discussing past historical versions of a location. In which case, there would not have actually ever been a "retcon" 'per se'. There are no examples of the former kingdom of Azeroth's name applying to modern kingdom of Stormwind.

Non-Warcraft

 * Azeroth (demon) supposedly from Syrian mythology.
 * Name of a world in the science fiction book, "Fires of Azeroth". Interestingly, some of the themes in this book (and the trilogy it ends) sound similar to those in Warcraft and this book first was published in 1979, well before the first Warcraft game.
 * Word from the Publisher
 * There was a star Gate in Azeroth marked by alien fires that Morgaine must seal. But Morgaine and Vanye have brought devastation to the peaceful land. For the hordes of Shiuan were on their heels, determined to conquer a new land for themselves and to avenge their lost planet.