After Cambodia's independence in 1953, Prince Sihanouk created a novel terminology, referring to the country's highland inhabitants, including the Bunong, as Khmer Loeu ("upland Khmer"). Under the People's Republic of Kampuchea (1979-89), the generic term ជនជាតិភាគតិច (chuncheat pheaktech) "ethnic minorities" came to be in use and the Bunong became referred to as ជនជាតិព្នង (chuncheat pnong) meaning "ethnic Pnong".
Upon Cambodia's attainment of independence in 1953, Prince Sihanouk established a distinctive lexicon, designating the country's mountainous inhabitants, including the Bunong, as Khmer Loeu ("upland Khmer"). During the People's Republic of Kampuchea era (1979-89), the term "ethnic minorities" gained popularity and the Bunong were referred to as "ethnic Pnong".