Mexico's president is making one last attempt to get the "United States" out of Mexico - at least as far as the country's name is concerned.

The United Mexican States, or Estados Unidos Mexicanos, was adopted in 1824 after independence from Spain in imitation of Mexico's northern neighbor, but it is rarely used except on official documents, money and other government material.

Still, President Felipe Calderon called a news conference on Thursday to announce that he wants to make the name simply "Mexico". His country doesn't need to copy anyone, he said.