The Pacific Island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, according to a recent announcement by President David Adeang. This move aligns the country’s spelling and pronunciation with its national language, reflecting its heritage and identity more accurately. The international code will transition from NRU to NRO, and residents will be identified as dei-Naoero rather than Nauruan. Traditionally pronounced as Now-ero, the new name replaces the previously common pronunciation of Now-roo.
The decision represents a return to the country’s traditional name, acknowledged in a government statement shared on Facebook. Previously, Nauru became known internationally as a convenient adaptation of its challenging-to-pronounce local name.
President Adeang emphasized the significance of this change, highlighting its intent to honor the nation’s heritage and language more faithfully. He initially proposed this constitutional amendment to Parliament in January, and lawmakers have since endorsed it through the necessary voting processes. Although the document’s formal amendment status remains unclear, the endorsement signifies support for the change.
Home to 12,000 residents, Nauru ranks as the third-smallest country globally by population, following Tuvalu and Vatican City. Historically, this South Pacific island has witnessed significant challenges. German colonization and Australian administration preceded its independence in 1968. The 1970s brought wealth from phosphate mining, but the industry’s collapse in the 1990s led to economic challenges. Additionally, rising sea levels due to climate change pose ongoing risks. As part of its response, the government seeks foreign investments through a paid citizenship program, aiming to relocate people and infrastructure away from the encroaching seas.
President Adeang views the name change as indicative of renewed national pride. In May, when the government voted in favor of the amendment, a referendum was announced. However, recent statements clarify that lawmakers concluded a public vote was unnecessary after extensive discussions. The name Naoero reflects the existing identity of its people, appears on the national coat of arms, and finds constitutional support.
This renaming effort aligns Nauru with other nations abandoning colonial names. For instance, Eswatini transitioned from Swaziland in 2018, and Turkey requested a shift to Türkiye in 2022. Nauru’s decision involves renaming its national aircraft and ships, and it is working to gain international recognition for this change. The United Nations, responding to an official request in June, now records the country by its new name. Furthermore, the foreign ministries of Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and China now refer to it as Naoero online.