WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, as announced by President David Adeang. The new name reflects the traditional spelling and pronunciation in the nation’s local language, aiming to honor the country’s cultural heritage.
Name Change Details
The international code for the country will shift from NRU to NRO, and its citizens will now be referred to as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. While the name Nauru has been commonly pronounced as Now-roo globally, Naoero is articulated as Now-ero.
President Adeang previously stated that the name change was intended to more accurately represent the nation’s identity, culture, and language. This decision was proposed to Parliament in January, and the necessary constitutional amendment has been approved through two rounds of voting by lawmakers, although confirmation of formal amendment status remains unclear.
Nauru, with a population of approximately 12,000, is recognized as the third smallest country in the world by population, following Tuvalu and Vatican City. It gained independence in 1968 after being colonized by Germany and later administered by Australia. The nation has faced significant economic challenges since the collapse of its phosphate mining industry in the 1990s, which had previously generated substantial wealth.
Currently, climate change poses a severe threat to Nauru due to rising sea levels. To address these challenges, the government is pursuing international investments through a citizenship program designed to help fund relocation efforts for its population and infrastructure.
The rename is expected to foster a sense of national pride, according to President Adeang. Previously, a national referendum was suggested to confirm the change, but the government decided against it following discussions. The recent government statement emphasized that the name Naoero has always been a part of the national identity and is legally supported by the country’s Constitution.
This change aligns Naoero with other nations that have moved away from colonial names, such as Eswatini, which reverted from Swaziland in 2018, and Turkey, which requested international recognition of its name as Türkiye in 2022. Nauru’s transition will necessitate updates to the names of its national aircraft and vessels, and efforts are underway to secure formal recognition of the new name by international entities.
The United Nations has acknowledged the name change, with updates already made to its official records. Similarly, government websites from Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and China list the country as Naoero.
Why It Matters: The rename signifies a broader trend among nations to reclaim indigenous identities and distance themselves from colonial legacies, reflecting both cultural pride and a commitment to national heritage amid ongoing global challenges.