Nauru Renamed to Republic of Naoero to Reflect Heritage and Language

Wellington, New Zealand — The Pacific island nation of Nauru has adopted a new name: the Republic of Naoero. President David Adeang announced the change, aligning the country’s name with the spelling and pronunciation in the national language. The international code will shift from NRU to NRO, and citizens will be referred to as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. The traditional name, pronounced Now-ero, replaces the previous international recognition of Now-roo.

This decision restores the island’s original name. Historically, the name Nauru was used due to its simpler pronunciation for foreigners, a statement from the government highlighted. The intent behind this amendment is to honor the nation’s heritage, language, and identity, a sentiment echoed by President Adeang in January when he proposed it to Parliament. The amendment received the necessary legislative approval.

With a population of 12,000 people, Nauru stands as the third-smallest nation worldwide, following Tuvalu and Vatican City. Colonized by Germany and later administered by Australia, Nauru gained independence in 1968. The island experienced economic highs from phosphate mining in the 1970s, followed by economic challenges after the industry declined in the 1990s. Facing threats from rising sea levels due to climate change, the government has initiated a paid citizenship program to secure foreign investment, aiming to relocate citizens and infrastructure.

President Adeang described the name change as a step towards renewed national pride. Initially, a referendum was considered to confirm this change, but lawmakers concluded it was unnecessary. The government asserted that the name Naoero, already present in the national coat of arms and used in the community, aligns with the Constitution.

This name change marks a move away from a colonial past, similar to actions taken by other nations. For example, Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, reclaimed its historical name in 2018, as did Turkey, opting for Türkiye in 2022 on the international stage.

Consequently, Naoero will update designations for its national aircraft and ships. The government is working with international bodies and other nations to gain recognition for this shift. The United Nations has updated its records to reflect the new name since June, and countries like Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and China have acknowledged the change on their official platforms.