Nauru Changes Name to Republic of Naoero

The Pacific Island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero. This change aligns with both the spelling and pronunciation in the country’s native language. As part of this transition, the international code for the country will shift from NRU to NRO, and the people will now be called dei-Naoero instead of Nauruans. While the country was popularly known as Now-roo, the new pronunciation is Now-ero.

A statement on the government’s Facebook page emphasized that the change restores the island nation to its traditional name. The name Nauru had been adapted for international ease of pronunciation rather than cultural accuracy. President David Adeang, who first proposed this amendment to Parliament in January, expressed the significance of this decision in honoring the nation’s heritage, language, and identity.

The constitutional change has received legislative support through two rounds of voting, though it is not immediately confirmed if the amendment is formally adopted. With a population of 12,000, Nauru ranks as the third-smallest country globally, only larger than Tuvalu and Vatican City. Historically, the island was colonized by Germany and governed by Australia before achieving independence in 1968.

Nauru’s economic story has been complex, experiencing significant wealth from phosphate mining in the 1970s, followed by economic decline in the 1990s. Now, the country faces significant challenges from rising sea levels related to climate change, leading the government to pursue investments through paid citizenship as a means to support relocation efforts.

President Adeang noted that the name change marks a new era of national pride. Unlike previous occasions, a referendum was deemed unnecessary after thorough legislative discussions. The government stated that Naoero has always been part of the national identity, visible on the coat of arms and used widely within the community.

Such name changes are part of a broader trend among countries moving away from colonial legacies. For instance, Eswatini reverted to its historical name from Swaziland in 2018, and Turkey requested international recognition as Türkiye in 2022.

As Nauru becomes Naoero, national vessels, including aircraft and ships, will also reflect the new name. The government is actively seeking recognition of this change by other countries and international entities. The United Nations has updated its records as per the government’s request, with recognition also observed by Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and China.