Republic of Naoero: A Name Change Reflecting Heritage

Wellington, New Zealand – The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, aligning with the spelling and pronunciation in its native language. This change affects several national designations, as its international code will switch from NRU to NRO, and its citizens will be referred to as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruans. While commonly pronounced as Now-roo abroad, the new name is articulated as Now-ero.

A statement from the government, posted on Facebook, explained that the international name Nauru was adopted primarily for ease of pronunciation among foreigners rather than as a choice. President David Adeang emphasized the intention behind the name change, stating, “This proposed change seeks to more faithfully honor our nation’s heritage, our language, and our identity.” After proposing the move in January, Adeang secured the necessary parliamentary support through two rounds of voting, though formal amendment of the constitution remains pending.

A Historical Journey

Nauru, with a population of 12,000, is the world’s third-smallest country, behind Tuvalu and Vatican City. Historically, the island was colonized by Germany and later administered by Australia until it gained independence in 1968. Economic fortunes shifted dramatically due to phosphate mining, which initially generated significant wealth during the 1970s, before its collapse plunged Nauru into economic challenges by the 1990s.

Currently, Naoero faces threats from rising sea levels due to climate change, compelling the government to introduce a paid citizenship program to facilitate overseas investments aimed at relocating people and infrastructure.

A Symbol of Renewed National Pride

President Adeang views the name change as “the beginning of renewed national pride.” In May, when the government last voted on the proposal, Adeang announced the intention to hold a referendum to cement the change. However, lawmakers decided after extensive discussions that a public vote was unnecessary. A statement clarified, “While a referendum is intended to determine the will of the people, the name Naoero has never been lost, but rather waiting to be fully embraced.”

The name is already integral to the national identity, as it appears on the coat of arms and is spoken within communities. Importantly, the constitution permits this designation.

Renaming Efforts and International Recognition

Naoero follows other nations in shedding colonial remnants, akin to Eswatini’s switch from Swaziland in 2018 and Turkey’s request for international recognition as Türkiye in 2022. Following the name change, Naoero plans to rename its national aircraft and ships. Efforts to gain recognition from other countries and international institutions are underway. The United Nations already lists the country as Republic of Naoero, following a request for the alteration in June. Additionally, Australia and New Zealand’s foreign ministries, along with U.S. and Chinese embassies in the region, have updated their records accordingly.