Pacific nation Nauru officially becomes Naoero, reclaiming traditional name

Official name change

The Pacific island nation formerly known as Nauru has officially become the Republic of Naoero, President David Adeang announced last week. The change follows a constitutional amendment first proposed in January and passed by parliament in May, which required two rounds of voting. Although the government initially planned a national referendum to confirm the move, lawmakers decided after extensive discussions that a public vote was unnecessary. A statement posted on the government's Facebook account on Thursday said the decision returns the country to its traditional name.

“The decision not to hold a referendum was made after careful consideration, because Naoero is not a new name that the population must adopt.”

The name Naoero matches the spelling and pronunciation in the national language, spoken as "Now-ero" rather than the colonial "Now-roo." The country's international code will shift from NRU to NRO, and its citizens will be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan.

Colonial legacy and identity

The government said the name Nauru emerged because foreigners found Naoero difficult to pronounce, a matter of convenience rather than choice. An earlier statement described the international name as a colonial imposition. The change is intended to strengthen national identity and cultural heritage.

“This is not about politics, but about identity, heritage, and preserving the legacy of our ancestors and strengthening the future of our children.”

The name Naoero already appears on the national coat of arms and is used within the community, the government noted. A statement said the name "has never been lost, but rather waiting to be fully embraced."

A turbulent history

The tiny coral limestone atoll, covering about 21 square kilometers (8 square miles), is home to roughly 12,000 people. It is the world's third-smallest country by population after Tuvalu and Vatican City, and the second-smallest full member state of the United Nations, ahead of Monaco. Colonized by Germany in 1888, the island was later administered by Australia, Japan, and a protectorate of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom before gaining independence in 1968. Phosphate mining brought enormous wealth in the 1970s, but the industry's collapse pushed the country to the brink of economic ruin in the 1990s.

Climate threat and future

Today, Naoero is among the nations most at risk from rising sea levels driven by climate change. The government has launched a paid citizenship program to attract overseas investment, aiming to fund the relocation of people and infrastructure away from the encroaching ocean. President Adeang described the name change as "the beginning of renewed national pride."

International recognition

The United Nations website now lists the country as Naoero, following a government request made in June. Australia and New Zealand's foreign ministries, as well as the U.S. and Chinese embassies in the region, have also adopted the new name on their websites. The transition process is underway, with the government having formally notified international organizations and other states. Palau, in the western Pacific, is the fourth smallest country by population.