Nauru Renamed as Republic of Naoero
The Pacific Island nation of Nauru has officially renamed itself the Republic of Naoero. This change aligns the country’s name with the spelling and pronunciation in its national language. The international code NRU will now be NRO, and its citizens will be referred to as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan.
Historically known abroad as Now-roo, the new name is pronounced Now-ero. This change aims to restore the island to its traditional name, as stated in an announcement on the government’s Facebook page. The country was initially known as Nauru because foreigners found the local name challenging to pronounce. President David Adeang proposed the change to honor the nation’s heritage, language, and identity.
The amendment received two rounds of voting from lawmakers. However, it’s unclear if it has been formally incorporated into the constitution. Nauru, with a population of 12,000, ranks as the world’s third smallest country after Tuvalu and Vatican City. Historically, the island was colonized by Germany and later governed by Australia before gaining independence in 1968. The country experienced economic turmoil when phosphate mining led to wealth in the 1970s but collapsed in the 1990s.
“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.”
Nauru, being at significant risk from rising sea levels due to climate change, has initiated a paid citizenship program to finance relocation efforts. President Adeang noted that the name change symbolizes a resurgence of national pride. After initial consideration for a referendum, it was decided that public voting would not be necessary, as explained by the government.
The renaming reflects a broader trend among nations moving away from colonial influences. Eswatini reverted from Swaziland in 2018, and Turkey requested a rebranding to Türkiye in 2022. Nauru’s decision will also lead to the renaming of national aircraft and ships, with efforts underway for international recognition of the change. The United Nations updated its records and the governments of countries like Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and China have recognized Naoero.