Pacific island nation adopts traditional name, updates international code and citizenship designation as part of move to strengthen cultural identity
Wellington, New Zealand: The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, aligning the country’s international identity with the spelling and pronunciation used in its national language.
President David Adeang said the change reflects the country’s traditional name and cultural heritage.
Under the move, the country’s international code will change from NRU to NRO, while its citizens will be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruans.
According to the government, the country became internationally known as Nauru largely because its local name was difficult for foreigners to pronounce. Officials described the previous designation as a matter of convenience rather than choice.
“This proposed change seeks to more faithfully honour our nation’s heritage, our language, and our identity,” Adeang said when introducing the proposal to parliament in January.
The constitutional amendment received the required parliamentary approval through two rounds of voting, although it was not immediately clear whether the constitution had been formally amended.
With a population of around 12,000, Naoero is the world’s third-smallest country by population, behind Tuvalu and Vatican City.
The island nation, located in the South Pacific, was previously colonised by Germany and later administered by Australia before gaining independence in 1968.
Naoero experienced significant economic prosperity during the 1970s through phosphate mining, but the collapse of the industry in the following decades pushed the country into severe financial difficulties.
Today, the nation is considered among the countries most vulnerable to rising sea levels linked to climate change. Its government has sought overseas investment through a citizenship-by-investment programme aimed at funding the relocation of people and infrastructure from areas threatened by coastal encroachment.
In announcing the name change, Adeang described it as the beginning of a renewed sense of national pride.
The government said lawmakers ultimately decided a public referendum was unnecessary after extensive discussions.
“The name Naoero has never been lost, but rather waiting to be fully embraced,” the government said in a statement.
Officials noted that the designation already appears on the national coat of arms, is commonly used within the community and is recognised under the country’s constitution.
The decision follows similar moves by other countries seeking to adopt names that more closely reflect their cultural identity and heritage. Naoero’s government said it is working with international organisations and foreign governments to ensure recognition of the change.
The United Nations has already updated its records to reflect the country’s new name following a request submitted in June, while Australia, New Zealand, the United States and China have also adopted the new designation on official platforms.
The name change will also require updates to the country’s aircraft and maritime registrations.
