Nauru Becomes Republic of Naoero in Historic Move to Restore Indigenous Identity

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, marking a move aimed at restoring its traditional identity, language and cultural heritage. President David Adeang announced the change, saying the new name better reflects the country’s history and the way it has been known by its people for generations.

Along with the name change, the country’s international code will shift from NRU to NRO, while its citizens will now be referred to as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. The new name is pronounced “Now-ero”, differing from the internationally familiar pronunciation of “Now-roo.” The government said the country became known as Nauru largely because the traditional name was difficult for foreigners to pronounce. The renaming process was described as an effort to honour Naoero’s heritage, language and national identity rather than create a new identity.

The proposed constitutional amendment received approval from lawmakers after the required rounds of voting. Although a referendum was initially planned, the government later decided that a public vote was unnecessary, stating that Naoero has always remained part of the nation’s identity and is already reflected in community usage and national symbols. With a population of around 12,000 people, Naoero remains one of the world’s smallest countries. The remote coral island in the South Pacific gained independence in 1968 after periods of German colonisation and Australian administration.

The country experienced significant economic changes after phosphate mining brought wealth during the 1970s before collapsing in the 1990s, pushing Naoero into financial difficulties. Today, the island faces growing challenges from climate change and rising sea levels, prompting efforts to attract foreign investment and develop strategies for long-term sustainability.

The name change places Naoero among several nations that have moved away from colonial-era identities. Countries such as Eswatini and Türkiye have also adopted official name changes in recent years to reflect cultural identity and domestic usage.

The government said the transition will include updating the names of national aircraft, ships and official references, while diplomatic missions and international organisations are being encouraged to recognise the Republic of Naoero.