Nauru Renamed Republic Of Naoero

The Pacific island country of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero. This change brings its international identity in line with the spelling and pronunciation used in the national language.

President David Adeang announced the change, which will also see the country's international code switch from NRU to NRO. Its citizens will now be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan.

The name Naoero is pronounced 'Now-ero', whereas Nauru was commonly pronounced abroad as 'Now-roo'. According to a statement posted on the government's Facebook account, the change restores the remote South Pacific nation's traditional name.

The government had earlier said Nauru became the internationally recognised name largely because foreigners found the local name difficult to pronounce, making its adoption a matter of convenience rather than choice.

Adeang said the change seeks to more faithfully honour the nation's heritage, language, and identity. Lawmakers endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment in the required two rounds of voting.

Naoero is the world's third-smallest country by population, with about 12,000 people. The tiny coral limestone atoll was colonised by Germany and later administered by Australia before gaining independence in 1968.

The country experienced immense wealth from phosphate mining during the 1970s, but the industry's eventual collapse pushed it close to economic ruin in the 1990s. Naoero is now among the countries most vulnerable to rising sea levels caused by climate change.

The government has sought overseas investment through a paid citizenship programme aimed at financing the relocation of people and infrastructure away from areas threatened by the advancing sea.

Adeang said the name change represented the beginning of renewed national pride. The government had initially planned for a referendum to confirm the change but decided it was unnecessary after extensive discussions.

The designation 'Naoero' is already the identity of the people, is on the national coat of arms, and spoken in the community, and is allowed by the Constitution.

The decision places Naoero among countries that have changed their internationally recognised names in moves away from their colonial past. The African kingdom of Eswatini reverted from Swaziland in 2018.

Other countries have pursued name changes as a form of rebranding. In 2022, Ankara asked the United Nations to use Türkiye instead of Turkey.

The name change is significant for Naoero as it moves beyond its colonial legacy and embraces its traditional identity.

This change is expected to have a positive impact on the country's national pride and identity. It also reflects the country's efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and language.