The Pacific island nation formerly known as Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, adopting its traditional indigenous name in a landmark move aimed at reclaiming its cultural heritage and national identity.
The constitutional change makes Naoero the country’s new official name in both domestic and international use. According to Reuters, President David Adeang said the decision reflects the country’s desire to honour its language, history and identity.
According to the government, “Nauru” was a name adopted during the colonial era because foreigners found it easier to pronounce than the indigenous name, “Naoero.”
With the change, the country’s abbreviated international name will become Naoero, while its international country code will transition from NRU to NRO. Citizens will also be officially known as dei-Naoero, replacing the previous designation of Nauruans. The renaming follows the passage of a constitutional amendment by Parliament in May 2026. Although the government initially proposed holding a national referendum, President Adeang later announced that a public vote was unnecessary because “Naoero” has long been used by the local population, appears on the national coat of arms and is already recognised under the country’s constitution.
Home to about 12,000 people, Naoero is the world’s third-smallest sovereign state, after Vatican City and Monaco, and the world’s smallest island republic. The nation, located in the central Pacific Ocean, has faced significant economic challenges following the depletion of its once-lucrative phosphate reserves, while also confronting the growing impacts of climate change. Government officials stressed that the renaming is not a political exercise but a cultural one designed to preserve the country’s indigenous identity for future generations. The administration has begun notifying the United Nations, foreign governments and international organisations of the change, with updates to official documents, aircraft registrations and maritime records already underway.
Naoero joins a growing number of countries that have restored indigenous or historic names in recent years as part of broader efforts to shed colonial-era identities and reinforce national heritage. Officials believe the move will strengthen cultural pride while presenting the country to the world under a name chosen by its own people rather than one shaped by colonial convenience.
