Nauru officially changes its name to Naoero

The Pacific Island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, aligning with its traditional spelling and pronunciation in the national language. This change, announced by President David Adeang, signals a move away from its colonial past and aims to honor the nation's heritage and identity. The country's international code will shift from NRU to NRO, and its people will be known as dei-Naoero. The decision follows parliamentary endorsement and is intended to reflect the nation's existing identity, which is already present on its coat of arms and spoken within the community. This renaming aligns Nauru with other countries that have reverted to traditional names, such as Eswatini and Türkiye.

The Pacific Island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, aligning with its traditional name in the national language. This change, effective August 3, 2026, will also alter the country's international code from NRU to NRO, and its people will be known as dei-Naoero. President David Adeang stated the move honors the nation's heritage, language, and identity, returning to a name that was previously difficult for foreigners to pronounce. Lawmakers have endorsed the constitutional amendment, and international bodies like the United Nations, along with several foreign ministries, already recognize the new name. This renaming follows a trend of countries, such as Eswatini and Turkey, reverting to indigenous names to signify a break from colonial pasts or for national rebranding.

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its short-form name to "Naoero," reclaiming its traditional name that was altered during colonial rule over a century ago. The constitutional amendment was passed by parliament in May, and President David Adeang confirmed that a national referendum was deemed unnecessary as Naoero is already the people's identity. This change honors ancestral heritage and aims to preserve the legacy of the Nauruan people. Citizens will now be referred to as "dei-Naoero." The government has informed international organizations and other countries of the transition, which is already underway. The renaming is described as a heritage-focused initiative rather than a political one, intended to strengthen the future of the nation's children.