Nauru officially changes name to Naoero

Via RNZ

Nauru has officially changed its name to 'Naoero', the Micronesian Island nation's governments announced in a statement on Wednesday night.

The Nauruan parliament had passed a constitutional amendment in May to rename the country 'Naoero' after the proposal was initially tabled by President David Adeang in January.

Adeang said at the time that while the name 'Nauru' had been recognised internationally since the island's independence, the proposed change sought to "more faithfully honour our nation's heritage, our language, and our identity".

However, a national referendum was expected to follow to complete the constitutional procedures.

Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic, with a population of approximately 12,000 and a land area of 21 square kilometres.

The government said in May that the name change would be reflected across national official records and symbols, and official identity regionally and internationally, including at the United Nations.

"The Republic of Naoero is the new official designation for what was previously known as Nauru. The abbreviated form will be Naoero, with the code updated to NRO, and the people will be referred to as dei-Naoero," the government statement said.

It added that Adeang delivered his opening message to parliament on 20 July and addressed the decision to return the country to its traditional name, Naoero, "following extensive discussions".

"The decision not to pursue a referendum was reached after thoughtful deliberation that Naoero is not a new name seeking acceptance by the people.

"It is already the identity of the people, is on the national coat of arms, and spoken in the community; and importantly is allowed by the Constitution.

"While a referendum is intended to determine the will of the people, the name Naoero has never been lost, but rather waiting to be fully embraced."

According to the Nauru government, a Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, proposing to rename Nauru to Naoero was tabled pon 29 January. It was followed by a layover period of 90 days and the unanimous vote by the members of parliament in favour of the change.

Speaker Marcus Stephen then certified the amendment on 13 May to enact the name change.

"International organisations and countries have formally been notified of the change and have begun making the transition," the government statement said.

"Naoero is the beginning of renewed national pride, and a new chapter founded on unity, responsibility, patriotism, better health, education, and sustainable development.

"The future of Naoero will be built by learning from the mistakes of the past and using their experience to make wiser decisions for the generations to come."

The United Nations said Nauru had informed it about changing its name to Republic of Naoero on 26 June.