Pacific Island Nation Nauru Officially Reclaims Traditional Name 'Naoero'

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially reclaimed its traditional name, becoming the Republic of Naoero. This significant shift honors a name that was altered during colonial rule more than a century ago, reflecting a deep connection to heritage.

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

Nauru's parliament passed a constitutional amendment in May to enact the change. President David Adeang confirmed on Wednesday that a national referendum on the name change was deemed unnecessary. He explained that "Naoero is not a new name seeking acceptance by the people." Instead, he stated, "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."

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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.

The country's short-form name will now be Naoero, and its citizens will be known as "dei-Naoero." The government has officially notified international organizations and other countries of the transition, which is already underway. The original name, Nauru, dates back to European colonization when the native name Naoero was modified due to pronunciation difficulties for colonizers.

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

President Adeang emphasized that the renaming is not a political maneuver but a move centered on heritage, aiming to preserve "the legacy of our ancestors" while strengthening "the future of our children." Nauru, the world's third-smallest nation with approximately 12,000 residents, also faces the challenge of preserving its native language, dorerin Naoero, which UNESCO classifies as severely endangered. While still spoken, it is not currently taught in schools, though a bill passed last year mandates its future inclusion in the curriculum.

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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.