World's Third-Smallest Country, Nauru, Changes Name to Republic of Naoero

The Republic of Nauru, a small island nation in the South Pacific, has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero. President David Adeang announced the change, which aligns the country's international name with its traditional spelling and pronunciation in the Naoero language.

The alteration will also update the country's international code from NRU to NRO, and its citizens will now be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. The pronunciation, previously often rendered as 'Now-roo,' will now be spoken as 'Now-ero,' reflecting the native tongue more accurately.

According to a government statement, the move aims to return the nation to its traditional name, which was previously altered internationally for ease of pronunciation by foreigners. President Adeang stated in January during a parliamentary proposal that the change "seeks to faithfully honor our nation’s heritage, our language, and our identity."

Nauru, with a population of 12,000 residents, ranks as the world's third-smallest country by population, following Tuvalu and Vatican City. The island nation gained independence in 1968 after being colonized by Germany and administered by Australia. Its history includes periods of significant wealth generated from phosphate mining in the 1970s, alongside tumultuous economic and political circumstances.

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This proposed change seeks to faithfully honor our nation’s heritage, our language, and our identity.