The Pacific island nation long known internationally as Nauru has officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero, restoring the traditional name used in its national language and by its people.
President David Adeang said the change reflects the country’s identity, heritage and connection to its ancestors. The government says the name “Nauru” came into wider use because foreign visitors found the Indigenous name Naoero difficult to pronounce. Naoero is pronounced approximately “Now-ero.”
The change followed a constitutional amendment introduced to Parliament on 29 January 2026. After a 90-day period, members of Parliament unanimously supported the amendment, which was certified by Speaker Marcus Stephen on 13 May.
A national referendum had initially been expected as part of the process. However, the government later determined that a referendum was not necessary, arguing that Naoero was not a new name being introduced to the population but an existing national identity already used within the community and appearing on the country’s coat of arms.
Under the change, the country’s shortened name will be Naoero, while its international country code will change from NRU to NRO. Its people will also formally be referred to as dei-Naoero rather than Nauruans.
The transition is already visible in official government documents. Government gazettes issued in June carry the heading “Republic of Naoero,” while recent government announcements have increasingly used Naoero in reference to the country.
International organisations and foreign governments have also been notified and are beginning to adopt the new name.
Naoero has a population of around 12,000 people and covers just 21 square kilometres, making it one of the smallest independent countries in the world.
The name change places the Pacific nation among countries that have moved to restore names more closely connected to their own languages, histories and national identities.
