Nauru Officially Changes Its Name to the Republic of Naoero

The Pacific island country formerly known internationally as Nauru officially adopted the name Republic of Naoero in July 2026, replacing the colonial-era spelling with the country's traditional Indigenous name. President David Adeang confirmed the change as part of an effort to align the country's official international identity with the name used in the Nauruan language and its cultural heritage. The change followed a constitutional amendment passed by Naoero's Parliament in May 2026. Although a public referendum had initially been considered, the government determined that one was not required. The name "Naoero" was already established in national usage, including on the country's coat of arms. The official long-form name became the Republic of Naoero, while Naoero became the short-form country name. The government also adopted dei-Naoero as the term for its citizens, replacing the internationally familiar "Nauruans," and began transitioning the three-letter country code from NRU to NRO. The traditional name is pronounced approximately "Now-ero." President Adeang said the change was intended to restore the country's own name rather than continue using "Nauru," a spelling that developed through foreign and colonial usage. Naoero's history includes periods of German colonial administration and later Australian administration, with Britain and New Zealand also involved under international mandates and trusteeship arrangements. The country became independent on 31/01/1968. Its Indigenous language, Nauruan, has continued to use the form Naoero. The change also required practical updates beyond the constitution. The government notified the United Nations, while countries including Australia, New Zealand, the United States and China began updating official references to the country. Passports, government documents and other state materials are being changed progressively, while national assets such as aircraft and maritime vessels are also expected to reflect the new name as the transition proceeds. Naoero is a small island state in Micronesia in the central Pacific Ocean, just south of the Equator. With a land area of about 21 square kilometres, it is commonly described as the world's third-smallest independent country by area, after Vatican City and Monaco. The restoration of Naoero as the country's international name places its Indigenous-language identity directly into its formal diplomatic and constitutional usage. Why This Moment Matters: The renaming is more than an alteration of English spelling. It formally brings the name used by the state internationally into line with an Indigenous name already embedded in the country's language and national symbols, while requiring governments and international institutions to recognize that identity in their official records.