Nauru adopts traditional name Naoero after parliamentary amendment
Nauru's parliament approved a constitutional change in May, officially renaming the country to the traditional Naoero without holding a referendum.
Parliament of Nauru enacted a constitutional amendment in May that officially changes the country's name to the Republic of Naoero, abandoning the internationally known name Nauru. The proposal, first tabled by President David Adeang in January, was intended to honor the island’s cultural heritage and linguistic roots. Although a national referendum had been anticipated, lawmakers decided the name was already part of the people’s identity and the constitution, and thus certified the amendment on May 13 with Speaker Marcus Stephen’s approval.
The government announced the new short form Naoero, the ISO code NRO, and that citizens will be called dei-Naoero. International partners have been notified, and the United Nations recorded the change on June 26. Officials framed the renaming as a step toward renewed national pride and future development.
Why it matters
The name change signals a shift toward emphasizing cultural identity in Nauru's international representation.
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