Nauru reverts to name of Naoero in big move for tiny island nation

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, updating its international code to NRO and adopting a new demonym, dei-Naoero, to better reflect its native language and heritage. This change underscores the nation's effort to reinforce its cultural identity and indigenous roots amid ongoing environmental and geopolitical challenges.

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially adopted a new name, becoming the Republic of Naoero to align with the spelling and pronunciation used in the national language. This change is accompanied by an update to the country’s international code, shifting from NRU to NRO, and a new demonym, with the inhabitants henceforth referred to as dei-Naoero rather than Nauruan. While previously known internationally as “Now-roo,” the revised name is pronounced “Now-ero.”

The government announced the change on its official Facebook page, describing it as a restoration of the traditional name that had been altered in international contexts due to difficulties foreigners faced in pronunciation. President David Adeang had initially proposed the change to parliament in January, emphasizing the importance of honoring the nation’s heritage and linguistic identity more accurately.

Parliament has approved the constitutional amendment required for the name change through two voting rounds, although it remains unclear whether the constitutional document has been formally amended. The government also stated it would not hold a public referendum on the matter, asserting that the name Naoero has never been lost to the people and is already reflected in the national coat of arms and everyday community use. The authorities maintain that the designation is consistent with constitutional provisions.

Naoero, with a population of about 12,000, ranks as the world’s third-smallest country by population, following Tuvalu and Vatican City. The island was historically colonized by Germany before administration was transferred to Australia, eventually achieving independence in 1968. Today, the low-lying atoll faces environmental threats from rising sea levels linked to climate change.

Adeang described the name change as a symbol of renewed national pride, signaling a cultural reaffirmation alongside ongoing challenges. The move reflects a wider trend among small island nations seeking to reinforce indigenous identities within global diplomacy and international recognition.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.