Nauru Reclaims Traditional Name, Becomes Republic of Naoero

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially reverted to its traditional name, now recognized as the Republic of Naoero. This significant change was formalized after the parliament approved a constitutional amendment in May. President David Adeang announced the decision via social media late Wednesday, revealing that plans for a national referendum on the name change had been abandoned. He emphasized that this new designation reflects an existing identity embraced by the people rather than a new one that requires validation. The name Naoero is not unfamiliar to the citizens, as it is already featured on the national coat of arms and is commonly used within the community.

In his statement, President Adeang explained that the choice to forgo a referendum was made after careful consideration, asserting that Naoero is not a name in search of acceptance but rather a representation of the people's heritage. He noted that the name is already deeply rooted in the culture and identity of the nation. As part of this transition, the short-form name of the country will now be “Naoero,” and its inhabitants will be referred to as “dei-Naoero.” The government has taken steps to inform international organizations and foreign governments about this change, and the process of implementing the new name is currently underway.