The Pacific island nation formerly known as Nauru has officially adopted its traditional name, becoming the Republic of Naoero, following a constitutional amendment approved in May 2026.
President David Adeang confirmed that plans for a national referendum had been withdrawn, saying the change reflects the country’s longstanding identity rather than introducing a new one. The government has begun notifying international organisations and foreign governments as the transition to the new name proceeds.
The renaming aims to restore the country’s traditional Indigenous name, Naoero, which was altered to Nauru during the colonial era after European colonisers found the original name difficult to pronounce.
The government says the change recognises the nation’s cultural heritage and ancestral identity. It has also pledged to strengthen the use of the endangered dorerin Naoero language, which is expected to be introduced into schools under legislation passed in 2025.
Home to around 12,000 people, the Republic of Naoero is the world’s third-smallest sovereign state.
ℹ️ Al Jazeera
Follow on social media TikTok@tut0ughInstagram@tut0ugh Threads@tut0ugh X@tut0ugh YouTube@tut0ugh
