Nauru Renames Itself to Naoero, Embracing New Identity

WHO:

ABC News - President David Adeang proposed the name change to Parliament.

AP News - The people of Nauru will be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan.

WHAT:

ABC News - Nauru has changed its name to the Republic of Naoero.

AP News - The country’s international code will change from NRU to NRO.

ABC News - The name change is intended to honor the nation’s heritage, language, and identity.

AP News - The government decided a public vote wasn’t needed after “extensive discussions.”

ABC News - The name change will prompt the renaming of national aircraft and ships.

WHERE:

ABC News - Nauru is located in the South Pacific.

WHEN:

ABC News - The proposed change was announced in January.

ABC News - The government last voted for the name change in May.

ABC News - The government requested the name change to be recognized by the United Nations in June.

WHY:

ABC News - The name Naoero was chosen to align with the national language and to return to a traditional name.

AP News - The name change is seen as a shift away from a colonial past.

HOW:

ABC News - The suggested constitutional amendment has been endorsed by lawmakers in two rounds of voting.

(UPDATED August 3, 2026 16:24 UTC)

Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, with the people now referred to as dei-Naoero, a decision proposed by President David Adeang to Parliament. This name change, aimed at honoring the nation's heritage and language, will also lead to updates in the country's international code from NRU to NRO, as well as the renaming of national aircraft and ships. Lawmakers endorsed the constitutional amendment after extensive discussions, deciding that a public vote was unnecessary.