Nauru, 3rd smallest country, changes name to Naoero, reflecting native pronunciation

Nauru, the world's third-smallest country, has changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, matching native pronunciation. President David Adeang announced the change Monday, with the international code shifting from NRU to NRO. The move honors heritage and follows parliamentary approval. Nauru, with 12,000 residents, faces climate threats and seeks investment. The UN already lists the new name.

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero, reflecting the native pronunciation and spelling. President David Adeang announced the change on Monday, stating it honors the nation's heritage, language, and identity. The international code will shift from NRU to NRO, and citizens will be known as dei-Naoero. The name Naoero, pronounced Now-ero, replaces the commonly used Nauru (Now-roo). The change was proposed in January and passed two rounds of parliamentary voting, though it remains unclear if the constitution has been formally amended. With 12,000 residents, Nauru is the world's third-smallest country by population. The island, colonized by Germany and later administered by Australia, gained independence in 1968. After phosphate mining boomed in the 1970s and collapsed in the 1990s, the country faced economic ruin. Now threatened by rising seas, Nauru seeks overseas investment through a paid citizenship program. The name change aligns with a broader trend of post-colonial rebranding, as seen with Eswatini and Turkey. Nauru also plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem, and the UN already lists the country under its new name.