Nauru Seeks to Reclaim its Heritage with Proposed Name Change to Naoero
Nauru is poised to embark on a significant shift in its national identity, with President David Adeang proposing a constitutional amendment to officially change the country’s name to Naoero. The move, tabled in Parliament in late January, aims to honor the nation’s heritage, language, and cultural identity, reclaiming a name lost to the convenience of foreign pronunciation.
According to a government statement released on Thursday, the name “Nauru” emerged because “Naoero” proved difficult for outsiders to pronounce. “It was changed not by our choice, but for convenience,” the statement explained. The proposed amendment seeks to replace all instances of “Nauru” with “Naoero” across the nation’s constitution and legal framework.
The initiative isn’t unique, the government noted, citing examples of other nations – including Eswatini, Türkiye, and Chuuk – that have altered their names to better reflect their cultural roots and foster national unity. The change, if approved, would extend beyond mere nomenclature, encompassing the renaming of national aircraft and ships, as well as adjustments to official representations at the United Nations and across all national records and symbols.
The amendment process requires a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament. Should it pass, the decision will then be put to a national referendum, allowing all eligible Nauruan voters to weigh in on the proposed name change. A date for the referendum will be set once parliamentary approval is secured.
The bill is currently undergoing a 90-day review period, as stipulated by law, before being brought back to Parliament for a second reading and debate. The move signals a deliberate effort by the Adeang administration to reassert Nauruan identity on the world stage.
President Adeang emphasized the importance of the change, stating that while “Nauru” has been internationally recognized since independence, the proposed shift to “Naoero” is about more faithfully honoring the nation’s core values. The government believes reclaiming its original name will resonate deeply with the Nauruan people and strengthen their sense of national pride.
The proposed constitutional amendment, formally titled the Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2026, will have far-reaching implications for the small island nation, impacting everything from official documents to international branding. The outcome of the parliamentary vote and subsequent referendum will determine whether Nauru officially becomes Naoero, marking a new chapter in its history.
