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Nauru, the world's 3rd-smallest country, changes its name to Naoero
NPR • • world
Key Points:
- Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero to align with the spelling and pronunciation in its national language, with the international code changing from NRU to NRO.
- The name change reflects a return to the country's traditional name, aiming to honor its heritage, language, and identity, as stated by President David Adeang.
- The decision was endorsed by Parliament without a public referendum, as the name Naoero is already used domestically and recognized on the national coat of arms.
- Nauru, one of the world's smallest countries by population, faces significant challenges including economic decline after phosphate mining collapsed and threats from rising sea levels due to climate change.
- The name change is part of a broader trend of countries reclaiming indigenous or historic names, similar to Eswatini and Türkiye, and international bodies like the UN and regional governments have updated their references accordingly.
