Pacific island state Nauru officially renames itself the Republic of Naoero, restoring the pre-colonial indigenous name
Nauru, the world's third-smallest country, officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero on August 4, restoring the traditional Nauruan-language name that colonial administration had anglicised to 'Nauru'; Nauru's president announced the change, which takes the country back to its indigenous identity
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Summary
Nauru, the Pacific island state and the world's third-smallest country by area, officially renamed itself the Republic of Naoero on August 4. The change restores the indigenous Nauruan-language name that colonial administration, first German then Australian, had replaced with the anglicised "Nauru." Nauru's president announced the change, which is symbolic and administrative: international treaties, UN membership records, and diplomatic relations will need to reflect the new name over time. Naoero sits in the central Pacific, has about 10,000 residents, and has been rebuilding diplomatically after its 2024 switch of formal recognition from Taiwan to Beijing. It is the only country in the world that has no official capital, with Yaren as its de facto seat of government.
Why it matters
Name restorations by Pacific states are part of a broader indigenous-identity movement across Oceania, where decolonisation has moved from political independence toward cultural and linguistic reclamation. For Naoero, the name change also carries quiet diplomatic meaning: it distinguishes the country's self-presentation from its colonial-era identity at a moment when it is actively rebuilding its international relationships.
What to watch
- How quickly international bodies, including the Pacific Islands Forum and the UN, update their official records to reflect the Republic of Naoero
- Whether other Pacific states follow with similar name restorations or linguistic reclamation policies