Nauru’s government has proposed a constitutional amendment to officially change the country’s name from Nauru to Naoero. This initiative, put forth by President David Adeang, aims to honor the nation’s heritage, language, and identity more authentically. Adeang emphasized that the name Nauru was a result of foreign mispronunciation, chosen out of convenience rather than cultural representation.
The bill, titled the Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2026, was submitted to the Parliament in January and seeks to amend the 1968 Constitution of Nauru by replacing all instances of “Nauru” with “Naoero.” Furthermore, any written law that references Nauru would also substitute in the new name, ensuring that “Nauru” would be interpreted as “Naoero” moving forward.
Should the amendment receive approval, the name change would impact a wide range of national symbols, including the renaming of the country’s national aircraft and ships. Additionally, it would adjust Nauru’s official identity on both regional and international platforms, including at the United Nations.
The government has pointed out that numerous countries have recently altered their names to better reflect their cultural identities, including Eswatini and Türkiye, along with changes seen in the nearby region of Chuuk. The proposed amendment will require a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament, and if successful, it will lead to a national referendum where all eligible voters in Nauru will have the opportunity to weigh in on the name change.
This move reflects a growing trend among nations to reaffirm their identities and provide a voice to indigenous languages, potentially fostering a stronger cultural recognition on the global stage.