NAURU’S government has introduced a constitutional amendment proposing to change the country’s name from Nauru to Naoero. This initiative, presented by President David Adeang, is now set to undergo further parliamentary procedures and a national referendum.
President Adeang emphasized that while Nauru has been recognized internationally since its independence, the proposed name change aims to more accurately reflect the nation’s heritage, language, and identity. He pointed out that the name Nauru was derived because foreign tongues struggled to pronounce Naoero, and this alteration was made out of convenience rather than choice. “Today, we have the opportunity to bring our name home,” he remarked.
The bill, known as the Constitution (Amendment) (No.2) Act 2026, seeks to amend the Constitution of Nauru 1968 by replacing all mentions of “Nauru” with “Naoero.” This change would also extend to any written laws, interpretations, and symbols across the country, ensuring a consistent representation of the new name regionally and internationally, including at the United Nations.
If approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament, the name change will proceed to a national referendum where eligible Nauruan voters will have the opportunity to decide on the amendment. The government noted that other nations, such as Eswatini and Türkiye, have made similar changes to honor their cultural identities, highlighting a global trend towards embracing indigenous names.
This potential name change represents a meaningful step for Nauru in reclaiming its identity and heritage while aligning more closely with the nation’s linguistic history. The public’s engagement in the referendum process is encouraged as it reflects a deep commitment to national pride and cultural significance.
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