Nauru President David Adeang announced at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday that his country is returning to an older name and pronunciation, Naoero, describing the move as a reaffirmation of the Pacific island nation’s heritage and identity.

Adeang told world leaders that the name Naoero had always been used by the country’s people and that restoring it was not an attempt to erase the past. He ended his address with a direct appeal to the international community: “Say our name.”

Nauru To Restore Traditional Name

Announcing the change during his address in New York, Adeang said there are moments when nations are called upon to reconnect with their history and identity.

“I have travelled far,” Adeang said before announcing the change. “There are moments in the life of a nation when its people are called to remember who they have always been. This is such a moment for us.”

Although Nauru and Naoero are essentially the same word, Adeang said the difference in spelling and pronunciation was significant.

“For many years, the world has known our country as Nauru. Nauru is how our name sounded to those who found it hard to say, and the world kept it,” Adeang said. “But it is not the name our people used among themselves.”

The country had announced the renaming in August after signalling its intention in February. Its international code will change from NRU to NRO, while its people will be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan.

The name commonly pronounced abroad as Now-roo will be pronounced Now-ero under the new naming convention.

A Reaffirmation Of Identity

Nauru covers around eight square miles and has a population of approximately 12,000 people. The island became independent in 1968 after periods of colonial rule involving the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Germany.

Adeang said the change was intended to restore an identity that had never disappeared.

“We do not make this choice to erase our past. We make it because we honor it. That name carries the memory of our ancestors, our language, and our identity. It has been there all along. Never lost, never absent. Today, we restore Naoero,” he said.

His remarks also addressed challenges facing Naoero, including rising sea levels, economic pressures and the country’s desire for greater respect on the international stage.

Countries That Have Changed Their Names

Naoero’s return to a traditional name places it among a number of countries that have changed or adjusted their names over the past century, including in response to modernisation or the rejection of colonial-era labels.

Swaziland changed its name to Eswatini in 2018, while Rhodesia became Zimbabwe in 1980 after the end of colonial rule. Dahomey became Benin in 1975, and Siam became Thailand in 1939.

Other examples include Persia becoming Iran, Burma becoming Myanmar, Upper Volta becoming Burkina Faso, Gold Coast becoming Ghana and Ceylon becoming Sri Lanka.

Turkiye, which had been officially named that since 1920, formally asked the United Nations in 2022 to use the spelling and pronunciation “Turkiye” in English as well.

‘Say Our Name’

Adeang framed the restoration of Naoero as a continuation of the country’s history rather than a departure from it.

After discussing the issues facing his people and the country’s place in the international community, he concluded his speech by returning to the central message of his announcement.

“Say our name,” Adeang said.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share