The world's smallest independent republic is going to change its name via referendum

Satellite image of Nauru. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Nauru (stress on the second syllable) is a tiny coral island located in the central Pacific Ocean, slightly south of the equator. The country's area is only about 21 square kilometers, and its population is approximately 11,000 people. Only Monaco and Vatican City are smaller than Nauru, but they are not republics.

The island's history for the outside world began in the 18th century. In 1798, British navigator John Fearn became the first European to see this land. Impressed by the picturesque landscapes, he named the island Pleasant Island.

However, in subsequent centuries, the country's fate was complicated: Nauru successively fell under the control of Germany, Australia, Great Britain, and New Zealand. The republic gained true independence only in 1968.

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Nauru on the world map. Source: Wikimedia Commons

For a long time, this small country was known for its colossal phosphate deposits. In the 1970s, Nauru was even considered one of the wealthiest nations in the world per capita. However, intensive mining led to an ecological disaster: about 80% of the island's territory turned into rocky land, almost unsuitable for living.

Pragmatic Foreign Policy

A significant portion of modern Nauru's income comes in the form of financial aid from Australia. Canberra is also responsible for the defense of the island republic under an informal agreement. In return, Nauru agreed to host a regional processing center for migrants. Individuals who attempted to enter Australia by sea and sought asylum were sent there while their applications were being processed.

This camp provided a significant portion of Nauru's budget for years but severely damaged the country's international reputation: human rights defenders regularly reported harsh detention conditions and human rights violations on the island.

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Aerial view of Nauru. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Later, the country also came into the spotlight due to its foreign policy. In January 2024, Nauru severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and re-established them with China. In 2008, the country recognized the independence of Kosovo. However, later, in 2019, it announced the withdrawal of this recognition.

In 2009, Nauru became the fourth state in the world (after Russia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) to recognize the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Media at the time reported that in response to this step, Russia promised to provide the island republic with humanitarian aid totaling $50 million.

In March 2025, Nauru announced the launch of a "golden passports" program (Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program).

The initiative's goal is to raise funds for a large-scale project aimed at relocating about 90% of the population from coastal areas, which suffer from rising ocean levels, to a new community in the highlands in the center of the island. One can become a citizen of Nauru for a contribution of at least $105,000, and living on the island is not required.

Name Change

Now, the state has made headlines for another unusual reason. As reported by the state publication Advance Nauru, on May 12, 2026, the Parliament of Nauru unanimously approved a constitutional amendment to officially rename the state from "Nauru" to "Naoero" — which is how the island has always been called by indigenous inhabitants in their language.

However, according to the law, parliamentarians cannot make such a decision independently. The final say must come from the country's citizens in a general referendum.

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Parliament of Nauru. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

According to the official position of the state leadership, the renaming should become a symbolic return to national and cultural identity. President David Adeang, explaining the necessity of the changes, noted:

“While the name Nauru has gained international recognition since independence, this initiative is designed to more accurately honor our nation's heritage, our language, and our identity. The name Nauru only came about because foreigners could not properly pronounce ‘Naoero.’ It was changed not by our will, but solely for the convenience of others.”

The country's authorities draw parallels with other successful examples of decolonization of names that have occurred in recent decades: for example, when Burma changed its name to Myanmar, and Swaziland became Eswatini.

If the island's residents support the initiative in the referendum, the renaming process will affect absolutely all spheres of state life. The new name will be enshrined in the Constitution, appear on state symbols, passports, and official documents. Changes will also occur at the international level: from repainting national airline aircraft and marine vessels to changing signs at the country's representation at the UN.

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