The small Pacific island nation long known as Nauru is taking back its original identity. The country has officially restored its traditional name, changing its official title to the Republic of Naoero.
The decision brings back a name that was lost during European colonial rule more than a century ago. At that time, foreign colonisers changed the name to "Nauru" because they found the indigenous name difficult to pronounce.
President David Adeang explained that the government cancelled a planned public vote because the change was already widely supported. The name Naoero is already on the national coat of arms and spoken daily by local residents.
Under the change, the country's short name is Naoero, and its roughly 12,000 citizens are now referred to as dei-Naoero. The government has already notified foreign nations and international organisations about the transition.
Naoero is the world's third-smallest country, after Vatican City and Monaco. President Adeang said the change is not about politics, but about honoring ancestors and protecting the island's culture for future generations.
The island's native language, called dorerin Naoero, is classified as severely endangered by UNESCO. Although it is spoken at home, it is not currently taught in schools. However, a recent law will incorporate the language into the school curriculum in the future.