The smallest island nation in the world has adopted a more indigenous version of its name as part of efforts to move away from its colonial past as well as preserve a language deemed endangered. The move to rename the Republic of Nauru as the Republic of Naoero, to be pronounced as now-ero, is the beginning of a new national pride, the government of the island nation has said. The decision is about “identity, heritage, and preserving the legacy of our ancestors and strengthening the future of our children”, its President David Adeang had said of the revised name. The revision will apply to its citizens, who will now be addressed as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan, the government said, adding that it has formally notified other countries and international organisations of the name revision.

The government of the island nation, explaining the need for the change after a Bill to the effect was tabled in the country’s Parliament in January, said ‘Nauru’ emerged as a convenience and not a choice since foreign tongues could not pronounce ‘Naoero’ properly.