Nauru changes its name to Naoero
Nauru officially changes its name to Naoero
- Level
- B1
- Estimated time
- 30–40 minutes
- Reading
- 1 min read
The story
The Pacific island country of Nauru has officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero. The president, David Adeang, said the new spelling matches the national language and the pronunciation is now closer to how people say it at home. The government posted a statement on its Facebook account about the change. The new name is spoken as Now-ero, isn't it?
The country's international code will change from NRU to NRO, and the people will be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan. With about 12,000 residents, it is the world’s third-smallest country by population. The move returns the atoll to its traditional name and follows votes by lawmakers, doesn't it?
The government said that after extensive discussions a referendum was not needed. Some other countries and the UN already use the new name, and national aircraft and ships will be renamed. The statement also said the name is on the national coat of arms and is spoken in the community.
Officials say the change is meant to honour the country’s heritage, language and identity, and they are asking other nations and institutions to recognise Naoero. The UN website records the country by its new name after a government request earlier in the year.
Key vocabulary
- Republic
- A country with an elected government (used in the new official name).
- Naoero
- The new official name of the country formerly called Nauru.
- code
- A short international abbreviation for a country (like NRU or NRO).
- people
- The residents or citizens of the country.
- pronunciation
- The way a word or name is spoken aloud.
- referendum
- A public vote by citizens on an important issue.
- lawmakers
- Members of the country's parliament or assembly who vote on laws.
- atoll
- A small coral island or group of islands in the ocean.
Comprehension check
Write your answer, reveal the model answer, then score yourself honestly.
1. What is the new official name of Nauru?
2. How is the new name pronounced?
3. What will the country’s international code change to?
4. Why did the government say a referendum was not needed?
5. Which organisations already use the new name?
Grammar focus
Question tags
Question tags are short questions added to the end of a sentence to check information. They usually repeat the auxiliary verb and change to negative after a positive statement.
- The new name is spoken as Now-ero, isn't it?
- The move returns the atoll to its traditional name and follows votes by lawmakers, doesn't it?
Grammar exercise
Complete each sentence with the correct question tag. The verb in brackets appears in the reading text.
1. This week, the country changed its name, (changed) ___?
2. So far, the new name is spoken as Now-ero, (is) ___?
3. Already, the move follows votes by lawmakers, (follows) ___?
4. Recently, the government said no referendum was needed, (said) ___?
5. This month, some countries use the new name, (use) ___?
Discussion
For reflection or speaking practice — not graded.
- Do you think countries should return to traditional names? Why or why not?
- How can a name change affect people’s sense of identity in a country?
- What practical problems can happen when a country changes its name?
- How should international organisations respond when a country asks to change its name?