Nauru, a small Pacific island nation, is embarking on a significant transformation by seeking to change its name to 'Naoero'. This move, as President David Adeang explained, aims to honor the nation's heritage, language, and identity more authentically. The proposal, which passed Nauru's parliament unopposed, will now be put to a referendum, with the island's population of approximately 13,000 having the final say.
The name 'Naoero' is derived from the Nauruan language, pronounced 'Now-ero', which contrasts with the more commonly used 'Nauru', often pronounced 'Now-roo'. The government argues that the original name was chosen for convenience rather than cultural authenticity, as the Indigenous name was challenging for foreign tongues to pronounce. This is not the first time Nauru has considered a name change; it has a history of being christened with various names, from 'Pleasant Island' by British seafarers to 'Nauru' after German annexation.
The push for a name change is part of a broader trend of 're-Indigenisation' of placenames, where formerly colonised peoples assert their sovereignty by adopting local language pronunciations. This movement is evident in countries like Türkiye (formerly Turkey) and Eswatini (Swaziland), as well as the nearby Micronesian state of Chuuk, which changed from 'Truk' to its Indigenous name. Zoltán Grossman, a professor of geography and Native American studies, highlights the significance of name changes in the context of colonialism, where the power to change names has often been wielded to erase the presence of original peoples.
Jordan Engel, founder of the Decolonial Atlas, emphasizes the importance of self-determination in language and ancestral placenames. However, the process of changing a place's name is not without challenges. New Zealand's attempt to revert to its Māori name, 'Aotearoa', faced resistance in parliament, and the Cook Islands have grappled with the name of British explorer James Cook. Nauru's government, while declining to comment directly, has seen support from figures like Arcmen Willis, a wrestler who hopes for correct pronunciation of the new name.
The potential name change to 'Naoero' has already been adopted by the postal service, national health service, and utility provider. While the change may take time to become official, it is seen as a step towards language revitalization and cultural continuity. The Nauruan language, classified as 'severely endangered' by UNESCO, is not taught in schools but is spoken among friends and family. The name change is significant for how the country is recognized internationally, with local residents feeling that the change carries less weight in their daily lives.
