The Pacific Island country of Nauru has changed its name to the Republic of Naoero. The president stated that the change matches the spelling and pronunciation used in the national language.
The move signals a shift away from the nation's colonial past. The island in the South Pacific wanted its name to more closely match how it is said in the language spoken by its people. While commonly known abroad by the pronunciation of Now-roo, the new name is spoken as Now-ero.
As part of this transition, the country's international code will change from NRU to NRO. The people will also be known as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan.