Why did the world’s smallest island nation revise its name? | Explained

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has officially changed its name to Naoero to honor its indigenous language and heritage. The government stated the move is intended to distance the country from its colonial history and foster national pride.
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 was 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 also apply to its citizens, who would now be addressed as dei-Naoero instead of Nauruan, the government said, adding that it has formally notified other countries and international organisation of the name revision.
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