Talk:Nauru

Nauru did not have highest GDP per capita

Removed part that stated Nauru boasted the highest per-capita income enjoyed by any sovereign state in the world during the late 1960s and early 1970s. This is unsourced and further research such as UN data appears to show this statement is in fact false

References

Are Vatican City and Monaco really countries?

It says here they are city-states, and according to Wikipedia, a "city-state" is a city. Making Nauru (technically) the smallest country in the world. 187.175.48.172 (talk) 21:37, 3 August 2022 (UTC)

City-states are generally considered countries, by dint of the state part of the descriptor. CMD (talk) 23:15, 3 August 2022 (UTC)

Monaco and the Vatican are countries but Naoero (Nauru) is the smallest republic. Monaco is a monarchy and the Vatican might be one, but the Pope is elected. Vanguard10 (talk) 01:48, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Flora and Fauna

In geography section “There are no native land mammals…”. This is incorrect: Humans are native to the island - I understand these are mammals ; to ignore this fact is highly anthropocentric. Robertowalton (talk) 20:47, 31 March 2023 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion:

• Nauru Bwiema.ogg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. —Community Tech bot (talk) 18:24, 30 May 2025 (UTC)

Tribes section – proposal for expansion

Hi all, At the moment the article only mentions that Nauru has twelve tribes, connected to the twelve-pointed star on the flag. This is very minimal. In fact, the tribes are one of the core parts of Nauruan identity and history. Traditionally each tribe had its own chief, and descent is matrilineal (children inherit the mother’s tribe). The tribes also had distinctive clothing and symbols, which helped identify people. There is well-documented information on the twelve tribes, including their names, meanings and characteristics. Two tribes (Iwi and Irutsi) are considered extinct today, but still part of the cultural memory. Sources include Hambruch’s Nauru (Hamburg Südsee Expedition, early 20th century) and later Pacific ethnographic studies. I suggest we expand the history part with a short subsection listing the twelve tribes with their traditional names and background, properly referenced. This would give readers a clearer picture of Nauruan culture beyond politics and economics.

Created in meantime: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribes_of_Nauru

Tribes of Nauru - The Government of the Republic of Nauru

Kavamixer (talk) 02:35, 18 August 2025 (UTC)

obesity problem in summary is not mentioned at all in food/diet section

Passerby. Just thought this was strange as I was looking for an elaboration ~2026-9366 (talk) 12:29, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

It also doesn't have a citation. ~2025-40044-88 (talk) 19:17, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

Obesity is mentioned and sourced in the section on Health. Nikkimaria (talk) 15:21, 31 January 2026 (UTC)

Naoero name change - how to prepare?

I've heard about Nauru's amendment that will probably pass soon, and I was just wondering how we will handle the transition from Nauru to Naoero. Inactive000 (talk) | Political and geographical. 15:03, 19 May 2026 (UTC)

Let's wait to see if it becomes the WP:COMMONNAME (Cape Verde and Turkey failed this, Eswatini didn't) Higgs In Space (talk) 21:23, 19 May 2026 (UTC)

The redirect has already been created. If the usage becomes widely adopted, an RM will sort out this article and likely provide guidance as to the scope of similar moves. CMD (talk) 04:08, 20 May 2026 (UTC)

"On 26 June 2026, Nauru informed the United Nations that it had changed its name to Republic of Naoero." from the UN website LoneShadow42 (talk) 14:14, 10 July 2026 (UTC)

I propose the article and short name left as "Nauru" per WP:COMMONNAME for now but officially known as and info box changed to "Republic of Naoero" LoneShadow42 (talk) 14:20, 10 July 2026 (UTC)

 Done PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 17:41, 10 July 2026 (UTC)

I'd like to update Template:Editnotices/Page/Nauru to reflect the UN name change, but am not sure how. –LaundryPizza03 (dc̄) 02:08, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

try adding an edit request to the talk page. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 02:10, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

No, I can do that myself, but I'm not sure what change to make. –LaundryPizza03 (dc̄) 02:16, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

Just remove the Naoero part of the notice. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 02:24, 13 July 2026 (UTC)

English pronunciation

Nauruans pronounce it "NAH-roo" (or perhaps NAW-roo) when speaking English. We should list it, but I don't have a written source (just video). — kwami (talk) 09:28, 20 May 2026 (UTC)

It it already is listed in the first note in the lead along with the alternative pronunciation of nah-oo-roo. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 11:29, 20 May 2026 (UTC)

That's NOW-roo. Sorry, respelling is ambiguous. I meant /ˈnɑːruː/, which is how I've heard Nauruans (/ˈnɑːruənz/) pronounce it when speaking English.

Latest was a tourist interviewing someone on a visit to the country; he said it multiple times. The guy had been educated in Australia, so perhaps it's an Australian pronunciation. But even if so, given the large number of Nauruans educated in Oz, and with the only two foreign embassies being Oz and Taiwan, it's presumably the local English pronunciation as well.

Maybe I could add "locally /ˈnɑːruː/" with a link?

We're probably going to need an English pronunciation for Naoero as well. Maybe if the name change occurs, we could similarly base it on English-speaking Nauruans? — kwami (talk) 23:18, 20 May 2026 (UTC)

Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster both specify /nɑːˈuru/. The Guardian on the name change specifies /ˈnaʊru/.

What about the new official name as well? The Guardian article says it's /naʊˈɛroʊ/. –LaundryPizza03 (dc̄) 00:49, 18 July 2026 (UTC)

Actually, it doesn't indicate where the stress falls.

I wonder if "NAH-roo" is just how the OW sound is pronounced before R. — kwami (talk) 06:47, 18 July 2026 (UTC)

Official short-form name change to Naoero

References:

1. Nauru officially changes name to Naoero - ABC News, 30 July 2026 (accessed 30 July 2026)

2. Nauru officially changes name to Naoero 'after thoughtful deliberation', bypassing referendum - RNZ, 30 July 2026 (accessed 30 July 2026)

BRichards85Mk2 (talk) 11:21, 30 July 2026 (UTC)

that is correct, however for now the common name is still Nauru for now. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 16:58, 30 July 2026 (UTC)

OK, thanks for clarifying.

BRichards85Mk2 (talk) 00:05, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Considering that Turkey's page still uses Turkey instead of Türkiye, i'd say it makes sense for Nauru's page to use Nauru instead of Naoero Escostick (talk) 18:43, 30 July 2026 (UTC)

Requested move 3 August 2026

Nauru → NaoeroNaoero – ‎Title is self explanatory GucciNuzayer (talk) 11:21, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

Wikipedia uses the WP:COMMONNAME, not the official name, and that will remain Nauru for quite some time. Asamboi (talk) 11:26, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

Oppose for now, I would imagine naoero would become common as the country is not talked about often and people who are aware of Nauru are well informed about geography and likely heard about the name change. Seod13ie (talk) 17:01, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

WP:RM Danners430 _{tweaks made} 11:26, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support change to Naoero - Naoero is the common name the official name is Republic of Naoero. But I still do think that this should not be done immediately, or at least until https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#search/code changes the listing to Naoero and NRO for name and country code. But after this I feel that having the ISO and the UN (see https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states/naoero).

Linux_Luvver@root:~$_sowidawity (blab) 20:38, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Strong oppose, as per WP:COMMONNAME. A broad consensus among sources is necessary, and that is not achieved. _{In solidarity} Wikipedian12512 (Talking is fine | contribs) 01:03, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

I do see your point I will oppose for now, but overall I will support the change when consensus is greater. Linux_Luvver@root:~$_sowidawity (blab) 01:22, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

But not entirely opposed either. Linux_Luvver@root:~$_sowidawity (blab) 01:25, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

See above, and Türkiye is a good analogy. Lake Eyre (discussion just revived after 12 years) is another example. Laterthanyouthink (talk) 13:18, 1 August 2026 (UTC)

but then what about Eswatini? GucciNuzayer (talk) 00:33, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

WP:OTHERSTUFFEXIST. If you believe Swaziland is a better name, request the change there instead. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 00:36, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support change to Naoero - Naroero is the common name for those who are well informed. Certainly, there should be a redirect of Nauru to Naroero, not a complete deletion. The government of New Zealand has already updated their website. https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/nauru If I were to predict, however, Wikipedia will be very slow and be behind the times, not changing it until Wikipedia is really embarrassed to have the outdated name. That's too bad but may happen again. Vanguard10 (talk) 21:52, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

  Fun fact - Wikipedia isn't just for people who are well informed. Danners430 _{tweaks made} 21:58, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

  Okay, and? It's for people who are trying to inform themselves. If Nauru redirects to Naoero then they may learn about the official name change --Gimmethegepgun (talk) 17:43, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  And they still will if we put a “also known as Naoero”. _{In solidarity} Wikipedian12512 (Talking is fine | contribs) 17:51, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  @Vanguard10: Move discussions require community-wide discussion, not local discussions like this thread. If you believe the name of this 58-year old country has shifted within a few weeks, open an official discussion instead. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 22:00, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

  Thank you for your comments. Given the slow nature of Wikipedia, I will not be starting the move discussion at this time. If one looks at Timor Leste, the Wikipedia move was discussed for several years but was not enacted until years after Timor Leste use became widespread over East Timor. In some ways, we have to abide by Wikipedia culture, even if it is a bit outdated and old fashioned. To do it now would be cutting edge, like the Government of New Zealand. To do it in 3 months would still be lightning fast. Good luck to the people of the Republic of Naoero. Vanguard10 (talk) 22:06, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

  It is possible to not move the article but just start the article with Naoero, such as "Naoero, formally the Republic of Naoero, formerly Nauru...." and decide on the move as a community discussion afterwards. Vanguard10 (talk) 22:08, 2 August 2026 (UTC)

  Technically, but that makes a normative claim in the same way a move would. Text uses a similar principle to commonname (WP:UEGN). CMD (talk) 01:55, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  I would support opening an RM in the next couple of weeks and/or if we find evidence that it's becoming a common name. However, I am not going to give any opinion on here as to whether or not I would actually support the move on here. Hurricane Clyde 🌀^{my talk page!} 13:50, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  The "next few weeks" aspect is tentative, it could be a few months as far as I'm concerned. Importantly, the onus is going to be on whoever supports a move to find evidence supportive of it. In particular, to find evidence that the name "Naoero" is commonly used. Hurricane Clyde 🌀^{my talk page!} 13:54, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  Good thinking. I honestly like that we recognize Naoreo instead of Nauru. Me personally, I don't think I want to make the change, but we may want to. If the UN doesn't change it within the next 30 days, best we keep Nauru. Viper12345678 (talk) 16:08, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  Hello Viper12345678. Your wish is a United Nations command. The United Nations has changed to Naoero. See https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states#gotoN Vanguard10 (talk) 22:16, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  I am not aware of any policy stating that Wikipedia should betray its principles so as to maintain its reputation. Dieknon (talk) 20:39, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Support - I don't get why we fight the inevitable so much. Especially when we know how circular reporting works. –uncleben85 (talk) 18:20, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

This is not a move discussion. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 18:34, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support change to Naoero - Naroero is already the WP:COMMONNAME. Plumber (talk) 19:21, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Support, going off eSwatini and the recognition of the name change by other states (like New Zealand). Mehrashehra (talk) 19:26, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

The trend Swaziland vs Eswatini changed in 2022. Can you provide the change in the trend for Naoero? Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 19:35, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Yes, and yet the article for Swaziland was moved to Eswatini in October 2018, only 6 months after the official name change. Google Trends (especially those focused on books, an extremely slow format) are not a reliable metric for COMMONNAME. Corsaka (talk) 00:41, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

And your format for this article is exactly what? News sources reporting that the country changed the name? Please. Give me a fucking break. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 00:46, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Comment and strong oppose. Please note that Plumber (talk · contribs) added a RM without indicating he added a RM notice on either, the edit summary, on the top of this section , two days after discussions were taking place. This move request is premature, even admitted by one of the "supporters". Claiming that "Naoero" is now the common name is patently false and the supporters have not demonstrated it has changed. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 19:32, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  Can you use reliable sources to show WP:CommonName? There is nothing wrong with formalizing what was already a de facto name change discussion, and this discussion is about the common name of a country rather than individual editors. Plumber (talk) 19:51, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  What is wrong is that you don't even indicate anywhere you opened a RM. I'm not going to provide sources since you are the person asking for a change. The WP:BURDEN is on you, not on me. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 19:54, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

  You still haven't provided a single source after opening this out of process move request… I've a very good mind to boldly close it as out of process. Danners430 _{tweaks made} 13:45, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Strong Opposes if this is a move discussion now guess I'll vote. as Asamboi said Wikipedia uses the WP:COMMONNAME, not the official name for now this is still Nauru. there are very few sources from after that change (excluding those about the change and those from official sources) so it would be best to wait a while until those exist for a new discussion about the common name. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 19:36, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

Note: WikiProject Micronesia, WikiProject Oceania, WikiProject Nauru, WikiProject Islands, and WikiProject Countries have been notified of this discussion. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 19:37, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose: Nauru is still the common name. I say give it a year or two, and revisit this later... Wikipedia is intentionally behind the curve on such things. MediaKyle (talk) 19:40, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support. Just like Eswatini, Nauru has English as an official language, so it makes sense to move the article, as it's going to quickly become the Common English name in those countries, and their varieties of English should be respected per WP:ENGVAR. I don't think it's comparable to countries like the Czech Republic or Turkey, where English is not an official language.-- Earl Andrew - talk 00:45, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  Just to add: Naoero is already the common name within the country. Nauru was only invented as an ease-of-pronunciation tool for foreigners. Corsaka (talk) 00:56, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  That's not correct - they are alternative spellings of the same name. As with Turkey/Türkiye, the spelling "Nauru" (c. 1888) is actually older than "Naoero" which was adopted with the revised Nauruan orthography of 1899. I T B F 📢 02:11, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose for now. I don't think WP:COMMONNAME has been demonstrated as yet. Since the name change was announced, the limited international media reporting about the country (excluding reporting of the name change) has continued to use "Nauru". See e.g. recent articles in The BBC and The Australian. I T B F 📢 02:07, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  Interestingly the official government website of Nauru/Naoero still uses Nauru. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 02:13, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  Even more interesting is that government website is almost inactive. There is some news from last month and the one before that was 2025. The website is old and outdated. Vanguard10 (talk) 06:00, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Procedural note, this discussion was not an RM, but was later changed to an RM here. This is why a lot of the earlier discussion does not make sense, and GucciNuzayer has been saddled with an opening statement not meant to be an RM opening statement and referencing a section title they did not make. CMD (talk) 02:17, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  I thought something was strange because I commented/edited thinking it was not a RM. It should be restarted eventually, maybe September 1st and the RM stricken for now. Vanguard10 (talk) 05:58, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Comment, the Turkey case seems relevant here. We'll probably have to wait until it becomes COMMONNAME. Amberkitten (talk) 11:33, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Strong support. Because an encyclopaedia is supposed to provide up-to-date information, when a country officially changes its name the encyclopaedia needs to follow that change immediately. Since 13 May, when this change took effect as law, there has been a country "Naoero" and no country "Nauru". When and if the change comes into common use or any other use is irrelevant. Errantios (talk) 12:06, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose for now. It's still too soon. Wikipedia doesn't need to follow official name changes immediately – it is in fact contrary to our policy to do so. As per our naming policy, we need to wait to see whether widespread common usage shifts as it did for Eswatini, or stays the same as it did for Turkey. I think it is likely that this will turn out more like Eswatini, but if that's the case, we should move this page after that happens – not before. If some editors are embarassed by being "behind the times", so be it. Justin Kunimune (talk) 12:18, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  If I said "May I introduce my friend X from Nauru" and somebody intervened to bring me up to date, I might merely be smiled at. But if I were an official who said "Madam President, may I present to you X, the ambassador of Nauru", my mistake would be culpable—maybe I could lose my job. The relevant WP policies seem to be geared to choice among arguable alternatives, but in the latter situation there is no arguable alternative: saying "Nauru" in that situation would just be wrong. And, when there are (or evidently can be) situations of that kind, IMO an encylopaedia that does not keep up to date will fail as a provider of accurate information. If I were a schoolteacher, should I still allow students to say "Nauru"; and, if I should, until when? (And BTW 'Turkey' is changing in the media where I am.) Errantios (talk) 13:47, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Weak support: it's probably too early to tell if Naoreo will become a common name among the media, but the name is now used on the websites of the United Nations and the New Zealand government, which is an argument for it being quickly adopted as a common name. I am not opposed to waiting more first, though. ArtemisiaGentileschiFan (talk) 13:33, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Strong oppose: This is an informal discussion that an editor, without any notification and very much out of process, converted into a formal move request. There has been zero evidence presented by any editor that the name has become the new WP:COMMONNAME, beyond links to official sources talking about the name change. No independent sources have been presented where the new name is mentioned in a context other than discussing the name change, so COMMONNAME is far from satisfied. Danners430 _{tweaks made} 13:44, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Strong support: Multiple sources as recording that Nauru is now known as Naoero, and international government institutions along with the United Nations are in the process of a mass rename to Naoero. Pax Brittanica (talk) 14:05, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Strong support: Wikipedia is a major contribution to the common discourse now not only directly as a source but also indirectly sourced by virtually every content provider in one way or another, and should be respectful of official decisions when it comes to renames. Ryanli (talk) 14:08, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Same reason why when Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is stripped of royal titles, he immediately loses "Prince Andrew" as a title. Ryanli (talk) 14:10, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support WP:NAMECHANGE is clear. There's a bunch of sources right now reporting that the country changed its name. See NPR for example. Thus the new name is being used to identify the current country. This shouldn't be controversial. « Gonzo fan2007 (talk) @ 15:09, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  The policy you stated says If the reliable sources written after the change is announced routinely use the new name, Wikipedia should follow suit and change relevant titles to match. but this has not been demonstrated and in fact the few reliable sources publish after do not use the new name. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 15:28, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Strong oppose - there is a difference between an official name and a common name, which many editors seem to forget. The title should stay the same until there is sufficient evidence that the new name is the WP:COMMONNAME, Ivory Coast, anyone? Cutlass^Ciera 15:17, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Strong support - Naoero is what the government is calling itself now, and has phased out the use of “Nauru” in formal speeches. If the government calls itself that and has phased out the formal name, the choice will become an obvious yes. FlamingMingo 🦩 15:52, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support - We could still include Nauru as "previously known as" or something to that effect, but if the country officially and legally changed its name I think it is best for the article name to reflect that. -Euphoria42 (talk) 16:48, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose, but revisit. Wikipedia uses WP:COMMONNAME, not WP:OFFICIALNAME. That is why it's Turkey and not Türkiye, FIFA and not Fédération Internationale de Football Association, and why it 6 months to be moved to Eswatini from Swaziland. The only sources that could be used to establish Naoero as the common name are those talking about the name change, and it's going to take longer than this for the new name to enter the vocabulary. Turkey is a bit of a different situation simply because your average person thinks about it more (and is therefore more likely to have its old name ingrained, keeping it more common), so this might be more like Eswatini's case since both countries are relatively insignificant. Türkiye also has the umlaut making it harder for English speakers to type. We should not move this for now, but we should revisit discussions eventually once Naoero may have become more common because, as of right now, it is not the WP:COMMONNAME. Crankitup94 (talk) 16:50, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose, the Turkey discussion covered this in exhaustive detail. WP:OTHERSTUFFEXIST is not a valid excuse for something as foundational as having consistent standards for names of countries. Swaziland should be renamed by that logic, though by now that one seems to have been adopted fairly broadly. Countries do not in fact determine their common name in other languages, and no one is arguing to not mention the official one. We also didn't call it the Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia. — jonas (talk) 17:52, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Close for now

There seems to be a consensus that WP:COMMONNAME is the deciding factor here. Therefore, until there is more news coverage (and not just of the name change itself), I think we should put off this discussion. _{In solidarity} Wikipedian12512 (Talking is fine | contribs) 14:12, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Unfortunately, that consensus means nothing because WP:COMMONNAME, itself, can cause conflict. It reads "In determining which of several alternative names is most frequently used, it is useful to observe the usage of major international organizations, major English-language media outlets...". So that could be the source of conflict if major international organizations use one thing and major English-language media outlets use a different version.

The way the above is written, Wikipedian12512 seems to suggests that only news coverage decides. Vanguard10 (talk) 18:16, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

An issue I see with many supports is that they support moving the page because of either legal or moral reasons, and none of them is Wikipedia policy. Others question Wikipedia's reliability as if we didn't have an Wikipedia article explaining that Wikipedia is not, and must not be, a reliable source.

Even worse, people saying "Support, it is now the common name" without providing a single piece of evidence to support their claim. For example:

• Government of Nauru officially announces withdrawal of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia - 31 July
• Immigration Minister Tony Burke is expected to deport an Afghan man to Nauru despite a tribunal finding he was sexually abused as a child - 2 August
• Pacific News Minute: Nauru plans to open embassy in Israel - 29 July
• Tbilisi Mayor: Nauru made correct and significant decision, driven by proactive work of Georgian Foreign Ministry - 31 July

I don't doubt that Naoero will become the common name, mainly caused by Australian and New Zealand sources as it happened to Eswatini with South African and Nigerian sources, but claiming today that the "common name" is the recent name due to official and news reports using it, is against the policies. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 19:28, 4 August 2026 (UTC)