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)

YES by almost every official source (eg. United Nations, CIA World Factbook, World Bank, etc.) An editor from Mars (talk) 06:35, 7 August 2026 (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)

And will the page’s name be changed to Naoero? Erpagitheeditor (talk) 19:40, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Probabley not, right now there a few more votes to not move and Nauru is still the WP:COMMONNAME right now. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 19:43, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

How about we make a push to ultimately change it like Türkiye. Erpagitheeditor (talk) 19:45, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

You are welcome to vote in the move discussion below. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 19:49, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Ok I will… Erpagitheeditor (talk) 19:51, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Change the title to Naoero and add a redirect for Nauru TheSpacelover3 (talk) 11:43, 12 August 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)

Yes because turkey is the common name, same with Cape Verde, but Eswatini did change Seod13ie (talk) 19:53, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Requested move 3 August 2026

The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: no consensus. Closing note: copied from WP:NAMECHANGES; Sometimes the subject of an article will undergo a change of name. When this occurs, we give extra weight to independent, reliable, English-language sources ("reliable sources" for short) written after the name change. 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. (non-admin closure) Axolitl (talk | contribs) 21:49, 10 August 2026 (UTC)

Also, important to note that this RM began as a talk page discussion, before being "converted" into a RM. Axolitl (talk | contribs) 21:55, 10 August 2026 (UTC)

---

Nauru → NaoeroNaoero -Example (talk) 19:25, 3 August 2026 (UTC)

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)

Please explain why WP:OTHERSTUFFEXIST is relevant to me 7s3s (talk) 05:31, 5 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)

I have stricken a line above because when I wrote the comment, it was not a RM. It was merely a discussion. Since it has been changed after the fact to RM, I modify and strike out certain comments. I believe the correct way would have been to add the RM templates at the bottom as the most recent comment and then allow editors to comment after that, not add the RM template to the top after comments have already been made to a slightly different issue/emphasis. Vanguard10 (talk) 19:53, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

EVIDENCE OF CHANGE: Note that there was no RM template. The template, which completely changes the process, was added later, harming the process. See [] Vanguard10 (talk) 16:33, 7 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)

  what do you mean by "ALSO known as," that's its name ~2026-43177-17 (talk) 22:57, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  It's not "also known as Naoero", it's Naoero also known as "Nauru". ~2026-43606-70 (talk) 16:51, 8 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)

  yea that seems like the easiest way to do it ~2026-39937-48 (talk) 15:08, 6 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)

  Just noting institutional actors who have already completed the name change: United Nations. The Commonwealth. the Australian Government. the New Zealand Government. the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Pacific Island Labour Mobility. « Gonzo fan2007 (talk) @ 20:29, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

  Earl Andrew makes a good point about the differences between this and Turkey, Ivory Coast, and Eswatini, specifically regarding English as an official language of Naoero. « Gonzo fan2007 (talk) @ 15:17, 5 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)

Wait until Naoero is established as the common name Per many "oppose"s and "weak support"s above. Glide08 (talk) 19:59, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

Oppose for now, The name of the article will almost certainly have to be changed to Naoero at some point in time, but until W:COMMONNAME is met it's better to take the approach of the Ivory Coast wikipage by keeping the name of the page itself as it's common name "Nauru" and the name in the infobox as it's offical name, "Naoero." Lyfelight (talk) 20:26, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

makes perfect sense in my opinion, it should be palatable for your average person who doesn't keep up with these kinds of things but still acknowledge that it has in fact changed its name Local giraffe (talk) 22:09, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

• Cautious support I suppose, following the precedent of Eswatini, this change will happen sooner or later, so might as well make it sooner. PatGallacher (talk) 00:42, 5 August 2026 (UTC)
• Oppose for now as it has just happened and we don't get trophies for updating Wikipedia instantly. It may become a common name in the near future, and we can change it then based on usage. LizardJr8 (talk) 01:09, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Oppose not a WP:COMMONNAME Phudeptrai47540370870 (talk) 01:07, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Oppose - Per the Turkey discussion. This is very unlikely to ever become the common name. Wheatley2 (speak to me) (watch me) 01:48, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Oppose I knew this would be brought up, but WP:COMMONNAME exists for a reason. 9mm.trilla (talk) 03:38, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Strongly support Yeah, I know about WP:COMMONNAME, but didn't we change Swaziland to Eswatini? Wikipedia should be respectful of the people of Naoero's decisions even if the general public outside the country calls it Nauru... An editor from Mars (talk) 04:51, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Small correction, there was no referendum held in the country on this, so this is more a politician's decisions, and not the people (at least not directly.) Wheatley2 (speak to me) (watch me) 04:52, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

The constitution has been changed. It appears that a referendum, although expected, was not required. The country's name is now "Republic of Naoero". Errantios (talk) 12:03, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support It’s been confirmed through sources like the New York Times. Stephen"Zap" (talk) 01:08, 5 August 2026 (UTC)
• Oppose and revisit later, although I believe that Earl Andrew's support above is the strongest argument for moving, but not now. English is an official language in Nauru, and thus MOS:TIES should apply, in conjunction with WP:COMMONNAME. This article states Because of Nauru's history and relationship with Australia, Australian English is the dominant variety. Fork99 (talk) 10:32, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Yeah do it. It has changed to Naoero. Arian999(wh) (talk) 10:37, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose for now. Let's wait until it catches on. Staib (talk) 14:20, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

well the name has been changed now to naoero officially soo.. ~2026-43075-08 (talk) 17:34, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Support! Wikipedia already has a reputation for being sluggish until it can't be anymore, and it's frankly embarrassing in the big 2026. Multiple sources have already changed it (Aus Gov, NYT, etc.) so might as well Theskieshface0 (talk) 04:03, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

You proved a great point with that, Wikipedia has a reputation of being sluggish on country name changes. And also explaining that multiple sources changed it proves the point that the name should be changed. FlamingMingo 🦩 16:22, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support: Unlike, say, Turkey/Türkiye, Naoero is a very small country infrequently referenced casually in English-language media, and official sources have already switched over to the new name. We should move with the herd on this one. -Kudzu1 (talk) 18:52, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

  how does the size of the country in question factor into what name we should use? official sources are also not independent when it comes to names and refer to Turkey as Türkiye. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 19:14, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

  Support moving to Naoero. The country’s official language is English, so the comparisons to Turkey/Türkiye don’t even make sense - the name of the country in English now *is* Naoero. If someone officially changes their name Wikipedia immediately changes it on the article, the same should be applied here. And it’s true that hardly anyone writes about Naoero at all outside the country, so waiting for a bunch of news articles in America to start using Naoero will mean waiting forever because simply not many articles are written about the country in America at all per year. And yes, the fact that official International Organizations already changed the name is exactly what Wikipedia rules say should be taken into consideration to make the move. Alofi Niue (talk) 03:00, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

Oppose

The name was just "officially" changed and does not mean that it is now all of a sudden commonplace in English usage. Even though Turkey is officially called Türkiye, the name change is not engrained into usage, as old spellings remain common. The new name is just the Nauruan word for Nauru, the English name remains. TheDeredzh (talk) 09:32, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

Oppose: Wikipedia can only work with what sources are there, and at the moment, the only sources I can find that are using the name "Naoero" are government sources and sources talking about the name change. There isn't any telling whether non-governmental sources will continue using the name when talking about Nauru otherwise, so we will have to wait until that occurs(if it does) to make a name change. Until then, I think the current lead (Nauru, officially Naoero) will work. Map Enjoyer (talk) 22:29, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

This discussion is nonsensical. If the UK tomorrow changed its official name to United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland, Wikipedia would make the change the same day - as is correct, since it is an English-speaking country that changed its name in English. When anyone changes their name, Wikipedia immediately follows suit. It’s just the same here: of course this article should already reflect that Nauru is now called Naoero. Alofi Niue (talk) 23:18, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

That's why we have the articles United States of America, Commonwealth of Australia, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Republic of India ... oh wait! Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 23:45, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

Yes, and we also have a total of how many country articles with a common name that is not PART of the official name? Oh wait, zero? Alofi Niue (talk) 00:12, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

there are several examples of that actually. Taiwan (not Republic of China), Ivory Coast (not Côte d'Ivoire), Turkey (not Türkiye), and Cape Verde (Not Cabo Verde) PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 00:16, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

Also Greece, South Korea, North Korea. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 00:35, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

and also Saint Kitts and Nevis, Transnistria, and the official spelling of Vietnam has a space PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 00:57, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

also Laos doesn't have a s in it's official name Phudeptrai47540370870 (talk) 23:55, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

Consider reading wp:commonname, it documents how we are supposed to name places here. A name is useful as a word you use to call something, so names should generally be what most reliable sources would call the subject, even if you think that the name is wrong. Map Enjoyer (talk) 01:39, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

Not what they would call it, but what they do. Errantios (talk) 14:00, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for wording it better Map Enjoyer (talk) 23:38, 9 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose per WP:COMMONNAME, of which there is no evidence given of a wide-spread change in common use of independent secondary sources yet per WP:NAMECHANGES. We don't follow WP:OFFICIALNAMES, just because, and many sources cited in support are non-independent government/diplomatic sources which will follow the official name in all situations, or the sources are on the name change itself not routinely in general use. Although this will probably be one of the quicker changes rather than years/decades. DankJae 20:53, 10 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)

my thoughts exactly. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 19:46, 4 August 2026 (UTC)

User:Tbhotch cites Reliability of Wikipedia for "explaining that Wikipedia is not, and must not be, a reliable source". As I understand that article, it notes both that the open and anonymous editing of Wikipedia comes at a cost to reliability and that, even so, the reliability of Wikipedia is useably high. The article has a hatnote "For Wikipedia's own standpoint on reliability, see Wikipedia:General disclaimer', which states: "Wikipedia cannot guarantee the validity of the information found here". Of course: in view of the legal risks, does any work of reference give such a guarantee? So, "is not ... a reliable source" is a stronger statement than is supported by either article. And then "must not be ... a reliable source" does not seem to come from either article at all. My understanding of Wikipedia is that almost all editors attempt maximum reliability, including ensuring short shrift for the few who do not.

In the present case, where there is reliable evidence that the country's name has changed—evidence now included in Nauru#Name and etymology—to refuse to act on that evidence seems to be to insist upon unreliability. WP:COMMONNAME, as I have said here, appears to address a situation where there are arguable alternatives. WP:NAMECHANGES I think is satisfied by those sources, reinforced by other sources that are being added during this conversation. Errantios (talk) 13:37, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

There is yet to be a single reliable source cited in this conversation that uses the new name (excluding those about the name change) while on the other hand several sources from after the name change have been cited that sill use the old name. both WP:COMMONNAME and WP:NAMECHANGES have not been satisfied. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 15:44, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

The WP:COMMONNAME argument in such geographic cases looks spurious to me - it's evident that all reliable sources so far are from before the official name change, so citing the prevalence of technically outdated RS doesn't make much sense. When after some time, say one year, more sources will emerge, then we can objectively gauge which one is common name and which one is not. Brandmeister ^talk 23:13, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

• Support close for now, then re-open the right way - This RM was severly malformed. It was a discussion. After the discussion was in place for awhile, someone added a RM template at the top even though much of the discussion was not RM related but might appear to be if you don't know the history of the late addition of the template. We could then re-start the RM as soon as tomorrow, day after tomorrow, or next week or whenever you want. Vanguard10 (talk) 08:03, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

Close - this is a complete waste of time. Wheatley2 (speak to me) (watch me) 16:35, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

Comment - Somebody, please close this! I will just reinstate my opinion - things like this show the complete inept nature of Wikipedia's administrative system, despite the many goods. Things like this last for way over the time due. It's only made worse when administrators and high-ranking editors are quite literally aware of the fact that this move template was placed here fraudulently, but refuse to take any action to close this discussion due to matters of "consensus", which will never come until every editor on this site chooses to speak on the matter of Nauru.

The RM system enabled not 1, or 2, or 3, or even 4, but 5 RM's on Turkey's page to move to Türkiye, and these move requests on Turkey's page did not stop even after a 1 year moratorium, after which they predictably started up once again. This also has occurred on Ivory Coast's page multiple times. Wikipedia always shows its bureaucratic mazes eventually - and this is one of the issues tangled in the federation-esque labyrinth of bureaucrats, admins, and rules, that Wikipedia fails to simplify for both newcomers and also the benefit of all of its editors.

The arguments for the move will never end and also seem to be extremely ill-informed on how WP:COMMONNAME works on top of this. Wheatley2 (speak to me) (watch me) 00:14, 9 August 2026 (UTC)

Current uses of Naoero

I am looking for uses of Nauru after August 1 or Naoero now. I see my first hit:

https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/naoero/naoero-country-brief

https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/australia-and-pacific/nauru

https://fj.usembassy.gov/routine-alert-no-flights-in-or-out-of-naoero-formerly-nauru-u-s-embassy-suva-fiji-july-31-2026/

https://fj.usembassy.gov/ (stating U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Naoero, and Tuvalu )

I have not yet voted for the RM, in part, because it is malformed, altering a discussion with a RM template after the discussion was started but putting the template first.

Vanguard10 (talk) 01:45, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

keep in mind these are all diplomatic sources that will obviously use the official name so should not be considered when determining the common name. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 01:53, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

Such a statement is in DIRECT contradiction to WP:COMMONNAME, which states (italics added) "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..." I just report the facts. If I see anybody else, including a government use "Nauru" in August 2026 or later, I will report it! EDIT: See the United Nations immediately below. Vanguard10 (talk) 07:58, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

Sources from governments and international organizations when it comes to names are not WP:INDEPENDENT so they cannot be considered reliable. PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 16:23, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

If the United Nations is not an independent source for a member country's name (https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states#gotoN), I'm not sure what could be. Errantios (talk) 00:08, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

Just want to add https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/destinations/inside-naoeros-90000-citizenship-offer-including-extra-fees-background-checks-and-visa-free-travel/articleshow/132909866.cms to your list. Not sure if it fits but it seems like it does. Linux_Luvver@root:~$_sowidawity (blab) 11:03, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

I love how that source changes from Nauru to Naoero to Nauru to Naoero: "Inside Naoero's $90,000 citizenship offer ... The Pacific island nation of Nauru, which recently officially changed its name to the Republic of Naoero ... These programmes generally require higher financial contributions than Nauru’s scheme ... applicants who complete a four-stage screening process can obtain Nauruan citizenship ... citizenship does not provide holders with the right to buy land in Nauru ... According to climate monitoring data, sea levels around Naoero ... an earlier citizenship programme operated by Naoero. Tbhotch^™ (CC BY-SA 4.0) 19:09, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

I know I just thought it would still be worth mentioning. Linux_Luvver@root:~$_sowidawity (blab) 19:54, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

• Comment and strong support: UN changed the name, the sources from the name change and after are calling the country Naoero. Common name should be taken into account but not blindly. And yeah, the same should be happen and in the case of Türkiye. We have not the right to reproduce things to be closer to the "more familiar" name. What happened with Eswatini, which was/is known as Swaziland, should happen here too. Also, the “closing for now” with the rationale of “consensus” is biased and unjustified: there is no consensus, I see that many users support the change. Hellenic Rebel (talk) 08:03, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

  Brazil’s official guidelines also were updated to say that the name of the country in English is now Naoero, long form Republic of Naoero - page 154 here: https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/arquivos/manual-de-redacao Alofi Niue (talk) 16:42, 7 August 2026 (UTC)

  The government of a single country changing how they call this country is not enough to justify renaming. It needs to become the most common name used by reliable, independent sources. See WP:COMMONNAME. Thiago Rodrigues30 (talk) 17:03, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

• Oppose for now. We need to wait and see how sources react. O.N.R. ^(talk) 01:35, 9 August 2026 (UTC)
• Strong support. Competed at the Commonwealth Games as Naoero. It is what it is.

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Semi-protected edit request on 5 August 2026

At the start of the second paragraph it says "Settled by Micronesians circa 1000 BCE", but I think it would be clearer if it said "First settled by Micronesians circa 1000 BCE" AHHH938hj (talk) 00:38, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

 Done Day Creature (talk) 20:05, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

South Ossetia and Abkhazia

On 30 July 2026, the government of Naoero withdrew its' recognition of South Ossetia and Abkhazia (source). As the page is edit protected, can this information please be updated? ~2026-42966-01 (talk) 04:54, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Done. Errantios (talk) 11:17, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Wikipedia Page Name Change

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

---

I highly suggest that the new name of the page should be called “Naoero” instead of its deadname “Nauru”, because it’s more respectful to the people, to be honest. Erpagitheeditor (talk) 18:21, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

see the requested move discution above PharaohCrab speak𓀁 works𓀨 18:34, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

Ok thanks. Erpagitheeditor (talk) 19:38, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

it should be called "Naoreo(Nauru) Debug4jItem (talk) 16:54, 10 August 2026 (UTC)

• Naoero

Debug4jItem (talk) 16:57, 10 August 2026 (UTC)

Hey, good idea. Erpagitheeditor (talk) 23:18, 10 August 2026 (UTC)

Respecting the people is not the first priority here, because you might as well say the same during the debate of renaming Turkey to “Türkiye” or Ivory Coast to “Côte d’Ivoire”. See, the point is that “Naoero” is just not too prevalent for the time being and well into the forseeable future, and that “Nauru” is something society is accustomed to, which we call WP:COMMONNAME . Just read the discussion above for more. ~2026-43136-86 (talk) 22:37, 5 August 2026 (UTC)

The trouble is that Wikipedia is not just a neutral observer, it is so actively influential that it defines what the WP:COMMONNAME is and then pretends to follow a consensus that it manufactured. Perhaps we should be more concerned with reality than ochlocracy. Ex nihil ^(talk) 11:32, 10 August 2026 (UTC)

CLOSED. This discussion mistakenly continues in a new section the discussion in #Requested move 3 August 2026, which has now been closed. This continuation should also be regarded as closed. Errantios (talk) 23:33, 10 August 2026 (UTC)

The fact that the requested move discussion above has been closed does not mean that discussion of the issue is prohibited outside the requested-move process. Obviously, it is inappropriate for anything claiming to be an encyclopedia to use an incorrect name and, moreover, display it as the title of a Featured Article. The policy of using common names as article titles is clearly outdated, obsolete, problematic and generally contrary to the very nature of an encyclopedia. There will always be a relatively small group of editors who block moves in cases like this by blindly invoking that particular policy provision, probably more to make their position appear defensible and game the system by relying on the policy than to serve encyclopedic accuracy. ΘΘεοχάρης (talk) 13:31, 11 August 2026 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Add Pronunciation

Please add the IPA for this word so readers know how to say it.~2026-43190-88 (talk) 11:05, 6 August 2026 (UTC)

There is IPA, its in the ^[c] right after the first word. Sometimes Wikipedia will do this (sending pronunciation guides to the Notes/Footnotes sections) whenever the pronunciation guide in question would be too long and unwieldy to both fit in the main text and look good. Hugo P. Behrmann (☎) 23:23, 8 August 2026 (UTC)

The new name doesn’t appear to have one. It has the spelling in the Nauruan language but not IPA. (Look in ^[d]) Mitchsavl (talk) 05:14, 12 August 2026 (UTC)

The native name "Naoero" has IPA under [c], but [d] doesn’t. The name that [d] clarifies is not the new name, but just the full proper name, same as "France" is more properly "the French Republic". It could still use IPA, but I don’t think that that’s what anyone was referring to. Hugo P. Behrmann (☎) 20:40, 12 August 2026 (UTC)

Oh, okay. Mitchsavl (talk) 03:02, 13 August 2026 (UTC)