Fiji, July 30 -- Nauru has officially adopted Republic of Naoero as its new official name, with the government describing the change as the beginning of renewed national pride and a return to the country's traditional identity.

Under the change, the abbreviated form of the country's name will be Naoero, the country code will change to NRO, and its people will be known as dei-Naoero.

In his opening address to Parliament on 20 July, President David Adeang said the decision followed extensive discussions on restoring the country's traditional name.

The government said a referendum was not pursued because Naoero was not a new name requiring public approval.

It said the name already forms part of the country's identity, appears on the nati...