What was Vanuatu called before independence in 1980?

Before independence, Vanuatu was known as the New Hebrides, the colonial name used for the Pacific island group until 1980.

The name New Hebrides was given by Captain James Cook in 1774, referring to the Hebrides islands off the western coast of Scotland. During the colonial era, Britain and France eventually administered the islands jointly in a distinctive arrangement called a condominium. The New Hebrides Condominium began in 1906 and maintained parallel British and French administrations.

This dual system meant that residents could encounter separate British and French institutions, including courts, schools, and officials. English, French, and local Bislama all became important languages in public life. The territory became internally self-governing in 1978.

On 30 July 1980, the New Hebrides became independent as the Republic of Vanuatu. The other options are names of different Pacific territories: German Samoa, the British Solomon Islands, and the Gilbert Islands were not earlier names for Vanuatu.