In a controversial move, the body of water historically known as the Gulf of Mexico is now listed as the Gulf of America for users accessing Google Maps within the United States.
The change comes after an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, emphasizing “American greatness” in geographical naming conventions.
Google confirmed the update, citing its long-standing policy of aligning place names with official government designations.
“People using Maps in the US will see ‘Gulf of America,’ while users in Mexico will see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ Others will see both names,” the company stated on Monday.
This is not the first renaming effort stemming from Trump’s executive actions. A similar attempt was made to restore Mount McKinley’s name after former President Barack Obama changed it to Denali in 2015, honoring the mountain’s indigenous roots. However, as of Tuesday, Google Maps had yet to reflect the reversal of that decision.
Trump’s executive order criticized Obama’s renaming of Denali, calling it “an affront to President McKinley’s life, his achievements, and his sacrifice.” The order drew comparisons between McKinley and Trump, highlighting their shared views on tariffs and nationalism.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also acknowledged the changes, stating that it was updating official data and charts to reflect the Gulf of America renaming. The US Coast Guard, responsible for securing the nation’s maritime borders, has begun using the new name in its public notices as well.
The renaming of such significant landmarks continues to spark debate over history, heritage, and political influence in geographic designations. While supporters view these changes as a patriotic reclaiming of American identity, critics argue they erase cultural and historical ties that extend beyond the nation’s borders.
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