Google has officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in its Maps application. This update comes in compliance with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, mandating the renaming of the body of water. The change was also confirmed by the federal Board on Geographic Names earlier this week.
Google, known for adhering to official geographic nomenclature set by government authorities, justified its decision in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources,” the tech giant stated.
We’ve received a few questions about naming within Google Maps. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.
— News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025
Government Influence on Geographic Names
The U.S. Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is responsible for providing the official names used in Google Maps. As a result, once the federal government updated its records, Google followed suit. This policy is consistent with how Google has handled other geographic name changes in the past, often deferring to national authorities to maintain consistency in cartographic references.
Notably, this is not the only recent name change making waves. In a related move, the Trump administration’s executive order also mandated that Mount Denali in Alaska revert to its previous name, Mount McKinley. Google has stated that this change will also be implemented “quickly” once GNIS updates its database.
Google’s Naming Policy and Global Precedents
This latest change is consistent with Google’s global approach to naming conventions. The company often adapts geographic names based on official government records and international agreements.
One prominent example is the ongoing dispute over the body of water between Japan and South Korea, known alternately as the Sea of Japan and the East Sea. To accommodate both perspectives, Google Maps displays the name as “Sea of Japan (East Sea)” in the United States. A similar approach is expected for the Gulf of America, meaning that users in other regions may still see the traditional name alongside the new designation.
“When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too,” Google clarified in its statement. This means that within the United States, users will predominantly see “Gulf of America,” while international users may still see “Gulf of Mexico” alongside it.
Public and Political Reactions
The decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico has been met with mixed reactions from the public and political figures. Supporters of the name change argue that it reinforces national pride and sovereignty. Others, however, criticize the move as unnecessary and politically motivated.
Critics of the decision have pointed out that the Gulf of Mexico has retained its name for centuries and that a unilateral renaming disregards historical and cultural ties to the region. Furthermore, neighboring countries such as Mexico and Cuba, which border the gulf, have not recognized the change, leading to potential diplomatic tensions.
On the domestic front, the name change has also reignited debates over geographic renaming in general. Some argue that it sets a precedent for political influence over cartographic designations, while others believe it is within a government’s right to update names as it sees fit.
What This Means for Maps Users
For the average Google Maps user, the change may be subtle but significant. Those in the United States will see the Gulf of America label by default, while international users may see both names depending on their location and the regional settings in Google Maps. Businesses and institutions that rely on geographic data may need to update their records accordingly.
Similarly, the rebranding of Mount Denali to Mount McKinley is expected to spark renewed discussion, as the name Denali was officially recognized in 2015 to honor the indigenous Koyukon Athabaskan name. The shift back to McKinley, named after President William McKinley, marks yet another politically charged geographic change.
Final Thoughts
Google’s decision to update the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the Gulf of America underscores the company’s commitment to following official government sources for geographic naming. However, the move has stirred controversy, raising questions about the role of politics in shaping geographic identities.
With Google’s vast influence over digital mapping and navigation, these changes will likely have lasting implications for users, businesses, and international relations. Whether the world will widely accept these new names or continue to recognize their historical titles remains to be seen.
For now, as Google continues to adjust its Maps application to reflect official updates, users will need to navigate these changes—both literally and figuratively.
