Google Maps to Rename Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America

When President Donald Trump issued an executive order to rename the "Gulf of Mexico" the "Gulf of America", you may have thought it was just a rumor. However, The Trump administration's Interior Department announced as of Friday January 24th, the name had been officially changed.

The name change was made in addition to a plethora of other executive orders Trump instilled after taking office once again on Monday, January 20th. This decision aimed to "honor American greatness" and "promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation", according to the executive order.

During his inauguration speech, he emphasized America's position in the world, stating, "America will reclaim its rightful place as the most powerful and most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world."

While President Trump can order the U.S. Geological Survey to change the name, it likely wouldn't be recognized on an international level.

Mexico has defended the historical name "Gulf of Mexico", emphasizing its international recognition and centuries-long use as a maritime navigational reference.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum playfully countered by suggesting North America could be renamed "Mexican America", a name that appears on early regional maps.

Despite anyone disagreeing with the name change, a huge player in the tech world plans to uphold it.

Google has announced plans to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" on its Maps app for users in the United States.

Google's Response

Google is one of the world's leading providers of digital mapping services and is the most widely used in the U.S. In a study, 70% of people reported using Google Maps, compared to 25% of users who reported using Apple Maps. In 2021, Google Maps had been downloaded over 25 million times in the U.S., and in 2023, it was the most downloaded map app in the country.

So after the Gulf of America name change went into effect, Google found itself at the center of the controversy. The company's response has been measured and policy-driven. In a series of posts on X on Monday, January 27, 2025, Google shared its approach to the situation.

The tech company emphasized its "longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources".

Google clarified that the name change would not be immediate. Instead, it will be implemented once the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is officially updated.

For Google Maps users, the impact of this change will vary depending on their location. Google has stated that only users in the United States will see the new "Gulf of America" name.

Users outside the United States will continue to see the traditional "Gulf of Mexico" name, or in some cases, both names will be displayed.

What Else is Changing?

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico is not the only geographical change mandated by President Trump's executive orders. Another big name change he announced is changing the name of North America's highest peak, currently known as Denali, back to Mount McKinley.

This change has its own set of controversies. The mountain was officially designated as Denali in 2015 during President Barack Obama's administration, a decision that acknowledged the Native American heritage of the region. The reversion to Mount McKinley has been met with criticism from indigenous groups and some political figures, including Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska.

The Role of Technology in Geopolitics

Google abiding by the name change represents the large role tech companies can play in shaping our world.

As digital maps become the primary means by which we navigate and understand geography, the power to name and define places takes on new importance.

However, Google's approach is not without precedent. The company has a history of navigating complex geopolitical naming disputes. For instance, Google Maps displays different names for contested territories depending on the user's location, a policy that has been both praised for its sensitivity to local perspectives and criticized for potentially reinforcing geopolitical divisions.

The company's stated policy of following official government sources for name changes provides a clear guideline for handling such situations. However, it also raises questions about how to proceed when different governments provide conflicting information or when name changes are politically controversial.

Technical Challenges

Implementing these changes presents several technical challenges for Google. The company must ensure that the new name is displayed correctly for U.S. users across all its platforms, including mobile devices, desktop computers, and various third-party apps that use Google Maps data.

Google needs to maintain the accuracy of its search and navigation features while implementing these changes. This includes ensuring that searches for the "Gulf of Mexico" still return relevant results for U.S. users, even after the name change is implemented.

Public Reaction and User Experience

The public reaction to this change has been mixed. While some view it as a reflection of national pride, others see it as an unnecessary and potentially confusing alteration to a long-established geographical name.

For Google Maps usres, the change may initially cause some confusion, especially for those who frequently travel between the U.S. and other countries. Google will likely need to implement clear communication strategies to inform users about the change and explain why they might see different names for the same body of water depending on their location.

Gulf of America Name Change

Google's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for U.S. users of its Maps application represents a complex intersection of technology, politics, and geography. While adhering to its policy of following official government sources, Google has attempted to navigate this sensitive issue by implementing a geographically-specific solution.

It will be crucial to monitor this decision's impact on international relations, public perception, and the evolving landscape of digital cartography. The ultimate resolution of this naming dispute may set important precedents for how similar situations are handled in the future, both by tech companies and government entities.