Caleb Qwofi Right
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Google has announced that it will update its mapping service, Google Maps, to rename the “Gulf of Mexico” to “Gulf of America” for users within the United States. This change follows an executive order by President Donald Trump, which officially renamed the body of water for domestic use.
For geographic features in the U.S., this is when Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is updated. https://t.co/3NYvU7Bxjq
— News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025
The update will be implemented once the U.S. Geographic Names System officially reflects the name change. Google has confirmed that this alteration will only affect users in the U.S., while Mexican users will continue to see the name “Gulf of Mexico.” For users outside both countries, Google Maps will display both names to reflect the local naming conventions of each region.
This decision comes after a flurry of executive actions by Trump during his first days back in office, where he also reversed the naming of Denali back to Mount McKinley. Google’s response to these changes adheres to its policy of updating names when they are officially changed in government sources.
The renaming has sparked various reactions globally, with some viewing it as a political statement, while others see it as an extension of Google’s commitment to reflecting official geographic names. The move has also prompted discussions on how international waters should be named and recognized in digital platforms.
Google has a history of handling disputed names by showing both versions where applicable, as seen with other bodies of water like the Sea of Japan or the Persian Gulf, depending on user location. This approach aims to navigate the complexities of geopolitical naming disputes.
