Google Maps to Rename Gulf of Mexico as ‘Gulf of America’ in US Following Trump’s Executive Order

Google Maps will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America for US users, following an executive order by US President Donald Trump. The change is part of a broader effort to restore names that honor American greatness. Other countries will not be required to use the new name.

Google Maps is set to make a significant change in the way it labels a major body of water in the United States. In response to an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump, Google will rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for its US users. This decision comes as part of a broader effort to restore names that honor American greatness, as outlined in Trump’s executive order.
The change will only be visible to users in the United States, while users in Mexico and the rest of the world will continue to see the Gulf of Mexico by its traditional name. This move is not mandatory for other countries, as the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) does not require formal names for navigable waters and has instead used numerical identifiers since 2020.
Google has a policy of updating names based on official government sources, specifically the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) in the United States. Once the GNIS updates its records, Google Maps will reflect the new name. This change is expected to be implemented soon, with federal maps and documents set to reflect the name change by February 19th.
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” has sparked controversy, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggesting that if the Gulf gets renamed, the United States should be called “Mexican America.” However, this change is primarily a domestic decision aimed at aligning with Trump’s vision for American identity.

Why is Google changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico?
Google is changing the name to comply with an executive order by US President Donald Trump, which aims to restore names that honor American greatness.
Will other countries recognize the new name?
No, other countries are not required to use the new name. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) uses numerical identifiers instead of formal names.
How will this change affect users outside the US?
Users outside the US will still see the Gulf of Mexico by its traditional name.
What is the significance of the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) in this context?
The GNIS is the official source for geographic names in the United States. Google updates its maps based on changes in the GNIS.
Has there been any public reaction to this change?
Yes, there has been public reaction. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum suggested renaming the United States “Mexican America” if the Gulf gets renamed.

The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America on Google Maps reflects a broader effort by the US government to restore names that honor American greatness. While this change is primarily a domestic decision, it highlights the complex interplay between national identity and geographic naming conventions.