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Google Maps has renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users in the United States, following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The update, which applies only to US-based users, has ignited controversy, drawing mixed reactions from global leaders, historians, and digital platforms.
The executive order instructs federal agencies and digital mapping services to adopt the new name, aligning with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to reinforce ‘American identity’ in geographic names. Google responded by updating its US platform to reflect the change, while maintaining ‘Gulf of Mexico’ for international users.
For those accessing Google Maps from outside the US, both names now appear: ‘Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).’ The company confirmed that it determines which name to display based on the user’s device location and search preferences.
While Google has complied with the order, other platforms have been slower to adopt the change. Apple Maps has yet to implement it, instead redirecting searches for ‘Gulf of America’ to the traditional name. MapQuest and OpenStreetMap have not made any modifications, while Waze, also owned by Google, lists both names but does not recognise ‘Gulf of America’ in search results.
The move has sparked criticism from Mexican officials, with President Claudia Sheinbaum stating that Mexico will continue recognising the original name and urging international organisations to do the same. The change also raises questions about whether global institutions such as the United Nations and National Geographic Society will adopt the revised nomenclature.
This renaming is part of a wider push by Trump to revise geographic names linked to American history. Alongside this change, his executive order also calls for Mount Denali to be reverted to Mount McKinley, its previous name before a 2015 decision by the Obama administration.
The long term impact of these changes remains uncertain, particularly as naming conventions in international waters are not dictated by any single country. However, the Gulf of America controversy highlights the influence of political decisions on digital platforms and global navigation systems.
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