Google Maps has controversially updated its services to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for U.S. users, showing Google’s compliance with an executive order from President Trump.
Quick Takes
- Google Maps rebrands Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America for U.S. users under Trump’s order.
- The change reflects in the U.S. Geographic Names System and federal platforms.
- Mexico disputes the change, referencing international law.
- Other mapping services like Apple Maps haven’t implemented this change.
Google’s Decision and Its Impact
Google Maps has taken a significant step to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users within the United States. This change stems from an executive order signed by President Trump shortly after taking office. Such actions emphasize the global reach and local adaptability of Google’s mapping services. While U.S. users will witness the change, Mexican users will continue to see the traditional name, Gulf of Mexico.
The change will be visible once it updates in the U.S. Geographic Names System, which has started its rollout. This transition aligns with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names officially recognizing the Gulf’s new designation. The updated naming convention reaffirms Google’s practice of reflecting official government sources in its platform.
Following Pres. Trump's executive order, Google Maps has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users in the U.S. https://t.co/Tl0XUR70ne
— ABC News (@ABC) February 11, 2025
International Reactions
In response to this change, Mexico has contested the renaming, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. This international agreement limits a nation’s territorial sea to 12 nautical miles from its coastline. Google maintains that map users outside the United States see both names depicted, mirroring its dual-naming approach seen in other geopolitical regions.
“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 said.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum humorously suggested renaming North America to “Mexican America” in response, highlighting the tensions such changes can cause on an international level. Trump’s order also aims to honor American achievements by restoring Denali’s former name, Mount McKinley.
By David Uzondu – Google has finally complied with Trump's executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The change is now visible on Maps. #GulfOfAmerica #GoogleMaps https://t.co/pc2zFQQfqC
— NeowinFeed (@NeowinFeed) February 11, 2025
Federal Movements and Wider Implications
The name change has been endorsed by federal agencies, such as the U.S. Coast Guard and the Federal Aviation Administration, which are revamping their data to align with the new designation. This legally binding change for federal entities highlights the impact of administrative orders on geographic nomenclature.
However, private companies and international mappers such as Apple Maps have yet to reflect this change, creating a disparity in digital mapping. Educational materials are also unlikely to update in the near term, reflecting the complex dynamics of these nomenclature shifts in various industries and contexts.
