In compliance with a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump, Google Maps will soon update the Gulf of Mexico’s name to the Gulf of America for users in the United States. The change aligns with Trump’s broader initiative to preserve and emphasize American heritage and national pride.
Google has a long-standing policy of updating place names when they are officially modified by government sources. The company stated that once the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), a key federal database, incorporates the change, it will be reflected on Google Maps. This means American users will see the updated name, while international users will continue to see both names displayed.
Reversing Obama-Era Naming Decisions
The Gulf of Mexico is not the only location affected by the executive action. Google Maps will also rename Denali back to Mount McKinley, reversing a decision made by former President Barack Obama in 2015. Obama had restored the original Indigenous name, Denali, to the nation’s highest peak in Alaska, recognizing the significance of the name to the region’s Native communities.
Trump’s executive order reinstates the mountain’s former name in honor of President William McKinley, who served from 1897 to 1901 before being assassinated. The order described Obama’s decision as an affront to McKinley’s legacy, emphasizing the late president’s contributions, particularly his advocacy for protective tariffs, which Trump has also championed.
Emphasizing Economic and National Significance
The decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America highlights its economic importance to the United States. The executive order directs that all federal government maps and documents reflect the name change moving forward. This move is intended to recognize the region’s contributions to the U.S. economy, particularly in industries such as energy, trade, and fisheries.
This effort is part of a broader push to reinforce national identity and historic achievements, with Trump’s administration framing the changes as a way to ensure future generations celebrate American heritage.
Google’s Implementation Strategy
Google Maps users within the United States will be the primary audience for these changes, as Google follows a policy that displays official local names in each country. Outside of the U.S., users will continue to see both names displayed rather than a full replacement.
While Google’s updates are still pending official database modifications, the transition will take place once the GNIS finalizes the new names. The shift marks yet another instance of how geopolitical decisions influence digital maps and global perspectives, with online platforms adapting to government-driven naming conventions.
As the changes roll out, they are expected to spark discussions over historical naming rights, political influence on geographic labels, and the role of digital platforms in reflecting government policies.