In a recent update to its Maps application, Google has officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America”, aligning with a US government directive. The move follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump and a formal decision by the federal Board on Geographic Names.
A statement posted on X by Google confirmed the update, emphasising its long-standing policy of reflecting official government designations. “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources,” the company stated.
The Geographic Names Information System, managed by the United States Geological Survey, is responsible for providing official geographic names, which Google integrates into its mapping services. This update is part of a broader government initiative to rename geographic landmarks in alignment with national policies.
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As part of the same executive order, another notable change involves Alaska’s Mount Denali, which will be renamed Mount McKinley. Google has assured that this change will be implemented promptly once the name system update is complete.
Regional and International variations
Google has clarified that while the name change will be visible within the United States, international users may see both names displayed, depending on regional naming conventions. “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 explained.
This practice mirrors other geopolitical naming disputes, such as the Sea of Japan, which is labeled as the “Sea of Japan (East Sea)” in regions where naming conventions differ, USA today news agency.
Historical precedents and political context
According to the Associate Press reports, this is not the first time the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico has surfaced. In 2012, a Mississippi legislator proposed renaming the portion of the gulf adjacent to the state’s coastline as the “Gulf of America”, though the bill was never passed. Similarly, comedian Stephen Colbert once joked in 2010 that the gulf should be renamed following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, saying, “We broke it, we bought it.”
Trump’s decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico aligns with his broader stance on US-Mexico relations, which have been marked by disputes over border security and trade policies. During his presidential campaign, Trump frequently spoke about asserting American sovereignty and taking measures that reinforced national identity.
The Gulf of Mexico, sometimes referred to as America’s “Third Coast” due to its extensive U.S. shoreline, remains a crucial body of water for both the United States and Mexico. In Spanish, it is traditionally called “El Golfo de México,” AP reported.
