In a controversial move, Google Maps renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for U.S. users, in line with a directive from the Trump administration.
The decision follows an executive order that mandates updates to several geographic names in federal databases, including the renaming of Alaska’s Denali Mountain back to its former name, Mount McKinley.
Google follows official U.S. naming policy
Google announced the changes on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.” The company updated Google Maps after the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) reflected the modifications ordered by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Denali, North America’s highest peak, was officially named Mount McKinley in 1917, but the Obama administration restored its native Alaskan name in 2015. The Trump administration’s move to revert the change has already drawn criticism, especially from some Alaskan lawmakers.
International reaction
Not all Google Maps users will see these changes. Google follows country-specific naming conventions, meaning Mexican users will still see "Gulf of Mexico", and in some cases, both names may appear side by side. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has openly criticized the decision, mocking Trump’s renaming attempt.
