Google Maps has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users in the United States, following a federal directive issued by former President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.
The change stems from Executive Order 14172, part of an effort to reintroduce historically U.S.-centric place names.
As mandated, the update was recorded in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which serves as the federal government’s official database for geographic names. This decision has stirred cross-border reactions and drawn criticism from Mexico, which shares the Gulf as a vital economic resource.
Users in the U.S. now see the Gulf of America reflected in Google Maps, while international users encounter the original name with “Gulf of America” in parentheses. Mexican users, however, continue to see only the Gulf of Mexico, a distinction that aligns with Google’s regional naming policy.
The company explained in its official announcement that geographic labels shown on Google Maps are determined by a user’s location, which is identified through device settings, SIM cards, and network configurations.
Political and Historical Context Behind the Name Change
The executive order signed by Trump on his first day back in office also reversed other naming decisions, including restoring the name of Mount McKinley, which had been changed to Denali during the Obama administration.
According to the GNIS entry for the Gulf of America, the update was carried out in accordance with Secretary’s Order 3423. The GNIS notes: “The Gulf of America, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico, reflects directives outlined in Secretary’s Order 3423 directing the Board on Geographic Names to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.”
This renaming effort, described by Trump’s administration as a means to “restore American pride,” has drawn mixed reactions. The Gulf of America spans over 600,000 square miles, bordering the southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. It plays a critical role in trade, energy production, and environmental conservation, making the naming change a politically sensitive issue.
How Google Implemented the Renaming
Google Maps swiftly adopted the new name following the GNIS update. The platform’s regional naming policy ensures users see geographic labels that correspond to their location.
Desktop users encounter the Gulf of America name based on their browser’s region settings, while mobile users see names tailored to their operating system locale, SIM card, and network data.
Google clarified this approach in its announcement, stating: “The names you see in the Maps app are based on your country location, which is determined by information from your phone’s operating system (e.g., iOS and Android), including your SIM, network, and locale.”
Google-owned Waze, however, reflects the change inconsistently. Searches for “Gulf of Mexico” on Waze display both the original name and the Gulf of America, while searches for “Gulf of America” yield no results. This discrepancy highlights the challenges of implementing politically motivated changes across platforms with different technical infrastructures.
Cross-Border Reactions and Mexican Opposition
The renaming of the Gulf has drawn sharp criticism from Mexico, where officials view the change as politically motivated and detrimental to the shared significance of the Gulf of Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the controversy surrounding the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico during a press conference on Thursday, where she presented a formal letter sent to Google, emphasizing the importance of the Gulf as a joint resource for both nations. The Gulf supports vital industries, including fishing, tourism, and energy production, which further underscores its international importance.
Sheinbaum explained, “In the case of Mexico, where are we completely sovereign? In the area established as 12 nautical miles from the coastline, and this applies to all countries worldwide.”
Sheinbaum also emphasized that any renaming beyond this territorial boundary holds no legal validity under international maritime laws. “If a country wants to change the designation of something in the sea, it would only apply up to 12 nautical miles. It cannot apply to the rest, in this case, the Gulf of Mexico. This is what we explained in detail to Google,” she stated, underscoring Mexico’s stance in its communication with the tech giant.
Revisiting a previous counterproposal made to former President Donald Trump, Sheinbaum also highlighted an alternative suggestion. “In the end, we requested that when someone searches for ‘América Mexicana’ in the search engine, the map we previously presented should appear,” she said, referencing Mexico’s own proposal to reshape geographic representations on digital platforms.
The reaction highlights the broader geopolitical tensions associated with the renaming. While the United States has implemented the change through its federal systems, Mexico has resisted acknowledging the Gulf of America name, reflecting a fundamental disagreement over the cultural and political implications of the move.
How Other Mapping Platforms Have Responded
Despite Google’s swift compliance with the federal order, other mapping platforms have taken a more cautious approach. Apple Maps, for instance, continues to display only “Gulf of Mexico” and returns no results for searches using “Gulf of America.”
Similarly, MapQuest retains the original name without any reference to the renaming effort. These differences highlight how tech platforms handle politically sensitive changes differently, reflecting varying levels of alignment with federal directives.
Google’s decision to comply with GNIS updates underscores its reliance on federally standardized naming conventions, but the inconsistent adoption across platforms points to broader challenges in balancing global consistency with local compliance. The disparity between Google Maps and other platforms has left users with conflicting representations of the same geographic feature.
GNIS: The Engine Behind U.S. Geographic Naming
The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, serves as the authoritative source for federal geographic naming standards. Established to eliminate discrepancies in place names across U.S. government systems, the GNIS has become a critical reference for businesses and mapping platforms like Google Maps.
The recent update for the Gulf of America is a prime example of how GNIS changes can ripple across digital and physical landscapes, affecting how millions of users perceive geography.
While GNIS updates are typically uncontroversial, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico has highlighted how politically motivated changes can influence public perception. Google’s reliance on GNIS data ensures compliance with U.S. standards, but this alignment has drawn scrutiny from international stakeholders, particularly in Mexico.
Broader Implications for Digital Cartography
The Gulf of America renaming raises important questions about the role of digital cartography in reflecting political and cultural identities. As platforms like Google Maps and Apple Maps become essential tools for navigation and education, the decisions they make about geographic labels carry significant weight.
The case illustrates how tech companies must navigate the delicate balance between adhering to local standards and maintaining global consistency.
