In a recent update, Google Maps has renamed the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” for users in the United States, following an executive order by President Donald Trump. This change is currently visible to U.S. users on the platform.
For users in Mexico, the designation remains “Gulf of Mexico,” while international users see “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America” in parentheses. Google determines which name to display based on user location data from their mobile OS, SIM, network, or desktop search settings.
Other mapping services, such as Apple Maps and MapQuest, have not yet adopted this change. Apple Maps redirects searches for “Gulf of America” to the Gulf of Mexico, and MapQuest has not updated its maps to reflect the new name. Google-owned Waze displays both names for the Gulf of Mexico but finds no results for searches of “Gulf of America.”
This renaming initiative follows a complex process of standardizing geographic names for federal use. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) updated the name based on the executive order. President Trump also ordered the highest mountain peak in North America to be renamed from Denali back to its former name, Mount McKinley, though this change has yet to appear on Google Maps.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has stated that Mexico and the international community will continue to recognize the original name, the Gulf of Mexico.
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