Google Maps has officially changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” for U.S. users. This alteration comes on the heels of Executive Order 14172, signed by United States President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, requiring that all federal agencies use the revised name. The move has brought about global backlash, with outright opposition from Mexico and political reactions divided across party lines.
The renaming was made official after the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) revised its records in line with the executive order. Google, which uses GNIS for naming, quickly revised its maps to include the change. U.S. users now view “Gulf of America,” while Mexican users still view “Gulf of Mexico.” International users in other parts of the world view both names, with “Gulf of Mexico” listed first, followed by “Gulf of America” in parentheses.
The action is part of the Trump administration’s larger effort to “restore names that honor American Greatness,” the White House said in a statement. President Trump also proclaimed February 9 as “Gulf of America Day,” calling for Americans to mark the renaming with patriotic exercises.
Google has defended itself, saying it merely adheres to official government sources in updating the names of places. “Google Maps updates its names based on recognized geographical databases, and this change reflects recent updates made by GNIS,” said a spokesman.
But the rebranding has provoked instant criticism from Mexican authorities. President Claudia Sheinbaum forcefully denounced the move, saying that it is a breach of international law. She referred to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which restricts a country’s territorial jurisdiction to 12 nautical miles from its shore. “The United States cannot unilaterally rename an international body of water,” she said in a press conference, demanding that Google reverse the move.
Though Google Maps has made the switch, the other prominent mapping services have not. Apple Maps and Waze (owned by Google) still read “Gulf of Mexico,” with no word on whether they will take up the new designation. Experts attribute the reluctance of other sites to the political nature of the decision and possible repercussions from global users.
This is not the first instance of a U.S. administration trying to rename a significant geographic landmark. The executive order also contains measures to rename North America’s highest mountain, previously called Mount Denali, to its former name, Mount McKinley. But as yet, Google Maps has not made the change.
Geographic names have traditionally been a subject of political disagreement. The Persian Gulf, which is sometimes called the “Arabian Gulf” by Middle Eastern nations, has been a decades-long contentious issue. Similarly, the rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico has emerged as a potential source of greater geopolitical conflict between the U.S. and Mexico.
Public reactions have been divided. American proponents of the renaming say that it is a show of national pride and historical attachment to U.S. domain along the Gulf. “We should have done this years ago. It’s time to assert our influence,” one Twitter user posted.
In the meantime, Mexican nationals and expats have been venting their anger, seeing the name change as a misuse of U.S. authority. “This is a blow to the sovereignty and history of Mexico,” posted another social media commentator. Protesters took to the streets in Mexico City, calling on international bodies to step in. The renaming has put additional stress on an already complicated relationship between Mexico and the U.S. Diplomatic relations have increased tensions, with Mexican authorities looking into legal avenues to dispute the decision. The action also brings up larger questions regarding the role of private tech companies in political conflicts and their role in managing international naming conventions.
