Google Maps to Rename Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America'

Google Maps to Reflect Landmark Name Changes

Google has announced it will update its Google Maps platform to reflect name alterations to the Gulf of Mexico and Denali mountain, once these changes are formally registered within a federal mapping database.

This action follows an executive order recently issued by President Donald Trump, which mandated the renaming of several prominent American landmarks. The U.S. Department of the Interior subsequently affirmed the official status of these name changes.

Compliance with Government Directives

“Our established policy involves implementing name modifications as soon as they are validated by official government sources,” Google stated in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The company is therefore awaiting updates to the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) before making the changes live on its platform.

Specific Name Revisions

For users within the United States, Google Maps will display the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.” This represents a completely new designation established by the Trump administration.

Furthermore, Denali, North America’s highest peak, will revert to its former name, Mount McKinley, for all Google Maps users globally.

The mountain was originally named Mount McKinley in 1917 in honor of President William McKinley. It was renamed Denali in 2015 during the Obama administration, a change that is now being reversed.

International Display Variations

However, the display of the Gulf’s name will vary internationally. Google Maps adapts geographic names based on each country’s official designation for its citizens.

Consequently, users in Mexico will continue to see the Gulf of Mexico, as the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has publicly criticized the proposed name change.

In other nations, Google Maps will present both the American and Mexican names for the gulf concurrently.

Current Status and Timeline

The implementation of these changes is contingent upon the update of the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).

While the Interior Department declared the name changes official on Friday, the GNIS database still currently lists the Gulf as the Gulf of Mexico and Denali as Denali as of Monday evening.

Google will proceed with the updates once the GNIS reflects these official alterations.