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In a major change, Google has officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Google Maps. This update was made on Monday just before 6 p.m., following an announcement on X (formerly Twitter).
Why Did Google Change the Name?
Google stated that it follows the naming conventions set by official government sources. Since the U.S. federal Board on Geographic Names formally changed the name to the Gulf of America, Google updated it on its maps. The change was based on one of former President Donald Trump’s first executive orders.
Official Responses
U.S. Secretary Doug Burgum posted on X:
"It's official! Congratulations @POTUS on the Gulf of America! @Interior has implemented your instruction from the Executive Order on Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness. Another big win for President Trump's agenda to Make America Great Again."
It's official! Congratulations @POTUS on the Gulf of America! @Interior has implemented your instruction from the Executive Order on Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness. Another big win for President Trump's agenda to Make America Great Again. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nZtkDQTFO3
— Secretary Doug Burgum (@SecretaryBurgum) February 9, 2025
Former President Donald Trump also celebrated the renaming. While flying over the Gulf on Air Force One on Sunday to attend the Super Bowl, he declared that day as the first-ever Gulf of America Day.
Reactions from Mexico
The President of Mexico has responded by saying that Mexico will ignore the change and continue to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of Mexico. He has also urged other countries to do the same. The change does not impact how other nations name the Gulf of Mexico, but it does affect its labeling in Google Maps and official U.S. documents.
Impact of the Name Change
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has sparked discussions online. Supporters of the move see it as a patriotic decision, while critics argue it disregards historical and geographical accuracy. As Google Maps is widely used for navigation, education, and business, this update is expected to influence digital references to the Gulf worldwide.
Conclusion
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America has become a controversial topic. While it has been officially changed in U.S. records and Google Maps, many countries, including Mexico, are not accepting the new name. This decision continues to fuel debates about historical names and their political significance.
