Google will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico in Maps to the Gulf of America, but only for US users
Google will honour US President Donald Trump's order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The new name will soon appear on Google Maps. The company reported on the forthcoming changes related to geographical objects on its page in the social network X.
Here's What We Know
Google noted that it has a long-standing practice of changing names after updating them in official government sources. The bay's name will be changed after an update to the Geographic Names Information System, a government database of names and location data.
In addition, Mount Denali, the highest peak in the United States, will return to its previous name of McKinley on Google Maps. Former US President Barack Obama renamed the Alaskan landmark in 2015 as a sign of respect for the region's indigenous people.
Both changes will only be seen by US users. Google explained that when official names differ from country to country, Google Maps users see the official local name. Therefore, users from Mexico will still see Gulf of Mexico, but the rest of the world will see both names.
Context
US President Donald Trump ordered the renaming of said geographical locations on the first day after returning to office on 20 January 2025. This decision was met with criticism both at home and abroad. For example, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that Mexico would not recognise the new name of the bay.
Source: @NewsFromGoogle
