On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14172, directing the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” within U.S. federal usage. Following this directive, Google Maps updated its platform to reflect the change for users in the United States. Now, when accessing Google Maps from the U.S., the body of water previously labeled as the Gulf of Mexico appears as the Gulf of America. In Mexico, the original name remains, while users in other countries see both names.
This move aligns with Google’s policy of adhering to official government name changes. Similarly, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Coast Guard have begun using “Gulf of America” in their official communications.
The renaming has sparked discussions and varying reactions. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her country and the rest of the world would continue to refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its longstanding name. Additionally, the Associated Press announced that its reports would continue to use “Gulf of Mexico” while acknowledging the new designation.
It’s important to note that this name change applies only within the United States’ federal context and does not alter the international naming conventions recognized by other nations or global organizations.
For a visual overview of this update, you can watch the following video:
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