President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20, 2025, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” This decision, part of the “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” initiative, aims to emphasize the gulf’s significance to the United States. With over 5000 miles of shoreline, the gulf represents Florida’s longest border.
According to the Department of The Interior, The Gulf of America, formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the most vital assets in the Nation’s history and economy. Spanning over 1,700 miles of U.S. coastline and encompassing nearly 160 million acres, the Gulf has been a critical artery for America’s trade, energy production, and maritime industries.
From its rich fisheries, which drive local economies, to its vast reserves of oil and natural gas that have fueled innovation and prosperity, the Gulf of America has consistently been a cornerstone of the Nation’s growth. Its ports rank among the largest and most impressive in the world, connecting American goods to global markets.
Trump’s executive order directs the Secretary of the Interior to update all federal maps, databases, and documents to reflect the new name within 30 days. President Trump stated that the renaming honors the gulf’s critical role in America’s economy, highlighting its contributions to oil production, fisheries, and tourism. He remarked, “The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy.”
In Florida, the renaming has elicited mixed reactions. Governor Ron DeSantis promptly adopted the new terminology, referring to the “Gulf of America” in a state emergency declaration issued shortly after the executive order.
According to a story that appeared in the Tampa Bay Times, some residents view the change as a reaffirmation of national pride, while others see it as unnecessary and potentially confusing. Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, noted, “The president can change the name officially for all the federal agencies in the government. He does not have the authority to change the name for everybody in the world, for Mexico, or anywhere else.”
The renaming could have various implications for Florida. Economically, the Gulf—by any name—is vital to the state’s fishing, tourism, and maritime industries. Rob Mellen Jr., an assistant professor at the University of South Florida, emphasized the gulf’s importance, stating, “It’s an economic boom for the United States down there, and certainly, I think that’s probably why he wants to go ahead and rename that particular body of water to reflect the fact that the American priorities and that we derive a lot of economic benefit from the area.”
However, the name change may lead to logistical challenges, such as updating educational materials, navigational charts, and marketing resources that currently use the traditional name. Google has announced that it will update the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” on its Maps platform for U.S. users, following President Donald Trump’s executive order. This change will be implemented once the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) officially updates the name. In a statement, Google explained, “We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.”
The renaming will be visible to users within the United States, while users in Mexico will continue to see the name “Gulf of Mexico.” For users outside of these two countries, both names will be displayed. This approach is in keeping with with Google’s practice of reflecting local naming conventions; for instance, the body of water between Japan and South Korea is labeled as the “Sea of Japan (East Sea)” in regions outside those countries.
In addition to the Gulf renaming, Google Maps will also update the name of North America’s highest peak from Denali to Mount McKinley, in accordance with the same executive order. These changes will take effect once the GNIS updates are made.
As of now, the GNIS has not specified an exact date for these updates. Google has committed to implementing the changes promptly following the official government updates. Users can expect to see the new names on Google Maps shortly after the GNIS revisions are completed.
Internationally, the response has been notably critical from Mexico. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reacted with a mix of amusement and reproach, asserting that for Mexico and the rest of the world, the body of water will remain the Gulf of Mexico. She stated, “He can call it whatever he wants in his territory. For us, it will always be the Gulf of Mexico.”
Sheinbaum further highlighted the name’s deep historical roots and its recognition in international agreements. The renaming has also prompted discussions among cartographers, educators, and international bodies regarding the standardization of geographic names. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names typically discourages name changes without compelling reasons, and international adherence to the new name is not guaranteed. Google announced that Google Maps would begin showing “Gulf of America” to users in the U.S., “Gulf of Mexico” to users in Mexico, and both names to users elsewhere, following updates to the Geographic Names Information System.
As the 30-day implementation period progresses, federal agencies are expected to adopt the new nomenclature in official communications. The long-term impact of this change on both domestic and international perceptions remains to be seen, as stakeholders across various sectors adapt to the updated terminology.
