Google Maps Update Sparks Tension Over Gulf of America and Mount McKinley Renaming by Trump Order

WCTU 13 — Google announced it would update its maps to reflect President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and restoring Mount McKinley as the official name for Denali, once the changes are made in federal databases. The company stated that it follows a “longstanding practice” of applying geographical name changes based on updates in official government sources, particularly the U.S. Geological Survey’s Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).

The executive order, signed on January 20, directed the U.S. Department of the Interior to implement the changes within 30 days. The U.S. Coast Guard has already begun using the term Gulf of America in its official communications. However, the GNIS has not yet been updated, meaning federal maps and Google Maps still display the Gulf of Mexico and Denali.

“We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources,” Google stated on X, formerly Twitter. The company confirmed that once GNIS reflects the changes, Google Maps will “quickly” follow suit for U.S. users.

Users outside the United States will see different labels based on their location. Mexican users will continue to see the Gulf of Mexico, while international users will see both names, with the Gulf of Mexico appearing first, followed by the Gulf of America in parentheses. Google has previously employed similar dual-labeling for other disputed geographical names, such as the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) and the Sea of Japan (East Sea).

Apple has not responded to inquiries about whether its Maps application will adopt the new names. The Associated Press stated that it would recognize the change to Mount McKinley but would continue referring to the Gulf of Mexico by its longstanding name, citing the need for clarity in global reporting.

Alaska’s senators oppose the renaming of Denali, arguing that its Indigenous name holds historical significance. Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reacted to the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico by suggesting that Mexico refer to the United States as "América Mexicana," a term dating back to the early 1600s.

The executive order describes the name Gulf of America as a recognition of the gulf’s economic significance. It also cites William McKinley’s presidency as a period of economic growth and territorial expansion as justification for restoring his name to the Alaskan peak.

According to Google, the map updates will occur automatically once GNIS implements the changes. “When GNIS makes the changes, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America,” the company stated.