Google Maps is making a notable change: the Gulf of Mexico will soon be renamed to the Gulf of America. This update follows an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, requiring certain places of national significance to be renamed to honor the country’s history and values. This name shift will be visible to U.S. users first, while Mexico will retain the Gulf of Mexico name locally. But will Apple Maps follow suit? Let’s explore the details.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Changing Names
Google has confirmed that it will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on its maps after officially being recorded in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). According to a Google spokesperson, the company adheres to official government naming updates, so once the change is made in GNIS, it will also be reflected on Google Maps.
This shift comes after President Trump signed an executive order mandating that the Department of the Interior change the names of certain “national treasures” in the U.S. The Gulf of Mexico, along with Mount Denali, will now be known by new names — Gulf of America and Mount McKinley, respectively. However, these names will not be uniformly applied worldwide.
Implications for Google Maps Users
While U.S. users will start seeing Gulf of America, Google Maps will ensure that people in Mexico continue to see the Gulf of Mexico. If users are outside these regions, they will see both names displayed. This approach respects local naming conventions while complying with the official U.S. government changes.
The dual naming system is already in practice for areas where multiple countries have different official names. For instance, Mount Everest has different names depending on the country. This new naming system ensures consistency while respecting regional identities.
Political Influence and Other Tech Giants’ Response
The name change stems from President Trump’s initiative to honor “visionary and patriotic Americans” from the nation’s history. The executive order, signed on January 20, includes a 30-day window for the Department of the Interior to make the official name changes. This was part of a concerted effort by Trump, including moves on social media regulations, TikTok bans, and AI safety measures.
The changes have raised questions about how other companies, particularly Apple Maps, will respond. Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas tweeted at Apple CEO Tim Cook the day after Trump’s inauguration, questioning why Apple Maps had not yet updated its maps. A Community Note attached to the tweet clarified that since the executive order was signed on January 20, Apple would likely have to wait for the Interior Secretary to finalize the change.
Why It Matters
The name change is not just a semantic shift. It reflects broader debates about how countries memorialize their past and represent national pride. Naming geographic features after political figures or historical moments is a way to shape national identity and assert influence over global perceptions.
As global maps, search engines, and navigation services play an integral role in our daily lives, changes like these spark conversations about history, geography, and politics in the digital age. Whether or not Apple Maps adopts the change is yet to be seen, but this decision will likely reflect broader trends in how tech companies manage cultural and political issues.
TF Summary: What’s Next
As the Gulf of Mexico becomes the Gulf of America in Google Maps, the world watches how other tech giants, such as Apple, will handle the change. While the renaming reflects a political move by Trump’s administration, it has significant implications for how digital maps navigate the intersection of local laws and global naming conventions. The future of this naming shift could impact similar discussions for other iconic landmarks and features across the globe.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech.