Google is moving forward with changes to its mapping services following an executive order from former President Donald Trump, which renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico. Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty

The decision comes after President Trump announced plans to rename the body of water during his inaugural address on January 20.

Despite scepticism from critics, Trump swiftly signed a number of executive orders, including one outlining the directive to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The order argues for rebranding geographic features to “honor the contributions of visionary and patriotic Americans,” as reported by The Guardian.

In the executive order, the Gulf is described as “an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation” and “a crucial artery for America’s early trade and global commerce”. As a result, Trump can now change the name of the Gulf on official US government documents.

As such, the U.S. Coast Guard has begun referring to the body of water as the Gulf of America in official communications and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has already adopted the new name in state legislation regarding weather and environmental policy.

Now, the update will soon be reflected on Google Maps, aligning with the Trump administration’s new directive.

Google will reflect the change… but there’s a catch. Credit: Olly Curtis/Future via Getty Images

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Google clarified its position, saying it has a “longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.”

The tech giant noted that the alteration will take effect once the Geographic Names Information System, a federal database tracking place names, implements the update.

But There Is A Catch to the Name Change

Despite the updates, Google clarifies that these changes will only be visible to users in the United States.

Trump has some big plans. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty

“When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name,” Google explained. “Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too.”

The move has already ignited controversy, with supporters arguing that it reaffirms American heritage, while critics see it as a politically driven reversal of past acknowledgments of Indigenous and international names.

Nonetheless, despite the change, it has been far from globally accepted, due to the fact that Trump cannot force companies or other nations to follow suit and adopt the name change.

The Mexican President has waved away the notion of renaming the body of water. Credit: Manuel Velasquez/Getty

For example, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the change outright, stating: “For us, it is still the Gulf of Mexico, and for the entire world it is still the Gulf of Mexico.”

The UK government also confirmed it would not adopt the new name.

According to The Telegraph, the name will not change on British maps unless the term “Gulf of America” becomes the dominant usage in the English language.

A government source explained that the name “cannot be universally changed by a single country”.

Denali to Be Rebranded as Mount McKinley Again

In addition to renaming the Gulf, Trump’s order also revokes a 2015 decision by former President Barack Obama that renamed Mount McKinley — the tallest peak in North America — to its traditional Indigenous name, Denali.

Trump has also ordered the renaming of Mt. Denali back to Mt. McKinley. Credit: Lance King/Getty

Under the executive action, the mountain will revert to Mount McKinley, in honor of the 25th US president.

Trump’s executive order, signed just days after taking office last week, justifies the move by stating it is intended to “honor American greatness.”

“It is in the national interest to promote the extraordinary heritage of our Nation and ensure future generations of American citizens celebrate the legacy of our American heroes,” the order reads.

Trump Calls Obama’s Decision an “Affront”

The order directly takes aim at Obama’s 2015 renaming of McKinley, calling it “an affront to President McKinley’s life, his achievements, and his sacrifice.” The document goes on to draw parallels between McKinley and Trump, noting that the former president “championed tariffs” and was assassinated “in an attack on our Nation’s values and our success.”

As for the Gulf, the administration’s order cites its economic significance to the U.S. as justification for its new designation, stating:

“Trump is directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.”

As previously mentioned, the order mandates that all federal maps and government documents reflect the renaming going forward.