'Gulf of Mexico' to become 'Gulf of America' on Google Maps

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced that the Gulf of Mexico in the southern United States will be renamed the Gulf of America on January 24, 2025. In response, Google announced that it would reflect the name change in Google Maps, in accordance with its practice of 'applying name changes to Google Maps when the government's official name is changed.'

We've received a few questions about naming within Google Maps. We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources.

— News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle)

January 27, 2025

Google Maps update: Gulf of America, Mount McKinley will be in after Trump orders name changes | Fox Business
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/google-maps-gulf-america-mount-mckinley-after-trump-orders-name-changes

Shortly after taking office on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico.

Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness – The White House
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-names-that-honor-american-greatness/

'In recognition of its thriving economic resources, from fisheries to oil and natural gas, and their vital importance to our economy and people, I am directing that this bay be officially renamed 'American Gulf,'' President Trump said.

In addition, Denali (6,190m above sea level), the highest peak in North America, is scheduled to be reverted to its former name, McKinley. The mountain was called 'Mount McKinley' after William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. However, in 2015, then-President Obama renamed it 'Denali,' after an indigenous word meaning 'big mountain' or 'great one.'

'In 2015, the Obama Administration removed McKinley's name from the federal naming system, an affront to the life, accomplishments and sacrifice of President McKinley,' President Trump said. 'In order to protect American interests and recognize McKinley's historical legacy, I am directing that the name be changed back to Denali.'

By Maureen

According to Google, the name change will occur when the government-provided Geographical Name Information System (GNIS) is updated.

When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the US quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America.

— News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025

Google also said that when a landmark's official name differs between countries, Google Maps users will see the official name in their own country, while users in other countries will see both names. Google will do the same for the Bay of America and McKinley.

Also longstanding practice: When official names vary between countries, Maps users see their official local name. Everyone in the rest of the world sees both names. That applies here too.

— News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) January 27, 2025