Google is set to update its mapping services to reflect President Donald Trump's recent executive order, which mandates renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and restoring the name Mount McKinley to Denali, effective once federal government sources are updated.
On January 20, 2025, the first day of his new term, President Trump signed this executive order citing the importance of these names as part of honoring American heritage and history. This directive emphasizes the integral role of the Gulf region and aims to recognize President McKinley's contributions to U.S. development.
According to Google's statement on social media platform X, the company adheres to the practice of updating geographic names as they are reflected in government resources, especially from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which serves as the federal repository of geographical data. "We have a longstanding practice of applying name changes when they have been updated in official government sources," Google stated.
Historically, the Gulf of Mexico has been referred to as such for more than 400 years, playing a key role economically and culturally, particularly for the southern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Trump's order outlines the Gulf's significant contributions to trade and tourism and emphasizes the need for the Gulf's new designation to honor the vitality it has brought to the nation.
Launching this change has stirred discussions not only about geographical naming but also about the political significance tied to these locations. Trump referred to Mount McKinley as a symbol of American progress and prosperity during his presidency, highlighting McKinley's role in the country’s territorial expansions and economic policies. "President McKinley championed tariffs to protect U.S. manufacturing, showcasing the federal government’s commitment to industry and growth," the executive order said.
Both the Gulf and the mountain have been points of contention historically, with the renaming of Denali to Mount McKinley drawing ire from Native Alaskan groups who identify with the name Denali, which means "the high one" in the Koyukon language. Obama restored the name Denali back to its traditional nomenclature during his presidency, acknowledging Native Alaskan heritage and identity.
What does this mean for users of Google Maps? For the immediate future, users within the United States will begin seeing these changes as soon as the GNIS database is updated. Outside the U.S., users will still see the traditional names—Gulf of Mexico and Denali—because Google displays the recognized international titles based on local conventions. The statement by Google emphasized, "If the new names are not recognized internationally, the accepted names for each location will be displayed on Google Maps." This policy maintains the confusion surrounding geographic names on the global stage.
Despite this directive, reactions have been mixed. While some praise the emphasis on recognizing U.S. historical figures, critics argue it signals a disregard for indigenous identity and history. The Associated Press stated it would continue to use the Gulf of Mexico to refer to the body of water due to its longstanding history, yet also recognize the new title.
Not everyone is on board with the official name changes. Outspoken critiques emerged from both local politicians and global leaders. For example, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was quoted as saying, "For us and for the entire world it will continue to be called the Gulf of Mexico" emphasizing the international recognition of established names.
This executive order is part of broader efforts by Trump to reshape various aspects of American iconography. With both the Gulf and Mount McKinley reflecting narratives of American identity, the changes resonate deeply with political undercurrents of the current administration.
The order sets forth directives for all federal government maps and documents to reflect these naming changes. The Secretary of the Interior has 30 days to implement these changes within the GNIS.
Google has had to navigate discussions surrounding the significance of these geographical titles. The question remains: what is it about names and their meanings? The company's dedication to following official naming has brought this dilemma to the forefront.
Google’s planned updates to Maps are emblematic of the broader cultural conversations surrounding place names and the legacies they carry. The renaming of historically significant landmarks brings attention not only to current administrative decisions but also to the debates on how history is represented and memorialized.