The Gulf of Mexico has officially been renamed the Gulf of America—at least for Google Maps users in the United States.

This change follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on February 9, 2025, aboard Air Force One. Google Maps had previously announced the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, clarifying that this modification would only be visible within the U.S., while in Mexico, the original name would remain unchanged.

The new designation took effect on Monday, February 10, 2025, the same day Trump proclaimed February 9 as “Gulf of America Day.“

Trump’s Justification for the Name Change

President Trump justified the modification by emphasizing the Gulf’s significance to the U.S. economy, citing its role in oil production, fishing, and tourism. The change aligns with Google Maps’ policy of following official geographic designations from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).

A day before the executive order, Trump declared that February 9 would be officially recognized as Gulf of America Day, applying this new name to U.S. territorial waters and the continental shelf.

“In the United States, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has officially updated ‘Gulf of Mexico’ to ‘Gulf of America.’ As previously announced, and in accordance with our standard practices, we have begun implementing changes to reflect this update. Users in the U.S. will now see ‘Gulf of America,’ while users in Mexico will continue to see ‘Gulf of Mexico.’ All other users worldwide will see both names,” Google stated in a press release.

Google also explained that the names displayed in Maps are based on a user’s geographic location, determined through their device’s operating system. For users outside the U.S. and Mexico, both names will be displayed simultaneously.

Backlash and Controversy for Google Maps Decision

This renaming has sparked significant controversy, particularly in Mexico, where government officials have voiced strong opposition. The Mexican government sent a formal letter to Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, urging the company to revert the change. Officials argued that the name alteration could cause confusion and unnecessary diplomatic tensions.

Trump had initially promised this renaming in late January as part of his broader efforts to “restore American pride.” Before heading to New Orleans for the Super Bowl, he highlighted the importance of the decision, stating, “Today, I make my first visit to the Gulf of America since its renaming. As my administration works to restore American greatness, it is fitting that our great nation gathers to commemorate this historic moment.“

While the U.S. government and Google stand by the change, opposition continues to mount, making this a highly debated issue in diplomatic and public discourse.