Google Maps Rebrands Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America (for US Users)
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Google is rolling out a name change for the body of water along America’s southern coast, swapping “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America” in its Maps app. The update follows an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office, directing federal agencies to officially rename the region on all U.S. government maps. Google, which typically aligns with these official changes, has begun the rollout so that people inside the United States see the updated name.
In Mexico, however, it remains “Gulf of Mexico,” and users elsewhere will see both labels side by side. Google says this approach balances local conventions while honoring the new U.S. designation. According to the Department of the Interior, the switch was finalized once the government’s Geographic Names Information System updated its records.
This isn’t the first time Google has shown different place names depending on a user’s location. The company employs a similar split naming system for disputed areas like the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf) in the Middle East. For now, the “Gulf of America” moniker appears to be the new normal for U.S. users—and yet another flashpoint in the ongoing debate over cartographic politics.
