Google Maps will rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Mount Denali to Mount McKinley in the U.S., following President Trump's executive orders. These changes will take effect once updated in the Geographic Names Information System. The renaming has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including opposition from Indigenous groups and international figures.
Google Maps users in the United States will soon notice significant changes in the naming of two prominent geographical features: the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali. Following executive orders from President Donald Trump, these landmarks will be renamed the Gulf of America and Mount McKinley, respectively. The changes will be implemented once the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) updates its listings, reflecting the new official names. This decision has stirred reactions both domestically and internationally, highlighting the intersection of politics, heritage, and technology.
In one of his first executive actions, President Donald Trump ordered the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Mount Denali to Mount McKinley. These changes are part of a broader initiative to honor American heritage and historical figures. Trump emphasized the importance of these renamings in his inaugural address, stating, "America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth" [1]. The renaming of Mount Denali to Mount McKinley is intended to honor former President William McKinley, who Trump credits with significant contributions to the nation's economic prosperity through tariffs [2].
Google has confirmed that it will update its Maps service to reflect these name changes once the GNIS updates its official listings. This aligns with Google's longstanding practice of applying name changes based on official government sources. "When that happens, we will update Google Maps in the U.S. quickly to show Mount McKinley and Gulf of America," Google stated in a social media post [3]. The changes will be visible only to U.S. users, while international users will see both the new and original names. This practice ensures that local naming conventions are respected globally [4].
The renaming decisions have sparked various reactions. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum humorously suggested renaming North America as "América Mexicana" in response to Trump's order [1]. In Alaska, Indigenous groups and Senator Lisa Murkowski have opposed the renaming of Denali, emphasizing its cultural significance and historical usage by Alaska's Koyukon Athabascans. "Our nation's tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska's Koyukon Athabascans, who have stewarded the land since time immemorial," Murkowski stated [2]. The Associated Press has decided to maintain the original names in its reporting, acknowledging both the historical and new names [5].
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and Mount Denali has highlighted the complexities involved in altering geographical names, especially those with significant historical and cultural importance. While President Trump's executive orders aim to celebrate American heritage, they have also prompted discussions on the impact of such changes on international relations and Indigenous communities. As Google prepares to implement these changes on its Maps platform, the debate over the appropriateness and implications of these renamings continues.
"America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth." - Donald Trump
"Our nation's tallest mountain, which has been called Denali for thousands of years, must continue to be known by the rightful name bestowed by Alaska's Koyukon Athabascans." - Lisa Murkowski